
Quantum Leap
Last Update: March 6, 2025
Canada
Funding for biopharmaceutical R&D
Quantum Leap at a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $500,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
- Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM)
Status
Open
Overview of the Quantum Leap program
Get a grant between $500,000 and $1.2 million for R&D related to innovative technologies, tools and platforms that facilitate the drug discovery/development process and new therapeutic approaches.
Financing terms and conditions
- Funding from CQDM typically covers one-third (1/3) of the total project budget, although this percentage can vary depending on the project's nature.
- CQDM's pharmaceutical members are expected to provide financial support equivalent to approximately one-third (1/3) of the project’s value.
- Candidates are responsible for acquiring the remaining funds required for the project. CQDM offers assistance in securing funds from potential co-funding partners.
- Projects generally range from $500,000 to $1,500,000, though applications exceeding this range may be considered in exceptional cases if justified.
- Funding might be provided as a grant or investment.
- Detailed budget justifications are required and will be thoroughly reviewed by CQDM.
- CQDM has the ability to form partnerships with national and international organizations for co-funding possibilities.
- Guaranteed funding commitments from private, semi-private, or not-for-profit public organizations can offer an advantage in the selection process.
Eligible projects & activities
- Innovative translational R&D projects in collaboration with large biopharmaceutical organizations.
- Development of cutting-edge technologies for enhancing R&D activities.
- Creation of enabling technologies, pioneering platforms, and innovative therapeutic methods targeting drug development stages.
- Projects aimed at considerably accelerating the discovery and development of safer, more effective drugs.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 900,000
Creation of a computational platform for drug-target interaction studies
$ 750,000
Development of AI-driven drug discovery platform
$ 1,000,000
Implementation of a high-throughput screening system for drug candidates
$ 900,000
Design of a nanotechnology-based drug delivery system
$ 1,100,000
Development of genomic analysis tools for personalized medicine
$ 850,000
Creation of a biotechnological tool for faster drug development
Eligibility criteria of the Quantum Leap program
- The applicant must be a Canadian SME or a public research institution.
- The project should involve innovative translational R&D in collaboration with large biopharmaceutical organizations.
- The project must aim to develop enabling technologies, pioneering platforms, or innovative therapeutic methods targeting all stages of drug development.
Who is eligible?
- Canadian SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises)
- Public research institutions
Who is not eligible
Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant due to specific criteria. These companies may include:
- Companies operating outside of Canada
- Non-profit organizations
Eligible expenses
- Grants, salaries and social benefits for research staff working on the project, including technicians, assistants, and research associates, post-doctorates and students.
- Equipment, consumables, and laboratory supplies, including platform and animal fees.
- Travel fees for project-related travel, collaborations, and conferences, as well as fees associated with the dissemination of knowledge.
- Costs related to intellectual property, such as patent applications and maintenance fees for the duration of the project.
- Purchase or rental of small pieces of equipment with a maximum value of $25,000.
- Payments made to subcontracted businesses not project partners when the activity is essential and cannot be performed by the research institution or SME.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).
- Public research institutions based in Canada.
Eligibility criteria of the Quantum Leap program
- Impact on the potential development of new drugs and ability to address critical needs in the biopharmaceutical field.
- Scientific excellence, including the innovative aspect of the research and the quality of the experimental plan.
- Feasibility, assessed by the current development status of the technology, preliminary data, milestones, and planned deliverables.
- Positioning and competitive advantage, evaluating the innovation's uniqueness and its benefit over international competitors.
- Marketing potential, with a focus on developing a suitable maturation plan and fulfilling biopharmaceutical needs, including main milestones and required funds at each stage.
- Quality of the business plan, where applicable for SMEs.
- Economic benefits, such as potential gains for all partners and strategic alignment with SMEs' corporate objectives.
- Team quality, relevance, and synergy of the project partners.
How to apply to the Quantum Leap program
1
Fill Non-Confidential FormDownload and complete the summarized non-confidential form.
Ensure all required fields and information are provided accurately.
2
Submit Preliminary ApplicationEmail the completed form to [email protected].
- Submission can be done at any time.
- Contact Jesse Paterson for any queries about the application process.
3
Video PresentationIf pre-selected, prepare a video presentation of your project.
The video will be shared with CQDM's pharmaceutical members.
4
Comprehensive ApplicationInvited candidates will prepare a full confidential application.
Incorporate feedback, questions, and concerns from pharmaceutical members.
Additional information
- Projects must generate tangible deliverables to benefit CQDM's pharmaceutical members.
- Engagement with CQDM's pharmaceutical members is crucial for developing the final project and experimental design.
- Grants may include funds from various national and international partnerships coordinated by CQDM.
- The opportunity is available for projects to secure future collaborations with the global industry.
- Final terms for intellectual property and licensing policies are negotiated prior to project start, based on existing property and party contributions.
- Submissions do not constitute licensing commitments at the initial application stage.
Apply to this program

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