How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 45% of admissible expenses, capped at $6 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2029-06-30T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative?

Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative is funded by Genome Prairie

What are Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative's eligibility criterias?

Each funded project must generate a minimum of 2,000 genomes, though exceptions may be considered under specific circumstances. Whole-genome sequencing must be completed by a Genome Canada-approved sequencing centre. Research Ethics Board approval must be obtained and shared with Genome Canada before biological samples are shared.

Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Genomic precision health initiative for personalized Canadian healthcare

Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $6
Up to 45% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : October 1, 2024
Closing date : June 30, 2029

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance

Grant Providers

Genome Prairie

Program status

Open

Overview of the Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative program

The Canadian Precision Health Initiative offers a funding opportunity of up to $6 million per project from Genome Canada to generate a large-scale, population-level genomic data asset reflecting Canada's diverse demographic. The program supports whole-genome sequencing and aims to advance genomics research and innovation to enhance precision health and healthcare outcomes for all Canadians.

Financing terms and conditions

Genome Prairie’s Precision Health Initiative offers structured financing modalities to support eligible projects in advancing genomics research in Canada. The funding is geared towards creating a large-scale genomic data asset, with provisions for both short-read and long-read genome sequencing technologies.

Total funding of approximately $60 million is available for short-read genome sequencing data generation using Illumina technology.
Genome Canada can contribute up to $6 million per approved project, with a requirement for co-funding from eligible sources to match the Genome Canada contribution.
An additional funding pool of approximately $20 million is available for long-read genome sequencing, divided equally between Oxford Nanopore Technologies and PacBio Technology, with up to $10 million available per technology.
Projects must utilize at least 45% of the total project budget for generating short-read genome sequencing data through Genome Canada–approved sequencing centres.
Funding release is contingent on meeting specific project deliverables, including data sharing into the Pan-Canadian Genome Library.

Eligible projects & activities

The Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative supports projects that aim to advance precision health through genomics in Canada. Eligible activities involve sequencing genomes from a diverse Canadian population and fostering collaboration in genomic research.

Sequencing at least 100,000 genomes to create a national genomic data asset.
Developing and implementing standardized protocols for genomic data collection and analysis.
Creating a trusted research environment for the use and sharing of genomic data.
Advancing genomics tools and AI applications to improve disease diagnosis and therapy.
Ensuring interoperability of genomic data across Canadian healthcare systems.
Collaborating with health authorities to integrate genomic solutions into clinical settings.
Promoting public engagement to enhance understanding and acceptance of genomics.

Eligibility criteria of the Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the project and participants involved in generating genomic data.

Projects must generate a minimum of 2,000 genomes, though exceptions can be made in specific cases where statistical power is justified.
Whole-genome sequencing must be completed by a Genome Canada–approved sequencing center, with necessary material transfer agreements in place.
Projects must include self-identified race, ethnicity, and ancestry data in their submissions, with clear documentation of the data collection and analysis methodology.
Research Ethics Board approval must be obtained and shared with Genome Canada before biological samples can be used for sequencing.

Who is eligible?

The Canadian Precision Health Initiative provides funding opportunities for organizations that aim to contribute to the development of large-scale, diverse genomic datasets and leverage these datasets to advance precision health research and innovation in Canada. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their capability to meet the population-level genomic data generation requirements and contribute to the national databank.

Research institutions engaging in genomics and health data integration initiatives.
Organizations capable of generating at least 2,000 whole-genome sequences and those committed to addressing data diversity and gaps.
Consortiums involving academic, industry, and healthcare partners that demonstrate the ability to co-fund projects and align with Genome Canada’s diversity and inclusion values.
Collaborative projects that include Indigenous communities and address issues of relevance to these populations, ensuring data sovereignty and ethical governance.
Entities capable of obtaining necessary ethical approvals and managing data privacy and security in compliance with Canadian laws.
Applicants able to deposit whole-genome sequencing data into a national databank with full consent and metadata compliance.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers certain expenses that are necessary for the successful completion of whole-genome sequencing projects under the funding initiative.

Costs associated with short-read genome sequencing data generation through Genome Canada-approved sequencing centres.
Project activities related to the co-funding plan that matches the Genome Canada contribution.
Additional funding for long-read genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies or PacBio Technology, contingent on co-funding from eligible sources.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant provides funding opportunities for genomics research and innovation in Canada, focusing on building and leveraging genomic data from diverse Canadian populations. Eligible applicants must typically apply through a regional Genome Centre in Canada, reflecting the initiative's national scope.

Regional Genome Centres in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative program

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the initiative’s objectives, focusing on creating a diverse and representative genomic dataset.

The population cohort of the national databank should reflect the diversity of the Canadian population.
The portfolio includes a combination of disease-specific and targeted cohorts, large population and hypothesis-free cohorts, and under-represented groups, including Indigenous populations.
The potential to address pressing health needs of unique regional populations and priorities.
The potential to advance the utility of genomic data for industry and stakeholders, increasing the impact through follow-up activities like translation, implementation, and commercialization.
Partners and project teams should embody Canada’s diversity and uphold Genome Canada’s values regarding inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), and commitment to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Projects that make a clear and compelling case for creating short-term benefits that can improve Canadians’ health are prioritized.

How to apply to the Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative program

Prepare Letter of Intent (LOI)

Review "Eligibility criteria and portfolio considerations" section to understand requirements for LOI.
Prepare a brief LOI summarizing the project plan, expected deliverables, and number of genomes to be sequenced annually.
Explain how the genomic data will represent Canada's diversity and address population-level gaps.
Describe potential clinical impacts and benefits to Canada's health-care system.
Ensure the project meets or will meet the criteria for population-level genomic data generation.
Submit a summary of the budget and co-funding plan.

Submit LOI

Access Genome Canada's Proposal Central Portal via a regional Genome Centre.
Send in the completed LOI by the deadline of November 01, 2024.

Await Eligibility Check and LOI Results

Genome Canada completes eligibility check and initial GRC selection based on portfolio considerations during the week of November 04, 2024.
Receive notification of LOI results from Genome Canada by November 15, 2024.
Successful LOI applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.

Prepare Full Proposal

Prepare a full proposal if invited, addressing the evaluation criteria for individual projects as stated.
Include detailed technical information and plans as per guidelines.

Submit Full Proposal

Submit the full proposal by the first deadline of December 16, 2024, or the second deadline of March 15, 2025, if invited.

Technical Review and Final Submission

Independent experts conduct technical reviews in January 2025.
GRC completes a portfolio review based on proposal submissions by mid-January 2025.
Genome Canada communicates funding decisions by the end of January 2025.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Genome Canada's contribution to an approved project can be up to $6 million, requiring co-funding from eligible sources to at least equal the Genome Canada contribution.
Funding for the generation of long-read genome sequencing is available; projects can apply for up to $10 million additional funding for this purpose.
Projects must complete all activities by March 31, 2029, with a final report due by June 30, 2029.
Specific methodologies for collecting and analyzing race, ethnicity, and ancestry data must be clearly documented in project protocols.
Genome Canada will ensure funding allocation primarily through the six regional Genome Centres, with at least 45% of the total budget for generating short-read genome sequencing data.
Access to funding is contingent upon depositing genome sequences and associated metadata into the Pan-Canadian Genome Library.
Participants must consent to broad data sharing nationally and internationally, and to responsible future health research usage, including by industry.