Closed
Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders
Collaborative support for RNA therapeutics research
Last Update: June 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 15, 2023
- Closing date : January 22, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
The Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program supports a collaborative project in Canada focused on RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders. It backs preclinical work such as therapeutic design, nanoparticle encapsulation, and in vitro and in vivo efficacy and toxicity studies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 15, 2023
- Closing date : January 22, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Preclinical translation of a made-in-Canada RNA-based therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders
- Design of RNA therapeutic drug candidates
- Encapsulation of the selected RNA therapeutic into proprietary brain-optimized lipid-based nanoparticles
- In vitro potency and toxicity evaluation
- In vivo preclinical therapeutic efficacy and toxicity studies using a relevant animal model of central nervous system disease
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (those with fewer than 500 employees)
- Not-for-profit research organizations
- Research institutions
- Academic institutions
- International applicants may be considered.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries for highly qualified personnel working on the project activities
- Research support costs, including consumable materials, supplies, equipment rentals, and facility rentals
- Costs for on-duty travel required to execute the project and limited conference travel (for highly qualified personnel)
- Amounts invoiced to the applicant by a contractor for services rendered relating directly to the project
- Indirect costs up to a maximum of 10% of total eligible costs
- Equipment costs, generally between $10k and $50k
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Purchase of land
- Leasehold interest
- Property taxes
- Any portion of costs subject to refunds, rebates or credits, including HST, GST and PST
- Costs paid by the NRC
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian collaborators are preferred.
Selection criteria
- Proposals will be evaluated based on the strength of the approach, expertise of the team and technical feasibility by an expert review panel.
- Expressions of interest will be assessed based on the technical requirements and the criteria provided in Annex A.
- The project has the potential impact and transform health outcomes for Canadians with brain diseases.
- The project has a sound research approach and clearly articulates the scientific and business rationale for target selection and methodology.
- The proposed RNA therapeutic drug candidates are innovative.
How to apply
- Register for this call and the Q&A session by sending an email to NRC.HealthProgram-ProgrammeSante.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- After receiving the notice of project approval, applicants must enter into a collaborative research agreement with all project collaborators or a funding agreement (non-repayable transfer payment) with the NRC.
- If an agreement cannot be finalized within a reasonable timeframe, funding may be cancelled.
Additional information
- This call for proposals is closed.
- Preference will be given to Canadian collaborators.
- International applicants may be considered.
- Register for the call and the Q&A session by sending an email to NRC.HealthProgram-ProgrammeSante.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders Program
What is the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders?
The Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program supports a collaborative project in Canada focused on RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders. It backs preclinical work such as therapeutic design, nanoparticle encapsulation, and in vitro and in vivo efficacy and toxicity studies.
How much funding can be received?
Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 22, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders program?
To be eligible for the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders program, you must:
Teams must be willing to collaborate with researchers from the NRC's Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre.
Team members must be eligible recipients and collaborators, as identified by the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program.
Teams must provide a minimum of 1:1 matching funds (cash or in-kind) contribution towards achieving project deliverables.
What expenses are eligible under Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders?
Preclinical translation of a made-in-Canada RNA-based therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders
Design of RNA therapeutic drug candidates
Encapsulation of the selected RNA therapeutic into proprietary brain-optimized lipid-based nanoparticles
In vitro potency and toxicity evaluation
In vivo preclinical therapeutic efficacy and toxicity studies using a relevant animal model of central nervous system disease
Who can I contact for more information about the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at NRC.HealthProgram-ProgrammeSante.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders available?
The Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program — Call for proposals: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders program is available across Canada.