Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP)

The Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) funds downstream research and development (R&D) projects that address real world opportunities and challenges identified by industry, government, not-for-profits and other “Receptors” of genomics knowledge and technologies.

GAPP projects are collaborations between academic researchers and Receptor organizations. They are co-funded by Receptors and other stakeholders, and have the potential to generate significant social and/or economic benefits for Canada.

The GAPP aims to:

• Accelerate the application of Canadian genomics-derived solutions to real-world opportunities and challenges defined by industry and public sector Receptors.
• Channel Canada’s genomics capacity into sustainable innovations that benefit Canadians.
• Enhance the value of Canadian genomics technologies by de-risking and incentivizing follow-on investment from industry and other partners.
• Foster mutually beneficial collaboration and knowledge exchange between Canadian academia and technology receptors.

For examples of previously funded projects, see Funded GAPP Projects

Key Parameters of the Program:

• Total project size: $300,000 to $6 million.
• Co-Funding: 1/3 investment from Genome Canada, 1/3 provided by the Receptor partner (cash or in-kind) and 1/3 of other co-funding (non-GC). For more information see Section 9 and Appendix 2 of the GAPP Investment Strategy and Guidelines.
• Project term: 1 – 3 years. Shorter or longer terms will be considered only if strong rationale is provided.
• Project stage: Small-scale proof-of-concept / pilot projects through to large-scale projects will be accepted. Projects should not be in discovery phase.

Project eligibility 

To be eligible for the GAPP, a project must:

• Develop and apply a genomics-derived tool, product or process to an opportunity or challenge defined by the Receptor(s);
• Focus on late stage R&D that will position the innovation for near-term implementation / commercialization;
• Be co-led by an academic and a Receptor organization in partnership, with active and necessary roles for both; and
• Demonstrate the potential to generate significant social and/or economic benefits for Canada.

Application Process

There is a three-stage, gated application process for this program:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
2. Project Pitch
3. Supplementary Proposal

At each of the above stages, Ontario Genomics has developed a due diligence review process, where a panel of industry experts and entrepreneurs provide feedback to help teams navigate the application and increase their competitiveness. These reviews are mandatory for all Ontario projects.

Applicants should anticipate the following phases in the application process:

• Submission of draft EOI to Ontario Genomics.
• Face-to-face business pitch to due diligence review panel (see panel members).
• Development of final EOI through active collaboration with Ontario Genomics.
• Submission of EOI to Genome Canada.
• Teams invited to Project Pitch stage: Perform practice pitch with Ontario Genomics before official pitch to Genome Canada.
• Teams invited to Supplementary Proposal stage: Submit draft applications to Ontario Genomics for panel review before submission to Genome Canada.

Application Forms and Submission:
For copies of the current forms, or to submit an EOI, please contact Shobha Ramsubir

Important Documents:

• Investment Strategy and Guidelines
• GAPP Financial Guide

Competition Timelines

Round 9:

*Applicants that miss this deadline may be moved to a later round of the GAPP.

Future rounds: To be determined

For questions on the GAPP program, please contact Shobha Ramsubir, Senior Manager, Business Development & Research at sramsubir@OntarioGenomics.ca