Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026
CACHE Challenges
Computational drug discovery competition
Latest source updateLast Update: July 8, 2026Latest change: The CACHE Challenges site now shows a new DREAM x CACHE Target 2035 Challenge, updated Challenge #8 timing, and revised application and reimbursement terms on the Challenge #8 application page.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 8, 2026
Latest change: The CACHE Challenges site now shows a new DREAM x CACHE Target 2035 Challenge, updated Challenge #8 timing, and revised application and reimbursement terms on the Challenge #8 application page.
CACHE Challenges updated
The CACHE Challenges homepage now lists a new active DREAM x CACHE Target 2035 Challenge focused on PGK2, and the Challenge #8 application page now includes that new challenge entry alongside revised participation details. On the Challenge #8 application page, new hit-optimization deadlines and data-return milestones are visible for December 1, 2026, February 1, 2027, and July 1, 2027, and the Challenge #8 application date is shown as April 30, 2026. The same application page now adds new submission instructions requiring compound identifiers and SMILES for the second selection, plus >95% purity spectra for non-Enamine selections. It also adds reimbursement terms for synthesis costs of up to US$2,000 per compound and US$10,000 total per group, while the GID4 challenge page shows its application close date moving from 2026-05-02 to 2026-04-29. The main CACHE page also reflects committee membership updates, including the Governing Board and Applications Review Committee, with one member
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
October 10, 2025
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Computational chemists and AI-savvy scientists from academia, biotech and pharma.
See full eligibility
Overview
CACHE Challenges invite computational chemists and AI-savvy scientists from academia, biotech and pharma to predict small molecules that bind predefined disease-associated protein targets. Each competition includes hit-finding and hit-expansion rounds, with experimental validation and public release of all data, including chemical structures.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 20 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- International Activities
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Computational prediction of small-molecule hits for predefined protein targets.
- Experimental validation of predicted compounds.
- Hit-finding and hit-expansion rounds within a benchmarking challenge.
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Computational approach description
- Participant and organization information
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Computational chemists and AI-savvy scientists from academia, biotech and pharma.
Eligible expenses
- Experimental testing of compounds.
- Compound procurement or synthesis costs.
- Direct labour and equipment costs for eligible Canadian academics and SMEs, where applicable.
Eligible geographic areas
- International
- Canada, for specific funding support
Selection criteria
- Challenge winners are determined by the number of novel chemical series identified from the test set.
- Challenge winners are also determined by the overall number of hits in the prospective phase.
- Evaluation criteria can vary by challenge and may include hit rate, binding affinity, physicochemical properties, performance against bulk selections, and expert peer review.
How to apply
- Sign up to participate via the Synapse platform.
- Applications can be modified and resubmitted until the official deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a double-blind peer review process supervised by the CACHE Applications Review Committee.
- Selected participants are informed by email.
- By submitting their application, participants accept the Terms of Participation on their own behalf and on behalf of their organization.
Additional information
- Applications can be updated and resubmitted until the deadline.
- Selected participants are notified by email.
- Results are shared with participants before public release.
- Some challenges have a three-month embargo before public disclosure.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CACHE Challenges Program
What is the CACHE Challenges?
CACHE Challenges invite computational chemists and AI-savvy scientists from academia, biotech and pharma to predict small molecules that bind predefined disease-associated protein targets. Each competition includes hit-finding and hit-expansion rounds, with experimental validation and public release of all data, including chemical structures.
How much funding can be received?
CACHE Challenges Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CACHE Challenges program?
To be eligible for the CACHE Challenges program, you must:
Qualified research group or company.
Application submitted in full.
Terms of Participation accepted.
What expenses are eligible under CACHE Challenges?
Computational prediction of small-molecule hits for predefined protein targets.
Experimental validation of predicted compounds.
Hit-finding and hit-expansion rounds within a benchmarking challenge.
Who can I contact for more information about the CACHE Challenges?
You can contact Conscience by email at dakota.treleaven@conscience.ca.
Where is the CACHE Challenges available?
The CACHE Challenges program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the CACHE Challenges?
CACHE Challenges is funded by Conscience