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Disruptive Innovations in Genomics (DIG) Phase 2 Funding Competition

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Ontario Genomics, the future is in our genes banner with dna imagery

On July 26, 2017 Genome Canada launched a Request for Applications (RFA) seeking proposals for research projects which focus on Disruptive Innovations in Genomics.

For the purposes of this competition, a Disruptive Innovation must be either a new genomics technology or the application of an existing technology from another field, applied to the field of genomics. The Innovation must be truly transformative in that it has the potential to either displace an existing technology, disrupt an existing market or create a new market. A Disruptive Innovation offers the capability to do things not previously possible and is not an incremental improvement of an existing technology.

This is a cloased competition open only to eligible projects funded through the previous DIG Phase 1 competition. The Phase 2 competition aims to support projects focused on prototype development. The timeline below for Phase 2 funding will allow eligible projects to continue to Phase 2 without a gap in funding, and for projects not approved for Phase 2 funding to wind down.

All applicants must demonstrate, with supporting evidence, the potential for the innovation to be disruptive, have impact within the technology space, and eventually benefits to Canada. In addition, Phase 2 projects must have clear deliverables that will be realized by the end of the project and a plan which explains the next steps of how the deliverables from the research will be transferred, disseminated, used, and/or applied to realize the benefits.

In order to better prepare Ontario-led projects for this competition, OGI will do an initial eligibility assessment of registrations and will coordinate an external review of eligible applications prior to submission to Genome Canada. Please note that to accommodate this process the deadlines for submission to OGI differ from those in the official RFA from Genome Canada. Eligible applicants will receive feedback on their applications including gaps and areas for improvement.

Researchers in Ontario intending to submit an application are strongly encouraged to contact OGI to discuss details of the competition such as the scope, the application process, and co-funding requirements.

Funding Available

There is approximately $5.5 million available for this competition from Genome Canada. Please see the table below for the funding breakdown and co-funding requirements:

Phase 2
Genome Canada Funding Available Approx. $5.5M
Co-funding At least two thirds of project budget
Genome Canada Investment per Project (Maximum) $1M
Term of Project (Maximum) Three years

2016 Genomics Technology Platforms Competition: Operations Support and Technology Development Funds

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Ontario Genomics banner with dna imagery

Genome Canada’s mission includes a commitment to provide researchers across Canada access to leading edge genomic1 technologies. Genome Canada fulfills this part of its mandate by supporting a number of genomics technology platforms across Canada.

Each technology platform provides researchers access to high throughput genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing, RNA expression, protein identification and quantitation, and metabolomics, as well as new method and protocol development, data analysis and bioinformatics. Each platform also assists researchers in the development of research proposals by providing advice on appropriate technologies, study design, data analysis and bioinformatics that improves the quality of the research. The platforms also develop new and improved genomic technologies ensuring that the services they provide are able to support cutting edge genomics research.

This funding opportunity has two main objectives:

  1. To select the technology platforms best able to provide Canadian researchers access to leading edge genomic technologies and methods.
  2. To enable the selected platforms to develop new technologies and/or improve existing technologies that will improve services provided by the platform and will ensure that they remain at the forefront in providing access to leading edge genomics technologies and methods.

Funds Available

  • This is an open competition for a five-year funding period with a maximum total envelope of $15 million per year available from Genome Canada. The last two years of funding are subject to the successful outcome of an interim review for each platform and Genome Canada securing additional funding.
  • The maximum available funds from Genome Canada for each successful platform will be $2 million per year over five years.
  • 1:1 co-funding will be required. In cases where co-funding is associated with technology development, the co-funding must be allocated specifically for the proposed technology development project.

Each potential technology platform must provide access to leading edge genomic technologies on a fee-for-service basis and show demand for services based on past, current and potential future projects.

1.The term genomics is defined here as the comprehensive study, using high throughput technologies, of the genetic information of a cell or organism, including the function of specific genes, their interactions with each other and the activation and suppression of genes. For purposes of describing Genome Canada’s mandate it also includes related disciplines such as bioinformatics, epigenomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, proteomics and transcriptomics.

Pre-commercial Business Development Fund (PBDF)

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

PBDF Pre-commercial business development fund, ontario genomics banner. there is a blue lightbulb that is lit up in the left-hand corner

Ontario Genomics, through its Pre-commercial Business Development Fund (PBDF), is a committed investment partner supporting late-stage academic research and early-stage companies developing promising “’omics [1]” and ’omics-enabled technologies.

The PBDF is an investment fund uniquely focused on enabling the advancement of Ontario ’omics research projects and technology development toward commercialization and economic impact. Specifically, it aims to provide early-stage financial support as companies (with or without academic collaborators) move towards commercial applications, to speed up the transfer of products from R&D to market.

The Partnership

The fund invests up to C$100,000 per project. Our partnership with recipients includes not only financing, but also mentorship and guidance during the programs’ execution phase and thereafter based on our strong understanding of ’omics technologies and their potential commercial applications. Previous recipients of PBDF funding have included Ontario universities, research institutes and start-up companies.

