1.1 About the Major Partnerships Program

Commercialization of research results and valuable technologies developed using D2R or complementary funding is a major translational focus of the D2R Initiative, as is advancing discoveries into market-ready products, services, and policies. To achieve these goals, D2R aims for robust involvement of various stakeholders throughout the research process, including industry, investment communities, government and public funders, and not-for-profit organizations. D2R’s Major Partnerships Program provides funding to facilitate the engagement of external partners who are uniquely positioned in the translational and commercialization landscape.

This program offers two distinct funding streams and flexibility to accommodate the versatile nature of interactions in the translational and commercialization space. The program aims to support co-funding of D2R researchers and associated projects with different types of partners by matching eligible industry partner contributions. The Major Partnerships program accepts proposals at any time. Awarded projects may be implemented on a schedule that considers the partners’ or co-funders’ needs.

Key Objectives of the Major Partnerships Program

• Developing Partnerships: Collaborate with industry partners to develop a technology or other commercially valuable asset, or to facilitate the integration of this asset to generate translational outcomes. Industry funding can be formalized through a research grant, sponsored research agreement or other type of agreement with Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾.
• Advancing Technologies: Aims to advance ideas, research project or existing technology to stages attractive for licensing, where industry partners or a spinoff company are willing to license any intellectual property developed by Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ its partners, or a spinoff company is established.
• Leveraging External Funding: The Major Partnerships Program can match external programs that support commercialization and rely on both an industry partner and a government funding.
• Other:ÌýThe Major Partnership Program can also co-fund other forms of research partnerships that would bring commercial and translational value to the D2R Initiative.
• Academic Asset Linkage: All technologies, commercially valuable assets, and other academic resources involved must be linked to Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ and reported to the Technology Transfer Office.

1.2 Program Streams & Application Process

Stream 1: One-to-One Cash Leverage

• Allows investigators to collaborate closely with one or more industry partners.
• Matches industry partner contributions up to $500,000 per project for direct costs of research.

View the application instructions for Stream 1: One-to-One Leverage.

Stream 2: Consortium Funding

• Leveraging External Funding: This stream aims to maximize funding provided by external programs that support commercialization and rely on both an industry partner and government funding. These include, but are not limited to, programs available through CQDM (a research consortium facilitating biopharma innovation); MEDTEQ+ (a consortium for health innovation through medical technologies); Mitacs (industry-partnered research and innovation training) or any other agency, foundation, or philanthropic organization that supports innovation in the commercial space.
• Matches industry partner contributions up to $500,000 per project, to maximize support offered by other funders for a potentially higher ratio of public to industry partner funds.

View the application instructions for Stream 2: Consortium Funding.

1.2.1 Application Process

Both funding streams follow a two-stage application process:

• Letter of Intent (LOI): Open to all eligible applicants via an online form. This initial step ensures that approved projects are in alignment with D2R’s mission and the Major Partnerships Program requirements.
• Full Application: By invitation only, following a successful LOI. Projects proceed to detailed evaluation and peer review by a committee of science and business experts.

1.3 D2R Funding and Matching Guidelines

D2R Funding per Project

The maximum D2R funding is $500,000 total per project, for up to three years. This applies to projects under both streams.

Matching Guidelines for Eligible Industry Contributions

The funding request from D2R will match dollar-for-dollar the contribution to direct costs of research made by an industry partner up to a maximum of $500,000. Industry contributions must include at least 50% verified cash (to be received by Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾) and may include up to 50% of eligible in-kind contributions.

To be eligible for D2R matching, in-kind contributions must constitute a specific and verifiable good or service valuated at fair-market value. Proposals that include an in-kind contribution match must also demonstrate how the in-kind contribution has a measurable impact, directly advances and is essential to the research project. D2R reserves the right to make the final determination of eligibility and value regarding cash and in-kind contributions.

* Cash contributions from industry partners must include 27% indirect costs (which is not leveraged by D2R).

1.4 Applicant Eligibility and Limitation

Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility

• Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ 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

• Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ faculty members who hold the role of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor.
• Researchers from D2R’s Partner Institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke and the Montreal Clinical Research Institute/l’Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal). These researchers must be included in the list of researchers provided by the Partner Institutions and approved by D2R. 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾, other academic institutions, industry partners, 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.

Industry Partner

• Industry Partners contribute cash to support the proposed research and may also provide measurable in-kind contributions. See section 1.3 D2R Funding and Matching Guidelines.
• Researchers from these Industry Partners may play key roles in joint research and development of the technologies. In such cases, a biosketch may be included for a key researcher.

Limitations

• 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 Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include salaries and benefits of research trainees and personnel, stipends, materials and supplies, small equipment (up to $10,000), travel, and service contracts. For additional information, refer to the .

1.6 Intellectual Property (IP) Management

D2R will require an agreement with the Industry Partner 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.

