1.1 About the Commercialization Priming Program

Translating research discoveries and innovation into commercial products is a major goal of the D2R Initiative. Such activities often require substantial resources and investments, typically beyond what conventional research grant programs offer. The D2R Commercialization Priming program, in partnership with , aims to provide short-term financial support for early-stage efforts that test or validate the commercial potential of well-defined concepts, technologies, or inventions tied to the D2R Initiative鈥檚 priority areas. All concepts, technologies, or inventions involved must be linked to 麻豆传媒网站 and reported to the Technology Transfer Office. The goal of this program is to generate key data which may (1) support applications to D2R鈥檚 Major Partnerships program or other external funding programs or (2) attract an industry partner or other investors.

The Commercialization Priming program invites applications from individual researchers or teams working on projects that align with D2R鈥檚 mission, including any of D2R鈥檚 Foundational Axes and strategic priority disease areas. Accepting applications on a rolling basis, with a quarterly review process, the program focuses on projects that can be completed within six to twelve months.

The program does not require an industry partner. However, the presence of an industrial or other partner that contributes funding to the project (cash or in-kind) will be considered positively in the evaluation of the translational potential of a given proposal. All industry cash contributions must include 27% indirect costs. Any industry partners must agree to the program鈥檚 intellectual property management guidelines (see 1.7 of the Call for Proposals).

The applicant will be required to provide a commercialization strategy as part of the application process. While it is beneficial to include with your application a report of invention (ROI) that has been accepted as 鈥渁ctive available鈥� by 麻豆传媒网站鈥檚 Office of Innovation and Partnerships or by a D2R partner institution, it is not mandatory at the application stage. However, it may be requested prior to funding a proposal.

This program supports projects that:

• Align with D2R鈥檚 mission and strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate the potential for commercial viability.
• Present a well-defined strategy for testing or validating commercial potential, including a clear workplan.
• Show capability to reach proof-of-concept or advance to a higher technology readiness level within the funding period and budget.
• Have the potential to secure further funding for technology development and commercialization, possibly leading to university spin-offs.

1.2 Key Dates

Applications are accepted at any time and are reviewed at quarterly meetings, according to the following general schedule.

• August 15
• November 15
• February 15
• May 15

Applications received by these dates will be reviewed within two months.

1.3 Applicant Eligibility and Limitation

Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility

• 麻豆传媒网站 faculty members who hold the role of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor.
• Eligible to hold Tri-Agency research funding.

Co-Investigator (Co-I) Eligibility

• 麻豆传媒网站 faculty members who hold the role of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor.
• Researchers from D2R鈥檚 partner institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Universit茅 de Sherbrooke, and Institut de recherches cliniques de Montr茅al). These researchers must be on the approved list of researchers that was provided by the partners. Contact d2r.funding [at] mcgill.ca for list of eligible faculty members from our partner institutions.
• Eligible to hold Tri-Agency research funding.

Collaborators

• Individuals from 麻豆传媒网站, other academic institutions, industry, government, or community organizations, who play an active role in the research and research-related activities of the project. Collaborators are not eligible to receive funding from D2R.

Partner Organizations

• Organizations are government, industry, associations, non-profit organizations or other institutions that have contributed or committed cash or in-kind contributions to support the proposed research.

1.4 Applicant Eligibility and Limitation

• There is no limit to the number of applications a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator can submit to this D2R program.
• There are no restrictions on holding multiple awards or roles concurrently under this program.

1.5 Award Value per Project and Duration

• The amount per award is between $50,000 and $100,000 for up to 12 months (non-renewable).

1.6 Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include salaries and benefits, stipends, materials and supplies, travel, and service contracts. For additional information, refer to the

1.7 Intellectual Property Management

All concepts, technologies, or inventions involved must be linked to 麻豆传媒网站 and reported to the Technology Transfer Office. The project can be based on existing 麻豆传媒网站 intellectual property (IP), but not on scenarios where the IP was returned to the inventor through a transfer of rights. The project can also commence without existing 麻豆传媒网站 IP but note that all IP developed during the project, including any intellectual property developed jointly with Co-Investigators from our Partner Institutions, must be reported to 麻豆传媒网站 and Partner Institutions (if applicable) and will be made available for commercial use through licensing.

If relevant, D2R will require an agreement to be in place prior to releasing funds. Intellectual Property ownership will follow institutional policies and relevant IP can be licensed to industry partners for commercial use.

All activities must adhere to 麻豆传媒网站鈥檚 Policy on Inventions and Software and that of any partner institution involved.

Application consists of an with documents to upload, detailed below.

In addition, the PI must complete the before submitting an application to this program. Only one Self-Identification Survey is needed per PI; if one has already been completed as part of applying to another D2R program, this survey does not have to be repeated.

Once the online application form and Equity Self-Identification Survey has been completed, the PI must email D2R.funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Commercialization%20Priming%20program%20application) () to inform the office that you have submitted your application online.

2.1 Document Requirements

Use the template for each document:

• Project Description (2.2) (Template)
• Biosketches (2.3) (Template)
• Budget & Justification (2.4) (Template)
• Reviewer Suggestions (2.5) (Template)
• Letter of Support (if applicable) (2.6)

2.2 Project Description

Use the template provided. Adhere to the following page limits for the Project Description section.

• Applications written in English: 7 pages, inclusive of references.
• Applications written in French: 8 pages, inclusive of references.

