{"id":425,"date":"2024-05-13T17:09:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T21:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/?post_type=program&#038;p=425"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:13:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:13:47","slug":"synergiqc","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/programs\/synergiqc\/","title":{"rendered":"SynergiQC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-cbe57604 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SynergiQc.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2799\" style=\"width:165px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SynergiQc.png 512w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SynergiQc-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SynergiQc-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<p class=\"is-style-intro has-deep-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1604659b1da4a189781f31dfef29c5be\">Our biopharmaceutical R&amp;D funding program designed to support business innovation in Quebec via research projects undertaken in collaboration with public research centres in Quebec.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-deep-blue-color has-grey-100-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ad50c608ace2ba892ba8ab869dcaa0ac\"><strong>Deadline: June 10th, 2026<\/strong><br><em>Please contact mpaquette@cqdm.org for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:40% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/iStock-986675052.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3618 size-full\" title=\"\"><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"is-style-intro has-deep-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3970ed3f050a6676ed7a9999080c9a57\"><strong>Additional funding opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-deep-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-4ae1ba42605a807472be8c9bb50d0666\">Partnerships have been&nbsp;established&nbsp;to complement&nbsp;SynergiQc&nbsp;program funding for specific research areas. Explore the current opportunities below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-deep-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-013635f4df234c7875e489c01b2f2ed8\">\n<li><strong>RNA therapies<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with the&nbsp;<strong>D2R<\/strong>&nbsp;initiative: grants of <strong>up to $2 million <\/strong>per selected project<br>Deadline:&nbsp;<strong>rolling basis.<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcgill.ca\/dna-to-rna\/funding-opportunities\/major-partnerships-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here for more details<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/SynergiQC_Summary_2024-10-05.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Please find a program summary <strong>here<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordions-group block-accordions-group accordion-container\">\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"general-framework\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">General framework<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p>Through the <strong>SynergiQc <\/strong>program, CQDM aims to promote industrial-scale biopharmaceutical research conducted in collaboration with public research centres, which will bring positive economic benefits to Quebec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SynergiQc enables a broad and varied network of businesses that work in life sciences (pharmaceutical businesses, biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, etc.) to participate, as a group or exclusively, to undertake R&amp;D projects that meet their specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This biopharmaceutical research program, with an industrial scope, is specifically designed to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>strengthen business technological innovation capability in Quebec through public research;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>increase the number of research collaborations and partnerships between universities, hospitals, schools, public laboratories, and businesses working within the life sciences ecosystem in Quebec;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>enable technological maturation and industrial value creation to bring about economic benefits for project stakeholders and for Quebec;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>contribute to the development of knowledge, know-how, and new technologies developed in public institutions, as well as their transfer to industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"eligibility-criteria\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Eligibility criteria<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p><strong><strong>Candidates eligible to receive funding:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All researchers working in a public research institution in Quebec (University and hospital affiliates, research institutes, College Technology Transfer Center [CCTT], public research centres) who are working closely with at least one eligible business in Quebec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Eligible projects:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>R&amp;D projects with an industrial scope that are applicable to life sciences, including clinical trials, undertaken in partnership with one or several eligible businesses;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The technology maturation level (TRL) should be between 1 and 6 \u2013 see the <a href=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.-SynergiQc-TRL-Extended-definition-table-NEW2024.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRL Guide here<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socio-economic benefits must be generated for Quebec and private partners participating in the project;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students (all levels, including post-doctorate) must take part in the project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"funding\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Funding<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p><strong>Duration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maximum 3 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Budget<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maximum budget: $1.25 M*\/year ($3.75 M over 3 years) for projects involving at least one eligible SME in Quebec; $2.5 M*\/year ($7.5 M* over 3 years) for projects involving just one or several eligible large businesses in Quebec<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Including management fees and indirect research fees associated with the project<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Financial support<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><strong><em>Project involving at least one eligible small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Quebec<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial support from CQDM may represent up to a <strong><u>maximum of 40% of the project\u2019s eligible expenses<\/u><\/strong> (or up to $1.5 M over 3 years), subject to the following eligibility criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To ensure eligibility, an SME must:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide a significant contribution to the project;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a place of business in Quebec, be legally incorporated under current federal or Quebecois laws and be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct R&amp;D or production activities in Quebec;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have 249 employees or less.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least <strong><em>one<\/em><\/strong> partner business (including the eligible SME) must contribute to funding the research project, in cash, for a minimum of 20% of eligible expenses. Contributions in-kind are not eligible in the matching calculation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One or several large businesses can also take part and contribute to the project without affecting funding rules, as long as the eligible SME makes a significant contribution to the project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to 40% of the funding required may come from other sources, including Canadian and International businesses, foundations, or non-MEIE governmental contributions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CQDM\u2019s total contribution (direct + indirect costs + management fees) cannot exceed $500,000 per year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Projects involving an eligible large enterprise (LE) in Quebec (without the participation of an eligible SME):<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial support from CQDM may represent up to a <strong><u>maximum of 20% of the project\u2019s eligible expenses<\/u><\/strong> (or up to $1.5 M over 3 years), subject to the following eligibility criteria;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To be eligible, a LE must:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide a significant contribution to the project;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a place of business in Quebec, be legally incorporated under current federal or Quebecois laws and be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct R&amp;D or production activities in Quebec;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have 250 employees or more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least <strong><em>one<\/em><\/strong> partner LE must contribute to funding the research project for a minimum of 40% of eligible expenses. In-kind contributions may account for up to 50% of the industrial partners\u2019 