If the project involves a co-investigator from a Partner Institution and protectable IP is developed at the Partner Institution during the project, Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ will expect to share in any revenues from commercial activities. Additional agreements will be negotiated as required.

All activities must adhere to Â鶹´«Ã½Íøվ’s Policy on Inventions and Software and that of any Partner Institution involved.

Academic Asset Linkage: All technologies, commercially valuable assets, and other academic resources involved must be linked to Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ and reported to the Technology Transfer Office. The project can be based on existing Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ and Partner Institutions (if applicable) and will be made available for commercial use through licensing.

An LOI package consists of and supporting documents to upload. Use the templates provided, where indicated.

Documents to Upload

• Letter of Intent (Template)
• Biosketches (Template)
• Letter(s) of commitment from Industry Partner

Other Requirements:

• The PI must complete the before submitting an LOI to this program, if not already completed by the PI as part of applying to another D2R program.

2.1 Letter of Intent Instructions

Use the template provided. In a maximum of 2 pages in English or 2.5 pages in French, address the following:

A. Alignment with D2R’s Mission
B. Description of the key approach, the experimental plan, innovation and novelty
C. Team and Partnerships
D. Potential Commercial Outcome

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

2.2 Biosketches

• Use the template provided.
• A biosketch is required for the Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators.
• Biosketches for Collaborators are not required but may be added if desired.
• Compile all biosketches into one PDF file before uploading.

2.3 Letter(s) of Commitment from Industry Partner

A Letter of Commitment should come from the industry partner, not an individual, and demonstrate either an existing partnership or a strong interest in forming a partnership within the short term, for the purpose of the proposed research. A Letter of Commitment must indicate a cash contribution should the project be awarded, along with a description and value of in-kind contributions when relevant. Cash contributions must include 27% indirect costs (which are not matched by D2R).

2.4 Letter of Intent Evaluation Process and Criteria

Administrative Review

Each submission will be reviewed for the team members’ eligibility, LOI completion, and for verification of the Industry Partner contribution.

LOI Evaluation

All eligible LOIs will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Alignment with D2R’s mission
• Team and Partnerships
• Potential Commercial Outcome

LOI Notification

All applicants will be informed of the LOI evaluation outcomes via email within four to six weeks of submission.

Applicants invited to submit a full application will receive comments outlining any specific items that should be addressed in the full application. Applicants to Stream 2: Consortium Funding will receive a conditional letter of commitment of D2R co-funding to include in their full application.

3.1 Full Application to D2R, Stream 1: One-to-One Leverage (by invitation only)

The Principal Investigator must prepare the documents detailed below and submit the application to D2R via the online form.

Notify D2R.funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Major%20Partnerships%20program) of your submission

3.1.1 Document Requirements

Templates and the link to the online application form will be provided upon invitation to submit a full application.

• Project Description

• Updated Biosketches
• Budget & Justification
• Milestones and deliverables
• Reviewer Suggestions
• Updated Letter(s) of Commitment from industry partners, as needed

3.1.1 Letter of Intent Instructions

Use the template provided. In a maximum of 2 pages in English or 2.5 pages in French, provide details each of the following:

A. Alignment with D2R’s Mission
B. Outline of Key Approach, Experimental Plan and Novelty
C. Team and Partnerships
D. Potential Commercial Outcome

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

3.1.2 Project Description

A template will be provided upon invitation.

Adhere to the following page limits for the Project Description.

• Applications written in English: 8 pages, inclusive of references.
• Applications written in French: 9 pages, inclusive of references.

Figures and images may be used in the Project Description 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.

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’s 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.
• Describe the involvement and contribution of partner organization(s)

D. Research Team

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

E. Commercialization Strategy

IP Strategy:

• Describe the current stage of the technology's development (from idea, proof of concept established, prototype, to invention). Include the report of invention (ROI) number and/or patent application number, if applicable.
• Indicate if the technology has been published or disclosed 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 project will advance the technology to a go/no-go scenario for commercial development.

Market Analysis:

• Identify the market your technology aims to address.
• Describe the competitive landscape, including whether any commercially available products solve a similar or identical problem. Provide a brief argument for the differentiation and superiority of the proposed technology, if applicable.

Funding Strategy:

• Detail the potential for future funding and partnerships to advance the commercialization plan.
• Describe the desired business model (licensing the technology, creating a Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Spinoff, etc.), if applicable.

F. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Plan

EDI 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.

EDI in Research Practice:

Thoughtful EDI in research practice should include EDI considerations concerning:

• Team Composition and Recruitment: Describe efforts to assemble a diverse research team, including measures to mitigate systemic barriers in recruitment and enhance diversity. Outline existing strategies and planned improvements.
• Training and Development: Explain how equitable access to training opportunities will be ensured for all team members (faculty, staff, trainees, and partners).
• Inclusion and Accessibility: Describe current and planned measures to create an inclusive and accessible research environment where all members feel valued and integrated.
• Mentorship and Institutional Support: Highlight available mentorship programs and how team members will support each other's professional development beyond research activities. Identify institutional policies and resources that promote EDI within the research setting.

