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Source verified August 6, 2026
Genome Canada
Funds public-private genomics innovation projects
Latest source updateLast Update: July 5, 2026Latest change: Genome Canada’s funding opportunities page now shows a new $50 million natural resources initiative, while GAPP remains listed and the Genome Prairie page says the 2026 GAPP round has closed with the next opportunity expected in March 2027.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 5, 2026
Latest change: Genome Canada’s funding opportunities page now shows a new $50 million natural resources initiative, while GAPP remains listed and the Genome Prairie page says the 2026 GAPP round has closed with the next opportunity expected in March 2027.
Genome Canada funding opportunities updated
Genome Canada’s funding opportunities listings now show a new initiative, Enabling Canada’s Bio Revolution in Natural Resources Management, with an expected investment of $50 million over three years, including $25 million in Government of Canada investment through Genome Canada. This materially expands the program’s scope toward natural resources management and a three-stream portfolio, while the GAPP listing remains visible. Genome Prairie’s funding page now states that funding applications for the 2026 GAPP round have closed and that the next GAPP funding opportunity is expected to launch in March 2027. The GAPP initiative page also still shows the core national stream terms, including up to one-third of project costs from Genome Canada, a minimum contribution of $300,000, and a maximum contribution of $2 million, with the next round timing now clearly visible.
Funding available
$ 300,000 - $ 2,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) national stream funds research and development projects across Canada that support public-private innovation, offering $300,000 to $2 million for collaborations between academic researchers and Canadian for-profit receptors. Eligible projects support the invention, development or commercialization of genomics-based biotechnological innovations, including research, technology transfer and intellectual property protection.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 1-49 employees
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research and development projects that support public-private innovation
- Projects that support the invention, development or commercialization of a genomics-based or -enabled biotechnological innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity
- Co-operative R&D between researchers and receptors to translate research into market-ready solutions
Documents Needed
- Letter of Intent
- Full proposal
- 3–5 minute pre-recorded video
- Data management plan
- Complete co-funding documentation, including a letter of commitment or agreement and supporting documentation
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian for-profit enterprises acting as the receptor
- Researchers employed by Canadian post-secondary institutions
- Researchers employed by research institutes or hospitals
- Researchers employed by not-for-profit organizations with explicit research mandates
Who is not eligible
- Wholly owned subsidiaries of a foreign public corporation
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for team members, subject to Genome Canada guidelines.
- Consumables, including materials and supplies, equipment maintenance contracts, general maintenance of research infrastructure, and travel directly related to the project.
- Equipment and research infrastructure used for the project, including individual equipment items costing less than or equal to $100,000; more expensive equipment may be eligible case by case.
- Services from others, including fee-for-service providers; project budgets may include these costs up to 25 per cent of the total budget, with higher amounts assessed case by case.
- For receptors that are small businesses with one to 49 employees, up to 20 per cent or $250,000, whichever is less, of Genome Canada funding may be used for IP protection, including patent prosecution, for IP resulting from the project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Market research
- Commercial launches of already-developed technology
- Patent enforcement or litigation
- Projects, project components or service provision that would normally be funded solely by the receptor, such as routine analyses or certain types of clinical trials
- Indirect costs to the project, including institutional overhead costs, and costs associated with commercialization beyond the proof of concept stage, such as packaging, testing, marketing and related consultants
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Innovation and commercial plan
- Project plan
- Benefits to Canada and the economy
- Project leadership and management
- Financial aspects
How to apply
- Submit a Letter of Intent through Proposal Central at Genome Canada.
- Submit the full proposal through Proposal Central, including a 3–5 minute pre-recorded video.
- If advanced, present a pitch to the Core Evaluation Team.
Processing and Agreement
- All LOI submissions undergo an eligibility assessment by Genome Canada, and the regional Genome Centre is notified of the decision within 10 business days of the submission deadline.
- All full proposals are reviewed independently, at-home and then discussed by the Core Evaluation Team, which decides which proposals advance to the pitch phase.
- The Core Evaluation Team assesses each pitch using the same criteria as for full proposals.
- Funded projects must provide regular progress reports, generally semi-annually, and a final report after project completion.
- Funding is conditional on a legally binding intellectual property agreement between the project partners.
Additional information
- Genome Canada recognizes intellectual property forms such as patent applications, patents, trade secrets, designs, processes and proprietary datasets.
- Applicants may request an exemption from data-sharing requirements, and exemptions are normally confirmed early in the application process once the nature of the data and information is understood.
- The program encourages the inclusion and advancement of equity-deserving, under-represented communities in the Canadian innovation economy.
- All reviewers engaged by Genome Canada sign confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Genome Canada Program
What is the Genome Canada?
Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) national stream funds research and development projects across Canada that support public-private innovation, offering $300,000 to $2 million for collaborations between academic researchers and Canadian for-profit receptors. Eligible projects support the invention, development or commercialization of genomics-based biotechnological innovations, including research, technology transfer and intellectual property protection.
How much funding can be received?
Genome Canada Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Genome Canada program?
To be eligible for the Genome Canada program, you must:
The project must be a partnership between a receptor and a researcher, with active and necessary roles for all partners.
The receptor must act as Project Leader and be a Canadian for-profit enterprise.
The project must support the invention, development or commercialization of a genomics-based or -enabled biotechnological innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity.
What expenses are eligible under Genome Canada?
Research and development projects that support public-private innovation
Projects that support the invention, development or commercialization of a genomics-based or -enabled biotechnological innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity
Co-operative R&D between researchers and receptors to translate research into market-ready solutions
Where is the Genome Canada available?
The Genome Canada program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Genome Canada?
Genome Canada is funded by Genome Canada