contribution;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to 40% of the funding required may come from other sources, including Canadian and International businesses, foundations, or non-MEIE governmental contributions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CQDM\u2019s total contribution (direct + indirect costs + management fees) cannot exceed $500,000 per year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Table 1. Summary of potential funding structures<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td><strong><strong>Collaborative project with an SME<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td><strong><strong>Collaborative projects with only large enterprises<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><strong>Required business partners<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>At least one eligible SME in Quebec<\/td><td>At least one eligible large enterprise in Quebec<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><strong>Maximum budget<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>$3.75 M<\/td><td>$7.5 M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><strong>Maximum contribution from CQDM<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>40% of eligible expenses\/$1.5 M over 3 years<\/td><td>20% of eligible expenses\/$1.5 M over 3 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><strong>Contribution from partner businesses<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>20-60% of eligible expenses, in cash<\/td><td>40-80% of eligible expenses. Contributions in-kind accounting for up to 50% of the business partners\u2019 contribution are eligible<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><strong>Other counterpart funding<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>Up to 40%. Eligible sources include Canadian and international companies, foundations and non-MEIE governmental contributions.<\/td><td>Up to 40%. Eligible sources include Canadian and international companies, foundations and non-MEIE governmental contributions.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*The financial structure also includes <em>indirect cost of research (ICR):<\/em> a fixed rate of 27% of ICR will be applied to the contribution made by the ministry of Economy, Science, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) for eligible expenses (<em>salaries, scholarships, materials, equipment, and travel)<\/em>. ICRs are excluded from the calculation of participant contribution ratios detailed in Table 1.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"eligible-expenses\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Eligible expenses<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p><strong>Eligible expenses incurred by Quebec research institutions include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fellowships, wages and fringe benefits for research personnel assigned to the project (technicians, research assistants and associates, postdoctoral fellows, and students).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laboratory equipment, consumables and supplies, as well as animal housing and platform fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Travel expenses (travel related to the project, collaborations, conferences) and knowledge dissemination costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intellectual property costs (patent applications, patent maintenance fees for the duration of the project).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rental or purchase of small equipment of a maximum value of $25,000 and necessary for the realization of the project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some subcontracting expenses to Quebec companies that are not partners in the project can be authorized when the activity is essential to the project and cannot be performed by the research institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Non-eligible costs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In-kind expenses by partner companies are eligible only in the case of projects involving only large Quebec companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lease (or purchase) of facilities and purchase of equipment valued over $25,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salary of the principal investigator (PI) and co-investigators from universities and their affiliated research centers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"application-process\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Application process<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p><strong>Application process of the Quebec Funding Program for Biopharmaceutical Research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Call for proposals are open every three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note that you must notify us no later than&nbsp;<strong><u>7 days prior to the deadline<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;of your intention to submit a proposal in order to allow for proper evaluation of the projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Application process:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact Mathieu Paquette, Director \u2013 Business Development, to validate the eligibility of your project and obtain the application form and the SynergiQc budget template at the following address:&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"mailto:mpaquette@cqdm.org\">mpaquette@cqdm.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit a half-page non-confidential scientific summary (including the project title, the PI\u2019s name and affiliations, the project\u2019s total budget, the private partners involved as well as the amounts of their respective contribution) to the following address no later than 1 week before the application deadline:&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"mailto:appliquez-apply@cqdm.org\">appliquez-apply@cqdm.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Obtain letters of support from corporate partners and include them as an appendix to the application<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send the completed application to appliquez-apply@cqdm.org<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"evaluation-criteria\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Evaluation criteria<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quality of research, relevance of methodology, feasibility, appropriateness of resources available and expenditure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commercialization plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Differentiation, competitiveness, and added value of the proposed technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Benefits for the private partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socio-economical benefits for the province of Quebec, alignment between project and general industry needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"evaluation-process\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Evaluation process<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<p>The key evaluation steps are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An independent scientific evaluation based on the evaluation criteria listed above;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A review of non-scientific aspects of the project, including the level of commitment of the companies, the added value of the collaboration and the specific risks inherent to the project;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The overall evaluation of the project by CQDM\u2019s scientific advisory board, which is responsible for making funding recommendations;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approval of the project by CQDM\u2019s Board of Directors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approval of funding by the Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019\u00c9conomie, de l\u2019Innovation et de l\u2019\u00c9nergie (MEIE)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordion-item accordion ac\" id=\"research-agreement-and-intellectual-property-policy\"><div class=\"accordion__accordion\"><button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\"><h2 class=\"accordion__header__title\">Research agreement and intellectual property policy<\/h2><span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\"><span class=\"plus\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Research institutions that will be awarded a research grant from CQDM as well as industrial partners must commit to sign a research agreement within 3 months following the receipt of CQDM\u2019s approval letter;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CQDM will provide the template of the research agreement which will define very precisely the milestones to be reached, the timeline (Gantt chart) and the deliverables at the end of the project;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An intellectual property agreement in which CQDM is not involved will also have to be signed by all the research institutions and industrial partners associated with the project and then attached to the research agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-deep-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-b6f2895132f58d62dd07c76105db20df\">For any questions regarding the eligibility of your project, please contact Mathieu Paquette, Director of Business Development, at the following address:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:mpaquette@cqdm.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mpaquette@cqdm.org.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3659,"template":"","class_list":["post-425","program","type-program","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program\/425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}