
NRC — Microbial fermentation pilot plant facility research facility
Last Update: January 24, 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
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Researchers And Facilities
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
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
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