NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility
Last Update: July 22, 2025
QC, Canada
Microbial fermentation pilot plant facilities in Montreal and Ottawa
NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Researchers And Facilities
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
Program status
Open
Overview of the NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility program
Fee-for-service access to broad range of equipment to rapidly convert laboratory results into industrial processes up to the 1,500-litre scale to assist with implementing current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Eligible projects & activities
This grant is designed to support research and development initiatives within the biotechnology sector, particularly focused on microbial fermentation processes. Eligible projects or activities facilitate the scale-up and optimization of bioprocesses using specialized facilities and expertise.
- Engineering and selection of recombinant strains including Escherichia coli, Methylo-bacterium extorquens, and yeast (Pichia; Saccharomyces).
- Production of biotechnology products such as peptides, proteins, nutraceuticals, organic acids, polymers, and probiotics.
- Screening and optimization of media, microorganisms, cell lines, and cultivation conditions.
- Bioprocess optimization and scale-up to 1500 L.
- Handling and bioprocessing of methanol-oxidizing microorganisms.
- Testing of new monitoring/control equipment and reagents used in bioprocessing.
- Purification and analytical services supporting bioprocessing operations.
- Technical and scientific guidance tailored to bioprocess development.
- Provision of general or specialized training in microbial fermentation and bioprocessing.
- Preparation and documentation tailored to specific bioprocessing needs.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Development of a sustainable cosmetics line compliant with cGMP standards
$ 170,000
Implementation of eco-friendly biopesticide production compliant with cGMP
$ 150,000
Development of a new plant-based protein supplement meeting cGMP standards
$ 250,000
Design and production of biocompatible surgical implants meeting cGMP requirements
$ 200,000
Scaling up of high-performance biofuel production to meet cGMP standards
$ 120,000
Production of medical-grade sterile packaging for pharmaceuticals adhering to cGMP
Eligibility criteria of the NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility program
Eligibility for this facility's services and resources is specifically tailored to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with certain requirements.
- The applicant should be a small and medium enterprise (SME) with limited capacity to invest in pilot-scale facilities compatible with current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP).
- The company should be engaged in the biotechnology sector, requiring services like genome engineering, strain selection, or microbial fermentation process development.
- The need for scaling up laboratory results to industrial processes up to the 1500 L scale should be demonstrated.
Who is eligible?
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility criteria of the NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility program
Evaluation and selection criteria for this grant include: - Expertise in microbial fermentation and bioprocessing - Relevance of the project to industrial applications - Importance of the research to the biotechnology industry - Feasibility and scalability of the proposed work - Potential for commercialization and impact on the industry - Alignment with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) if applicable - Track record of the research team and their ability to deliver results - Innovation and novelty of the proposed approach - Budget and resource management - Compatibility with the goals and objectives of the funding organization
How to apply to the NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility program
1
Preliminary contact
- Contact Mélanie Arbour or Luke Masson to discuss the needs and possibilities for collaboration.
- Assess the alignment between your project's needs and the capabilities of the pilot plant.
2
Definition of the project
- Work with the NRC team to define the project objectives and the scope of the work.
- Identify the resources and services needed for the project.
3
Submission of the request
- Prepare a document describing the project, the objectives, and the specific needs.
- Include any necessary documentation to support your request, such as technical details and timelines.
- Send your request via email to Mélanie Arbour or Luke Masson, ensuring all interested parties are included.
4
Confirmation of receipt and validation
- Receive a confirmation of receipt of your request from the CNRC team.
- Participate in additional discussions to adjust and validate your project in collaboration with the CNRC team.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The facility offers specialized training tailored to the needs of SMEs and other clients.
- Cutting-edge equipment is available for testing new monitoring and control equipment or reagents.
- The NRC provides multidisciplinary expertise with a team of microbiologists, engineers, chemists, and biochemists.
- The facility has a strong track record, with over 25 years of experience in supporting the biotech and research community.
- SMEs are particularly encouraged to collaborate, as the facility offers unique resources that may not be otherwise accessible to them.
Contact National Research Council Canada (NRC)
514-496-3123
Apply to this program
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Support for investment projects through digital transformation
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Support for investment projects in Quebec
Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Quebec, Canada
Supports Quebec businesses in strategic supply chain integration
Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Quebec, Canada
Strengthening SMEs' Export Capacity and Accelerating Their Projects Outside Quebec
Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
Enhancing productivity through food industry automation assistance
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Supports Canadian AI startups and SMEs focused on value chains
Tax CreditsOpening Soon
Quebec, Canada
Supports innovation and commercialization activities with tax incentives
Tax CreditsOpen
Quebec, Canada
Tax credit for development of a Quebec e-business
Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Quebec, Canada
NovaScience promotes scientific culture and innovation development