Quantum Leap

• Application form
• Non-confidential pitch deck

Who is eligible?

• Canadian SMEs
• Public research institutions

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.

• Impact on the development of new drugs and ability to significantly advance biopharmaceutical R&D.
• Scientific excellence, including the innovative nature of the research and quality of the experimental plan.
• Feasibility of the project, based on current technology status, preliminary data, clear milestones, deliverables and project management.
• Positioning and competitive advantage compared to existing or emerging international technologies, and potential to transform the biopharmaceutical field.
• Marketing potential and economic benefits, including a credible development and commercialization plan, required funding, expected timeline, and alignment with partners’ business objectives.

• Step 1: Pre-selection discussion
  • Discuss your project with CQDM’s business development team.
  • Confirm that your project is eligible before applying.
• Step 2: Prepare the initial application
  • Complete the summarized non-confidential form.
  • Prepare a non-confidential slide deck.
• Step 3: Submit by email
  • Send the summarized form by email to appliquez-apply@cqdm.org.
  • Submit it at any time, as the call for projects is open year-round.
• Step 4: Candidate presentation and follow-up
  • If invited, record a video presentation about your project.
  • Work with CQDM’s pharmaceutical members if they wish to refine the final project and experimental design.
• Step 5: Full confidential application
  • Only selected projects are invited to submit a full confidential application.
  • Provide the additional information requested and respond to comments and questions from interested pharmaceutical members.

• 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.