Closed
SynergiQc
Grant for Quebec biopharmaceutical research collaborations
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 7,500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 15, 2024
- Closing date : August 15, 2024
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
Get funding for a collaborative project between a research center and an eligible Quebec company. CQDM's maximum rate of assistance now varies according to the size of the partner company, regardless of the project's level of technological maturity.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 15, 2024
- Closing date : August 15, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 249 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research and development projects with industrial impact applicable to life sciences, including clinical trials.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Quebec companies in the biopharmaceutical industry
- Research centers in Quebec
- Universities and affiliated hospitals in Quebec
- Research institutes in Quebec
- College centers for technology transfer (CCTT) in Quebec
- Public research centers in Quebec
- Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Large enterprises (LE) located in Quebec
- Companies with research and development and/or production activities in Quebec
- Companies legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register
Eligible expenses
- Fellowships, wages, and fringe benefits for research personnel assigned to the project, including technicians, research assistants and associates, postdoctoral fellows, and students.
- Laboratory equipment, consumables, and supplies, as well as animal housing and platform fees.
- Travel expenses related to the project, collaborations, and conferences.
- Knowledge dissemination costs.
- Intellectual property costs, such as patent applications and maintenance fees for the duration of the project.
- Rental or purchase of small equipment with a maximum value of $25,000 necessary for the project.
- Subcontracting expenses to Quebec companies that are not partners in the project, if the activity is essential and cannot be performed by the research institution.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations and companies situated within the province of Quebec.
Additional information
- The CQDM SynergiQc program aims to expand the pool of industrial members by increasing research collaboration with life sciences organizations such as pharmaceuticals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), spin-offs, start-ups, and contract research organizations (CROs).
- Research institutions granted funding must sign a research agreement with industrial partners within three months following receipt of CQDM's approval letter.
- A research agreement template, provided by CQDM, will detail the project milestones, timeline, and final deliverables.
- An independent scientific evaluation is part of the approval process, highlighting the project's scientific merit.
- The approval of the project funding is ultimately decided by the CQDM Board of Directors and the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE).
- CQDM offers the framework but does not involve itself in the intellectual property agreement between research institutions and industrial partners, which must be attached to the research agreement.
- The program encourages the transfer of knowledge and technologies developed by public institutions into the industry.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the SynergiQc Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the SynergiQc. 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 SynergiQc?
Get funding for a collaborative project between a research center and an eligible Quebec company. CQDM's maximum rate of assistance now varies according to the size of the partner company, regardless of the project's level of technological maturity.
How much funding can be received?
SynergiQc Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $7,500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was August 15, 2024.
Who is eligible for the SynergiQc program?
To be eligible for the SynergiQc program, you must:
Have a place of business in Quebec and be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law, and be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register.
Have R&D and/or production activities in Quebec.
SMEs must have 249 employees or less; large enterprises must have 250 employees or more.
What expenses are eligible under SynergiQc?
Research and development projects with industrial impact applicable to life sciences, including clinical trials.
Who can I contact for more information about the SynergiQc?
You can contact Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) by email at mpaquette@cqdm.org.
Where is the SynergiQc available?
The SynergiQc program is available the province of Quebec.