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Source verified July 9, 2026
Life Sciences Innovation Fund
Early-stage investment for Ontario life sciences start-ups
Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: Life Sciences Innovation Fund now includes a 2026 Baylis Ontario Life Sciences Innovator Award with a nomination form due July 20, 2026, and an updated 2026 fund guidelines PDF.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: Life Sciences Innovation Fund now includes a 2026 Baylis Ontario Life Sciences Innovator Award with a nomination form due July 20, 2026, and an updated 2026 fund guidelines PDF.
LSIF adds 2026 innovator award
The Life Sciences Innovation Fund page now includes the 2026 Baylis Ontario Life Sciences Innovator Award, which recognizes a top entrepreneur leading an Ontario-based life sciences company and accepts community nominations through a separate form. Nominations are due by July 20, 2026, and the linked Fund Guidelines now point to a new 2026 PDF version. The added award section and nomination workflow expand the page’s application instructions and introduce a new near-term deadline for the award process.
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Early-stage Ontario-based companies in human health-related life sciences.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF) provides up to $500,000 in direct investment to early-stage Ontario-based companies in human health-related life sciences. It backs ventures with competitive IP from the conceptual stage through commercialization and aims to de-risk investments while attracting private-sector capital.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Early-stage commercialization of human health life sciences innovations.
- Scaling made-in-Ontario health solutions for global markets.
- Development from conceptual stage through commercialization.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Early-stage Ontario-based companies in human health-related life sciences.
- Ontario or Canadian for-profit corporations incorporated for no more than five years.
- Companies with principal operations in Ontario and more than 50% of current headcount in Ontario.
Who is not eligible
- OCI Ready for Market (R4M) portfolio companies.
Eligible expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant, including operating costs related to product development, research expenses, and commercialization activities.
- Operating costs for product development
- Research expenses
- Commercialization activities
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF).
- Companies must be Ontario or Canadian incorporated for-profit entities headquartered in Ontario.
- Currently raising pre-seed or seed investments with total round sizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
- Have raised less than $3 million in third-party capital.
How to apply
- Complete the interest form to indicate your company’s interest in the Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF).
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Life Sciences Innovation Fund emphasizes the commercialization of Ontario-generated intellectual property, talent, and expertise.
- Companies that are part of OCI's Ready for Market (R4M) portfolio are not eligible for this fund.
- OCI co-invests alongside angel and other investors to mitigate risks and support startups in readiness for investors and customers.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Life Sciences Innovation Fund Program
What is the Life Sciences Innovation Fund?
The Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF) provides up to $500,000 in direct investment to early-stage Ontario-based companies in human health-related life sciences. It backs ventures with competitive IP from the conceptual stage through commercialization and aims to de-risk investments while attracting private-sector capital.
How much funding can be received?
Life Sciences Innovation Fund Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Life Sciences Innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the Life Sciences Innovation Fund program, you must:
Early-stage Ontario-based company with competitive IP in human health-related life sciences.
Incorporated for no more than five years as an Ontario or Canadian for-profit corporation with principal operations in Ontario.
Raised less than $3 million from third-party capital and seeking pre-seed or seed investment with Ontario-based accredited investors in the round.
What expenses are eligible under Life Sciences Innovation Fund?
Early-stage commercialization of human health life sciences innovations.
Scaling made-in-Ontario health solutions for global markets.
Development from conceptual stage through commercialization.
Who can I contact for more information about the Life Sciences Innovation Fund?
You can contact Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) by email at oci-portforlio@oc-innovation.ca.
Where is the Life Sciences Innovation Fund available?
The Life Sciences Innovation Fund program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Life Sciences Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Life Sciences Innovation Fund is a Loans and Capital investments