Figures and images may be used but must fit within the stated page limit. Appendices are not permitted.

Submissions that exceed the maximum page limit will have the extra pages removed prior to review.

Project Description Instructions

A. Summary

• Provide an overview of the project's objectives, methods, anticipated outcomes, and potential commercial benefits. Highlight how the project could attract further partnerships and funding.

B. Introduction, Background, and D2R Alignment

• Offer background information and context, including prior work related to the discovery, technology, concept, or invention by the Principal Investigator or others.
• Detail the project's alignment with D2R鈥檚 Foundational Axes and strategic priorities, and how the innovation will contribute to D2R's mission.

C. Research Plan

• Outline the primary objective and specific aims, focusing on innovation and potential commercialization. Describe methods, highlighting approaches and expected deliverables. Discuss potential contributions, unique aspects for marketability, and the experimental plan.

D. Research Team

• Describe the research team, individual expertise, contributions, and current partners.

E. Commercialization Strategy

• Describe the current stage of the technology's development (from conceptualization, proof of concept established, prototype, to invention).
• Indicate if the technology has been published in any form, and how this affects its commercialization potential.
• Outline what key objectives need to be completed for the technology to be ready for commercialization, including the required timeline.
• Explain how the proposed activities will advance the technology to a go/no-go scenario for commercial development.
• Identify the market your technology aims to address.
• Describe any commercially available products that solve a similar or identical problem.
• Detail the potential for future funding and partnerships.

F. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Design

Thoughtful EDI in research design should include EDI considerations embedded throughout all research stages to enhance rigor and impact. Applicants should address:

• Research Questions & Study Design: Explain how research questions consider the needs of diverse populations or specific equity-deserving groups. Describe how potential biases are identified and mitigated, whose perspectives are informing the project, and whether any inherent EDI biases impact the research question. If so, explain how the study design aims to address and mitigate these biases.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Outline how data will be collected and analyzed, ensuring disaggregation where applicable (e.g., by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) to capture meaningful differences. Describe strategies to mitigate biases.
• Knowledge Mobilization & Dissemination: Explain how research findings will be shared inclusively, ensuring accessibility for all groups, especially equity-deserving communities. If applicable, describe how therapies developed will be made accessible to diverse populations.

If EDI considerations are not applicable, provide an evidence-based rationale.

F. Budget

• Justify the need for D2R funding and provide a narrative summary of the budget with justifications for key items.

G. References

• List works cited, including DOIs where available.

2.3 Biosketch

• Use the template provided.
• A biosketch is required for the Principal Investigator, each Co-Investigator, and any Postdoctoral Fellow(s). Biosketches for Collaborators are not required.
• Compile all biosketches into one PDF file before uploading.

2.4 Budget and Justification

• Use the Excel template provided.

2.5 Reviewer Suggestions

• Suggestions of external reviewers. Use the Excel template provided.

2.6 Letters of Support (if applicable)

If Applicable. Upload a letter of support from each partnering organization. If there are multiple partners and letters of support, they should be compiled into a single PDF.

2.7 Application submission

Once the online application form and Equity Self-Identification Survey have been completed, the PI must email D2R.funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Commercialization%20Priming%20program%20application) () to inform the office that you have submitted your application online.

Following the administrative review of the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator(s)' eligibility, budget appropriateness, and completeness of the application, all applications will be reviewed by a committee of experts in the field (scientific and business) for the following:

Alignment with D2R鈥檚 Mission

• Alignment with D2R鈥檚 mandate, axes, and priorities
• Alignment with the mandate of the Commercialization Priming funding program

Merit Review

• Originality and innovation
• Capacity of the research plan to carry out the innovation or develop the technology
• Feasibility of completing the project and specific aims within the timeframe of the proposal
• Quality and contributions of the researchers to the research
• Commercial potential

EDI Review

For projects deemed fundable, EDI in research design will be evaluated separately. Principal Investigators will be notified of any issues with EDI in the research design. Applicants will have the opportunity to revise this section, which must be satisfactorily updated and approved before the release of funds.

4.1 Funding Decision

The D2R Research Steering Committee (RSC) will review the evaluation committee鈥檚 report, and will consider the project's relevance to D2R's strategic goals and the program budget in its funding decisions.

4.2 G茅nome Qu茅bec Co-Funding

Applications that align with G茅nome Qu茅bec鈥檚 mission of genomics research may be selected for co-funding by G茅nome Qu茅bec.

As per G茅nome Qu茅bec policy, one sixth (1/6) of the Net Revenues resulting from the commercialization of any funded project鈥檚 Intellectual Property will be remitted to G茅nome Qu茅bec, for the purpose of promoting and funding genomics research activities in Quebec.

4.3 Announcement of Results

In general, Principal Investigators will be informed of the results by email within two months of the application deadline.

4.4 Notice of Award

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA), which details the terms, conditions, and reporting obligations.

Successful applicants must complete the D2R Award Acceptance Form and 麻豆传媒网站鈥檚 Research Funding Checklist within two weeks of receiving the NoA. In addition, awardees must obtain all necessary documentation related to ethics, biohazards, and animal care approvals before funds are disbursed.

For questions about the program and application process, contact: D2R [at] mcgill.ca

For support with the commercialization strategy of your proposal and assessing its commercial potential, contact D2R Technology Transfer Manager: sarah.butcher [at] mcgill.ca