Our Objectives

  • Create downstream economic benefits from ’omics research;
  • Support scientific entrepreneurs and start-ups; and
  • Generate returns for future PBDF investments.

Areas of Interest

Broad areas of interest for the PBDF include (but are not restricted to):

  • Biofuels, bioproducts
  • Human or animal diagnostics
  • Human or animal therapeutics
  • Crop or livestock trait improvements
  • Environmental management (related to water, mining, energy, other)
  • Forestry, natural resources
  • Laboratory and medical devices
  • Food, nutrition
  • Informatics including databases, software, other tools

Funding Criteria

We look for promising projects or opportunities that:

  • Leverage ’omics and associated technologies, and
  • Fall in the proof-of-principle (validation) phase of research.

We look for a balance of best-in-class, innovative science and high commercial potential.

The PBDF ranks opportunities in terms of the extent to which they meet the following criteria:

  • The investment would increase the likelihood of a near-term (i.e. within 24 months), ‘next-step’ event by offering concrete, definitive milestone(s) and uniquely enables rapid progress towards the marketplace for the outcome(s) of ’omics and related technologies.
  • The company should be capable of, and committed to, commercialization of the outcome of the project.
  • The proposal demonstrates that the PBDF represents a unique funding opportunity for the project at this stage.  Although matching funds (cash or in-kind) are required, a 1:1 match is not necessary.
  1. where “’omics” includes genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, bioinformatics and other related disciplines that involve systematic, comprehensive and high-throughput procedures to study cellular constituents and function

AcCELLerate-ON

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AcCELLerate-ON, Canada’s first regional cellular agriculture competition, funds four cutting edge cellular agriculture-focused food and beverage projects

With a potential result of food innovations that will create billions in economic value for Canada and environmental benefit for the world, Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) and Ontario Genomics launched AcCELLerate-ON, Canada’s first regional cellular agriculture competition. Designed to spark food innovation, this program will support the research and development of viable food production methods such as cell culture, precision fermentation, tissue engineering, scaffolding and hybridizing production capabilities.

Funded Projects

On May 3, 2022 The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) and Ontario Genomics have announced the recipients of more than $900K in funding through their AcCELLerate-ON competition. AcCELLerate-ON is Canada’s first regional cellular agriculture competition, supporting the research and development of novel and innovative viable food production methods with the intent to drive economic growth and Ontario’s global leadership in this new and sustainable way to produce food.

The four genomics and engineering biology projects were chosen for their potential to drive food innovation, address industry opportunities, solve challenges, and benefit the cellular agriculture ecosystem and food and beverage industry in Ontario.

Landing Pad Investment Program (LPIP)

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Driving forward our vision of developing the engineering biology ecosystem within Ontario and Canada, Ontario Genomics is enabling start-ups by providing investment and in-kind support through the Landing Pad Investment Program (LPIP).

The Landing Pad Investment Program aligns well with our strategic goals to advance genomics, applied research, and innovation to drive industry’s competitiveness, by providing access to high-risk investment, fostering connections between businesses, funders, investors and others, and advocating for policies that enable commercialization and implementation of genomics-based technologies. This enables a higher return on investments in genomics technology research, development and commercialization, filling a critical gap in Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem.

Ontario Genomics offers support to start-ups that attend an International Accelerator Program and wish to return to Ontario upon completion. Our official partner IndieBio (San Francisco & New York), backed by the global venture capital firm SOSV., offers $250,000 USD to companies accepted to their program. Successful applicants returning to Ontario from IndieBio or another approved international accelerator program may receive up to $100,000 CAD in investment from Ontario Genomics.

We are also working with Ontario Incubator Partners to provide access to laboratory space and mentorship. The mentorship includes regulatory pathway assistance, global outlook and connections, understanding of export markets, business model strategy, technical development, funding and foreign investment. Our partners are some of Ontario’s leading incubators and support organizations such as Velocity, Synapse, McMaster Innovation Park and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Science Discovery Zone (SDZ).

Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams (GiSIRT)

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The Genomics in Society program aims to bring researchers from different regions, sectors and disciplines together to investigate factors affecting the advancement, adoption, evaluation and governance of genomics research and address issues at the intersection of genomics and society that will ultimately contribute to Canada’s leadership and social and/or economic benefits in these sectors.

This program helps address one of the action items in the response to the Review of Integrated GE3LS program (Genomics and its Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Social Aspects) by supporting GE3LS research through funding mechanisms in addition to integrated GE3LS research.

Funded Ontario GiSIRT Projects

2020

On March 2, 2020 Genome Canada announced the launch of three projects within its Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams (hereafter “Genomics in Society”) program. These three Genomics in Society projects represent a total investment of $5.8 million ($2.6 million from Genome Canada and $3.2 million from co-funding partners including provincial governments, private sector and not-for-profit organizations).

