Empowering Data-Driven Breakthroughs in Healthcare 

The Clinical Innovation Platform (CLIP) and the Computational and Data Systems Institute (CDSI) are pleased to announce a joint call for proposals for the Medical Innovation Exploration (MedEx) Program. Supported by the Richard Baylis Innovation Fund, the awards provide critical funding to transform promising ideas into high-impact healthcare and medical technologies.

At the heart of every funded project, computational or data systems must be the engine driving the solution to an unmet clinical need. We are looking for unconventional, cross-disciplinary teams ready to tackle health challenges through digital, computational or data system solutions.

Thank you for your interest! Submit your Intent to Apply below by April 14, 2026.

MedEx Program Intent to Apply Form

Overview

Innovation Concept Creation Phase

For new collaborations exploring early-stage, unconventional solutions to medical challenges and assessing their feasibility. 

Emphasis is placed upon encouraging and empowering new, unconventional, cross-disciplinary teams to generate intellectual property that has value in addressing clinical needs through innovative solutions as well as their feasibility. 

The Innovation Concept Phase stream is eligible for up to $15,000 in funding. 

Innovation Proof of Concept

Supports established teams or individuals with approved McGill Reports of Invention or pre-existing IP or products working on validation, field trials, end users feedback, prototyping, pre-clinical testing, demonstration of value, showcasing etc. of an innovative solution to a clinical need, ideally for which a report of invention or IP has been filed. Emphasis is on implementing a short program with a set of well-defined deliverables that demonstrate the potential for commercialization or/and implementation. 

CLIP can assist in helping plan proof of concept studies (email anne.mathiot [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (anne[dot]mathiot[at]muhc[dot]mcgill[dot]ca) for any enquiries).

The Innovation Proof of Concept stream is eligible for up to $30,000 in funding, with $15,000 provided when awarded and the remaining $15,000 upon receipt of a progress report at the mid-point of the project timeline. 

Selection Criteria 

Only complete proposal packages submitted by the full application deadline will be reviewed. 

Applications are evaluated based on:  

  • A clear demonstration of the MedEx program objectives, including   
  1. the Innovative nature of the solution   
  1. engaging computing, data, and systems at the core of the proposed research  
  1. a multi-disciplinary team (if appropriate)
  • The quality, novelty, and feasibility of the innovative solution and associated mechanisms   
  • A high potential for commercialization, further collaborations and future impact through next steps  
  • Team composition, both in terms of domains necessary to address identified challenges and diversity and inclusion 
    • Individuals may apply if teams are yet to be created, or team-based approaches are not currently appropriate or necessary

 

Application Requirements 

  • Lead applicants must be an active student, staff member, or Principal Investigator (PI) at McGill (e.g. a tenure-track professor).
  • Applications are open to members of all McGill faculties. 
  • Teams must be comprised of primarily of active members of McGill. 
  • Eligible costs are (i) HR compensation (stipends, salaries and benefits for students/post-docs), (ii) materials and supplies, (iii) IP-related fees, (iv) essential travel that cannot be covered by other means, (v) Study costs, (e.g. ethical approvals), (vi) other costs that may be approved if applicants can make the case as to how the expenditures are enabling and are not covered by other means.
  • Proof of Concept applications should have an approved McGill University report of invention (provide ROI numbers and name of OSRI contact), or have a published patent application (provide number), or an issued patent, or other proprietary IP such as branding/ know how etc. or are currently selling a product or licensing a technology.  The funds are intended to enable demonstration of clinical value or strengthen data for further protection or broaden indications or product portfolio.
  • The Innovation Concept Creation Phase stream is eligible to receive up to $15,000; the Proof of Concept stream is eligible to receive up to $30,000. 

 

Application Process 

  1. Submit a letter of intent (LOI): provide a brief description of your (i) intended research and (ii) proposed team members; this helps CDSI plan for the review process. A link to the LOI submission form will be located on this page when the competition opens. 
  1. Write a full application: eligible LOIs will receive a link to the full application by email. 
  1. Wait for the review: a team of CDSI-curated experts will review the applications and provide an update on the status of your application within 4-6 weeks.