10 projects have been selected for co-funding with CQDM and MEDTEQ.
Overview
Under this program, Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) provides 1:1 matching funds for projects with a high potential impact through existing programs offered by the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation (MEI). Co-funding is available for up to 40% of the total project cost but the maximum contribution from HBHL is $200,000.
MEI co-funding is available through:
- CQDM Quantum Leap and SynergiQc programs
- MEDTEQ+ Industrial Consortium for Research and Innovation in Medical Technologies
| Eligibility | [New as of 2022] This program is now open to 1) projects that involve McGill spin-offs for first-time applicants and/or 2) projects that have previously received the HBHL Ignite grant. |
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Value |
1:1 match to funding from CQDM/MEDTEQ+, up to 40% of the total project cost The maximum contribution from HBHL is $200,000 |
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Timelines |
Requests for co-funding from HBHL should be submitted at least 3 weeks before the CQDM or MEDTEQ+ deadlines |
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Evaluation |
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Submission |
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Eligibility
The project must be within the field of neuroscience, align with HBHL's vision and research themes, and comply with the eligibility criteria of HBHL and the partner agency (CQDM or MEDTEQ+). Specifically,
- CQDM and MEDTEQ+ require that at least one of the project partners be a company registered in the Province of Quebec; and
- HBHL requires that the Principal Investigator be McGill University faculty and be eligible to hold Tri-Agency research funding
Additional eligibility criteria [new as of 2022]:
The program is now open only to:
- Projects that have a McGill spin-off as the main project partner for first-time applicants, and/or to
- Previous HBHL Ignite projects, for which the eligibility criterion remains that the main project partner must be a company registered in the Province of Quebec.
In addition, if a PI has already received funding through the Neuro-Partnerships program and would like to re-apply to the program, either 1) with a project that constitutes a continuation of the original funded research or 2) in collaboration with the same company, in both of the above circumstances, the following criteria will apply:
- HBHL will accept the application only if its financial contribution to the previous funded project was less than $200,000 and,
- The HBHL total contribution (across all applications) does not exceed $200,000.
This is to say that: HBHL will not contribute more than $200,000 total (across all applications) to any research project (including continuations) or to any PI-partner pair.
Examples:
Jane Smith received $150,000 from the Neuro-Partnerships program in 2018 with partner ABC Co.. She now has an idea for a continuation of this research. She may apply for up to $50,000 from the Neuro-Partnerships program (whether with the same partner or a different partner).
Toby Zane received $80,000 from the Neuro-Partnerships program in 2019 with partner ZYX Co. They now wish to apply to the program again but for an entirely different research project. This new project will also be with ZYX Co. They may apply for a maximum of $120,000 from the Neuro-Partnerships program.
John Doe received $100,000 from the Neuro-Partnerships program in 2017 with partner JKL Co. He now has a totally new idea with a new partner. He may apply for up to $200,000 in funding from the Neuro-Partnerships program.
Intellectual Property [NEW as of 2022]
In order to align with the established standards for research agreements between industry partners and McGill researchers, HBHL requires the following wording be added to all relevant documents signed between the parties involved:
- “Without divesting either party of Intellectual Property rights that have come to being prior to this agreement, all forward Intellectual Property shall vest in McGill.”
- “McGill hereby grants the Sponsor/Partner a time-limited option to negotiate an exclusive (or non-exclusive) royalty-bearing license to use the Forward Intellectual Property under commercially reasonable terms and conditions to be negotiated in good faith by the parties.”
Timelines
Applications must be submitted during regular CQDM and MEDTEQ+ competitions. Project timelines will follow the schedules established by CQDM and MEDTEQ+. Please submit your application for HBHL co-funding at least 3 weeks in advance of the CQDM or MEDTEQ+ deadlines.
Submission Process
Applicants may seek co-funding from HBHL for a proposal submitted to CQDM or MEDTEQ+ during their regular competitions. To be eligible for HBHL funding, applicants must:
- Ensure that requests for co-funding are supported by documentation that complies with the application criteria of both HBHL and the partner agency, CQDM or MEDTEQ+
- Complete the HBHL online submission form, upload the completed CQDM or MEDTEQ+ application package and upload a certificate of completion (incl. name and date) from at least one of CIHR’s Online Training Modules on Integrating Sex and Gender in Health Research
- Please submit the package 3 weeks ahead of the CQDM or MEDTEQ+ deadline
Evaluation
The NeuroSphere team will designate a review panel consisting of internal and external experts to evaluate each application with regard to:
- Alignment with HBHL Research Themes
- Relevance to HBHL objectives
- Whether the funding request is reasonable in relation to the scope of work, total project budget, and other partner contributions
- How your team will advance HBHL commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)?*
- How sex- and gender-based analysis plus (SGBA+) is integrated into the proposed project.*
- *These two will be reviewed separately by appropriate experts. Applicants may be asked to revise the EDI and/or SGBA+ sections prior to receiving funding if reviewers deem it inadequate.
The McGill Innovation and Partnerships (I+P) Office will complete an Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization assessment for each application.
The relevant partner agency (CQDM or MEDTEQ+) will perform the scientific review.
Strategic Selection and Final Approval
Upon completion of the review, the NeuroSphere staff will submit the application to the HBHL Innovation Committee for final decision and approval of the HBHL contribution. To reach a funding decision, the HBHL Innovation Committee will consider both the results of the peer review as well as the strategic investment value of the application in contributing to HBHL’s innovation objectives (e.g., remaining funding, priority areas, continued support to promising existing projects, etc.)
All HBHL co-funding is conditional upon obtaining an award from CQDM or MEDTEQ+.
Post-award
- All applicants will be notified by email of the results of their application
- Successful applicants will be sent a Notice of Award (NoA)
Contact
For additional information: neurosphere [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Neuro-Partnerships%20Program)
