SynergiQc program for biopharmaceutical research
Highlights
This program is a fantastic opportunity for your business. It offers substantial funding to support your biopharmaceutical research projects. By participating, you can access up to $3.75 million if you are a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or up to $7.5 million for larger companies. This funding can cover up to 40% of eligible project expenses for SMEs and 20% for larger enterprises.
Key Benefits:
- Significant Financial Support: Up to $1.5 million over three years for SMEs, and the same amount for larger companies.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Enhance your technological innovation by partnering with Quebec universities and research centers.
- Economic Impact: Generate socio-economic benefits for Quebec and your business.
Why Apply?
- Flexible Funding: The program allows for other matched funding sources, including Canadian and foreign companies, foundations, and non-MEI government grants.
- Ease of Qualification: The program is designed to be accessible, with clear eligibility criteria and a straightforward application process.
- Long-term Benefits: Foster technological maturation and industrial value creation, benefiting both your business and the broader Quebec economy.
Applying for this program can significantly boost your research capabilities and drive economic growth for your business and the region.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
This program offers a grant, which means there is no repayment required and no interest rates applicable.
Eligible Expenses:
The grant can be used for the following expenses:
- Fellowships, wages, and fringe benefits for research personnel (technicians, research assistants, associates, postdoctoral fellows, and students).
- Laboratory equipment, consumables, supplies, animal housing, and platform fees.
- Travel expenses related to the project, collaborations, and conferences.
- Knowledge dissemination costs.
- Intellectual property costs (patent applications and maintenance fees during the project).
- Rental or purchase of small equipment (up to $25,000) necessary for the project.
- Some subcontracting expenses to Quebec companies not partnered in the project, if essential and not performable by the research institution.
Ineligible Expenses:
The grant cannot be used for:
- In-kind expenses by partner companies (only eligible for projects involving large Quebec companies).
- Lease or purchase of facilities and equipment valued over $25,000.
- Salary of the principal investigator (PI) and co-investigators from universities and their affiliated research centers.
Fees:
There are no fees associated with this grant program.
Qualifications
- Must have a place of business in Quebec.
- Must be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law.
- Must be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register.
- Must have R&D and/or production activities in Quebec.
- Must have a significant participation in the project.
- For SMEs:
- Must have 249 employees or less.
- Must contribute to the funding of the research project, in cash, for a minimum of 20% of the eligible expenses.
For large enterprises:
- Must have 250 employees or more.
- Must contribute a minimum of 40% of eligible expenses to the research project.
- In-kind contributions can be up to 50% of the industrial partner contribution.
Disqualifications:
- In-kind contributions by partner companies are only eligible in the case of projects involving only large Quebec companies.
- Lease (or purchase) of facilities and purchase of equipment valued over $25,000.
- Salary of the principal investigator (PI) and co-investigators from universities and their affiliated research centers.
Description
This program aims to support biopharmaceutical research in Quebec by funding projects that involve collaboration between universities and companies. Your business can receive up to $3.75 million if you partner with a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or up to $7.5 million if you collaborate with larger companies.
The funding can be used for:
- Research and development activities
- Conducting clinical trials
- Purchasing laboratory equipment and supplies
- Travel expenses related to the project
- Intellectual property costs
Key benefits include:
- Up to 40% of eligible project expenses covered if partnering with an SME, or up to 20% if partnering with larger companies.
- Flexible funding sources: Up to 40% of the required funding can come from other sources, including Canadian and foreign companies, foundations, or non-MEIE government grants.
- Duration: Projects can last from 1 to 3 years, giving you ample time to achieve your research goals.
This program is a great opportunity to advance your biopharmaceutical research while fostering valuable collaborations and generating economic benefits for Quebec.
Program Steps
Notify Intent to Apply: Notify CQDM of your intent to apply at least 7 days before the deadline. Email a half-page non-confidential scientific summary to [email protected].
Contact CQDM: Contact Mathieu Paquette, Director – Business Development, to validate your project's eligibility and obtain the application form and budget template. Email: [email protected].
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documentation for your application. This includes:
- Project title
- Principal Investigator’s (PI) name and affiliations
- Project’s total budget
- Details of private partners involved and their respective contributions
- Letters of support from corporate partners
Complete Application Form: Fill out the application form provided by CQDM, ensuring all sections are completed accurately.
Submit Application: Send the completed application, including all required documents and letters of support, to [email protected] by the specified deadline.
Review and Approval: CQDM will review your application through an independent scientific evaluation and a review of non-scientific aspects. The CQDM scientific advisory committee will make funding recommendations, followed by approval from CQDM’s Board of Directors and the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE).
Sign Agreements: If approved, sign the research agreement and intellectual property agreement within 3 months of receiving CQDM’s approval letter. CQDM will provide the research agreement template, which includes project milestones, timelines, and deliverables.