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

G. Budget

This section supplements the Excel sheet, and should not be used to duplicate its content.

• Provide a high-level, narrative summary of the budget and justifications.
• Outline the key budget items, ensuring they correspond with the values listed in the budget forms provided.
• Note any budget items that may require additional context or justification.

H. References

• List works cited, including DOIs where available.

3.1.3 Biosketch

• Use the template provided.

• A biosketch is required for the Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators.
• Biosketch for a key researcher from Partners may be included (see section 1.3), if desired.
• Biosketches for Collaborators are not required.

• Compile all biosketches into 1 PDF.

3.1.4 Budget and Justification

• Use the Excel template provided.

3.1.5 Timelines and Milestones

• Use the Excel template provided.

3.1.6 Reviewer Suggestions

• Suggestions for External Reviewers. Use the Excel template provided.

3.1.7 Letter(s) of Commitment from Industry Partners

If any details of the industry partner’s commitment have changed from the LOI stage, the partner must provide an updated letter of commitment detailing their cash and in-kind support.

3.1.8 Application submission

All required documents must be submitted via online form. PIs must notify D2R.Funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Major%20Partnerships%20program%20application) of their submission.

3.1.9 Full Application Evaluation Process and Criteria

Administrative Review

The full application will undergo an administrative review of the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator(s)' eligibility, budget appropriateness, and completeness of the application.

External Scientific Merit Review:

All applications will be reviewed by external reviewers in the field for the following:

Alignment with D2R’s Mission

• Alignment with D2R’s mandate, axes, and priorities
• Alignment with the mandate of the Major Partnerships 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

Investment and Commercialization Committee Review:

Following external merit review, all applications will be reviewed by the D2R Investment and Commercialization Committee. The committee will make mandatory conflict of interest declarations on each project before reviewing the following:

• Alignment with D2R’s mandate, axes, and priorities
• Commercial potential and alignment with the Major Partnerships program mandate

The committee will then issue a funding recommendation and comments for final decision by the D2R Research Steering Committee.

EDI Review

For projects deemed fundable, EDI 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.

3.1.10 Funding Decision and Post-Award

Funding Decision

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

Announcement of Results

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

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 Â鶹´«Ã½Íøվ’s Research Funding Checklist within two weeks of receiving the NoA. Awardees must obtain all necessary documentation related to ethics, biohazards, and animal care approvals before funds are disbursed.

The involved parties will also be required to sign a research agreement outlining the terms of the project before funds are disbursed.

3.2 Full application to External Funder, Stream 2: Consortium Funding

3.2.1 Full Application (by invitation only)

The full application is submitted to another funder. A copy of the submission must be sent to D2R.Funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Major%20Partnerships%20program) at the time of the submission.

The Principal Investigator should follow the application and submission instructions as well as the general rules and regulations provided by the other public funder(s) (e.g. CQDM, MEDTEQ+, Mitacs).

For support with these applications and to submit Â鶹´«Ã½Íøվ’s mandatory online , PIs must contact D2R.funding [at] mcgill.ca?subject=Major%20Partnerships%20program:%20Application%20Support">D2R.funding [at] mcgill.ca instead of Â鶹´«Ã½Íøվ’s Office of Innovation + Partnerships. The budget submitted to other funders must include the D2R co-funding conditionally committed in the LOI notification stage.

3.2.2 Evaluation Process

As Stream 2 (Consortium Funding) involves an application to an external funder, that external funder’s evaluation process will prevail. PIs must keep the D2R office informed on the status of their application(s) to other funders.

3.2.3 Funding Decision and Post-Award

Funding Decision

D2R will coordinate with the other public funders for the scientific review and decision, ensuring that all requirements and agreements are in place.

Investment and Commercialization Committee Review:

Following a successful notice of decision from the external funder, all applications will be reviewed by the D2R Investment and Commercialization Committee. The committee will make mandatory conflict of interest declarations on each project before reviewing the following:

• Alignment with D2R’s mandate, axes, and priorities
• Commercial potential and alignment with the mandate of the Major Partnerships program

The committee will then issue a funding recommendation and comments for final decision by the D2R Research Steering Committee.

Successful applicants will receive a D2R Notice of Award (NoA), which details the terms, conditions, and reporting obligations. Successful applicants must complete the D2R Award Acceptance Form and Â鶹´«Ã½Íøվ’s Research Funding Checklist within two weeks of receiving the NoA.

Post-Award and Fund Opening

In addition to any agreements required by the other funder(s), D2R will require a research agreement in place prior to the start of a funded project.

Once the required agreements are in place and the awardee has provided all necessary documentation related to ethics, biohazards, and animal care approvals, funds will be disbursed to the awardee as per the agreed upon schedule.