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Quantum Leap - Canada
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Quantum Leap

Funds collaborative translational biopharmaceutical R&D between academia and industry
Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM)
Regroupements sectoriels de recherche industrielle du Québec (RSRI)
Last Update: March 20, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : January 14, 2026
Location
Canada

Overview

Quantum Leap provides funding usually representing one-third of project costs for Canadian SMEs and public research institutions, with typical total project budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The program supports innovative translational biopharmaceutical R&D projects that develop enabling technologies, pioneering platforms or therapeutic methods to improve and accelerate drug discovery and development, including eligible expenses such as research staff salaries, consumables, small equipment (under $25,000), travel, knowledge dissemination and certain intellectual property costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Access new markets
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 500,000 $
  • Up to 33% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : January 14, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Health care and social assistance
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
  • Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Higher Education
  • Research
  • Business Associations
Target groups
  • Business owners / entrepreneurs
  • Academia / students
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • National
  • International

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Collaborative translational R&D projects between Canadian SMEs, public research institutions and large biopharmaceutical companies to develop innovative drug discovery and development technologies.
  • Development of enabling technologies or pioneering platforms that significantly improve or accelerate the discovery and development of safer, more effective drugs.
  • Creation of innovative therapeutic methods that can impact multiple stages of the biopharmaceutical R&D process across a wide range of therapeutic indications.
  • Projects designed to generate concrete technological deliverables that CQDM pharmaceutical members can use directly in their research and development activities.
  • Industry–academic joint projects that position new technologies competitively at the international level and support future commercial partnerships in the biopharmaceutical sector.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Canadian public research institutions
  • Canadian universities

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries and social benefits for research personnel working on the project (technicians, assistants, research associates, post-doctoral researchers and students).
  • Equipment, consumables and laboratory supplies required for the project, including platform usage fees and animal facility fees.
  • Travel costs directly linked to the project (project meetings, collaborations, conferences) and expenses related to dissemination of research results.
  • Costs related to intellectual property, such as patent application fees and patent maintenance fees for the duration of the project.
  • Purchase or rental of small equipment items with a maximum unit value of $25,000.
  • Payments to subcontracted companies that are not project partners, when their contribution is essential to the project and cannot be carried out by the SME or research institution.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Companies and public research institutions located anywhere in Canada.

Additional information

  • The next known selection round is scheduled for February 12, 2026.
  • Projects are developed in close collaboration with representatives from one or more CQDM pharmaceutical members, who may help refine the final project and experimental design.
  • Selected candidates must sign a research agreement with CQDM within three months of funding confirmation, including milestones, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Intellectual property remains with the researchers or their institutions, while participating pharmaceutical members typically obtain privileged, usually non-exclusive, R&D access to resulting technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Quantum Leap Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Quantum Leap. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Quantum Leap?

Quantum Leap provides funding usually representing one-third of project costs for Canadian SMEs and public research institutions, with typical total project budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The program supports innovative translational biopharmaceutical R&D projects that develop enabling technologies, pioneering platforms or therapeutic methods to improve and accelerate drug discovery and development, including eligible expenses such as research staff salaries, consumables, small equipment (under $25,000), travel, knowledge dissemination and certain intellectual property costs.

How much funding can be received?

Quantum Leap Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Quantum Leap program?

To be eligible for the Quantum Leap program, you must: The applicant must be a Canadian SME or a public research institution. The project must involve innovative translational biopharmaceutical R&D. The applicant must be able to secure counterpart funding from other sources.

What expenses are eligible under Quantum Leap?

Collaborative translational R&D projects between Canadian SMEs, public research institutions and large biopharmaceutical companies to develop innovative drug discovery and development technologies. Development of enabling technologies or pioneering platforms that significantly improve or accelerate the discovery and development of safer, more effective drugs. Creation of innovative therapeutic methods that can impact multiple stages of the biopharmaceutical R&D process across a wide range of therapeutic indications. Projects designed to generate concrete technological deliverables that CQDM pharmaceutical members can use directly in their research and development activities. Industry–academic joint projects that position new technologies competitively at the international level and support future commercial partnerships in the biopharmaceutical sector.

Who can I contact for more information about the Quantum Leap?

You can contact Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM).

Where is the Quantum Leap available?

The Quantum Leap program is available across Canada.

Who are the financial supporters of the Quantum Leap?

Quantum Leap is funded by Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM), Regroupements sectoriels de recherche industrielle du Québec (RSRI)

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