Ontario Regional Priorities Partnership Program (ON-RP3)

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The Ontario Regional Priorities Partnership Program (ON-RP3) is supporting Ontario-focused, industry-academic partnership projects that will positively impact Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

The funding is supporting proof-of-concept stage projects that will deliver genomics/genomics-derived technologies, tools and processes to provide solutions to industry-identified challenges or opportunities within the sector. ON-RP3 will help industry take applied research to the implementation and commercialization stages. These solutions will be implemented by 2024.

Funded Ontario RP3 Projects

2019

On December 5, 2019 Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, announced the eight successful ON-RP3 project teams. In total, eight projects are being funded across Ontario through a $2M investment by the Agricultural Adaptation Council and Ontario Genomics (through Genome Canada). This investment is leveraging $975,000 in industry contributions, for a total of over $2.95 M to drive genomics-derived technologies, tools and processes to create more jobs and grow the Ontario economy.

Large Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition

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The Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition provides support to large-scale genomics research projects using genomic approaches to address challenges in Canada’s main economic sectors, as well as strategic initiative programs that address national and international opportunities. Launched on May 17, 2010, the funding for this competition is targeted to projects focused on applying genomics research to create socio-economic benefits for Canada, to be realized or initiated before the end of the project

Funded Ontario LSARP Projects

On July 26, 2021 Ontario Genomics announced a total investment of over $39 million into the Large Scale Applied Research Program (LSARP) projects from across Ontario that will help address the impact of climate change and pollution. Genome Canada announced funding for eight Canadian projects under the Genomic Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment competition with an overall budget of $58.6 million. Five of the eight projects involve Ontario researchers, with over $39 million of the nationwide budget being received by provincial researchers.

On July 23, 2019, The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced the $29.3 million investment in the 2018 Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition: Genomics Solutions for Agriculture, Agri-food, Fisheries and Aquaculture. The eight (8) projects approved for funding use genomics to advance the sustainability, productive capacity and competitive position of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food & fisheries and aquaculture sectors, thereby strengtheing Canada’s economy and the wellbeing of Canadians. Ontario Genomics is leading or co-leading (5) research projects bringing $9.8M of federal funding to Ontario which leverages an additional of $17.1M for a total investment of nearly $27M.

On January 23, 2018, Genome Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and project cofunding partners, announced an investment of approx. $162 million over four years in 15 new genomics and precision health projects. These projects – spanning multiple disease areas – demonstrate how genomics-based research can contribute to a more evidence-based approach to health and thereby improve health outcomes for patients, as well as enhance the cost-effectiveness of Canada’s health-care system. Four (4) research projects through Ontario Genomics were approved for funding:

On December 8, 2016, Genome Canada announced the $110 million investment in the 2015 LSARP competition. The thirteen projects approved for funding use genomics to address the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s natural resources and environment sectors to drive sustainability, growth, productivity, commercialization and global competitiveness. Three (3) research projects through Ontario Genomics – with one Genome British Columbia co-lead – were approved for funding:

On July 21, 2015, Genome Canada announced the $93 million investment in the 2014 LSARP competition. The eleven projects approved for funding applied genomics in the agri-food and fisheries/aquaculture sectors to address challenges and opportunities related to global food safety, security and sustainable production. Three (3) research projects received funding through Ontario Genomics:

 

On March 26, 2013, Genome Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, announced the $149.8 million investment in the 2012 LSARP competition. The seventeen projects approved for funding were focused on the application of genomics to tailor patient treatments and therapies in fields as diverse as epilepsy, autism, HIV/AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare neurological diseases, and stroke. Four (4) research projects received funding through Ontario Genomics, and one project was co-led with Genome Quebec:

On May 9, 2011, Genome Canada announced the results of the 2010 LSARP competition. Three (3) projects received funding through Ontario Genomics, with a combined total investment of $23.8 million ($11.3 million from Genome Canada, $12.5 million from co-funding):

Societal Implications of Genomics Research

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The overall objective of the Genome Canada and SSHRC joint initiative is to support social sciences and humanities research and related activities that will enrich our understanding of the societal implications of genomic research. It is also intended to help build the cadre of social sciences and humanities scholars interested in pursuing genomics-related research collaborations and facilitate their becoming part of multidisciplinary teams applying to Genome Canada applied research competitions.

Pre-commercial Business Development Fund (PBDF)

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The Pre-commercial Business Development Fund (PBDF) is an investment fund uniquely focused on enabling the advancement of Ontario ’omics research projects and technology development toward commercialization and economic impact. Specifically, it aims to provide early-stage financial support as companies (with or without academic collaborators) move towards commercial applications, to speed up the transfer of products from R&D to market. Through this program, Ontario Genomics has become a committed investment partner supporting late-stage academic research and early-stage companies developing promising “’omics [1]” and ’omics-enabled technologies.

[1] where “’omics” includes genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, bioinformatics and other related disciplines that involve systematic, comprehensive and high-throughput procedures to study cellular constituents and function

PBDF Investment Portfolio

 

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