Closed
Source verified March 20, 2026
Quantum Leap
Funds collaborative translational biopharmaceutical R&D between academia and industry
Latest source updateLast Update: June 1, 2026Latest change: Quantum Leap now shows updated contact information and a shorter program summary, with changes to the selection timeline and application guidance.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 1, 2026
Latest change: Quantum Leap now shows updated contact information and a shorter program summary, with changes to the selection timeline and application guidance.
Quantum Leap program details updated
Quantum Leap now lists Simon Fournier as the contact and presents a revised, shorter program description focused on Canadian SMEs, public research institutions, and biotech collaboration. The selection timeline and application instructions have also been updated, including the next-round deadline and a simplified application flow. The page still describes funding, eligibility, and review concepts, but the visible emphasis has shifted toward a more concise program overview and partner engagement model. This suggests a meaningful update to how applicants are directed to the program and who they should contact.
Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 1,500,000
Deadline
May 30, 2024
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
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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.
Official resources
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.
Selection criteria
- 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.
How to apply
- 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.
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
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)