Closed
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 75,000
Timeline
- Closing date : November 10, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
CACHE Challenges are open competitions focused on computational hit-finding for drug discovery, with experimental validation of predicted molecules. For some challenges, funding can cover up to 100% of testing costs and partial compound procurement costs for eligible Canadian academics and Canadian SMEs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : November 10, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
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?
- Academic labs
- Biotech companies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Software developers
- Nonprofit research organizations
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
- Double-blind peer review.
- Review of computational approach descriptions.
- Pre-screening of applicant qualifications and publication record.
- Independent committee selection of participants.
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare your application
- Complete all required fields in the application form.
- Describe your computational approach clearly.
- Step 2: Submit your application
- Send the form by email or through the online application form, depending on the challenge.
- Submit before the challenge deadline.
- Step 3: Peer review and selection
- Applications are pre-screened and reviewed through a double-blind process.
- Selected applicants are notified by email.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are pre-screened by CACHE for qualifications and fit.
- Eligible applications go through double-blind peer review.
- Applications are then reviewed by an independent committee or review committee for participant selection.
- Selected participants are notified and the challenge proceeds to experimental testing.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CACHE Challenges Program
What is the CACHE Challenges?
CACHE Challenges are open competitions focused on computational hit-finding for drug discovery, with experimental validation of predicted molecules. For some challenges, funding can cover up to 100% of testing costs and partial compound procurement costs for eligible Canadian academics and Canadian SMEs.
How much funding can be received?
CACHE Challenges Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
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.
Where is the CACHE Challenges available?
The CACHE Challenges program is available across Canada.
Is the CACHE Challenges a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CACHE Challenges is a Partnering and Collaboration
Who are the financial supporters of the CACHE Challenges?
CACHE Challenges is funded by Conscience