Genome Canada: 2026 National Genomic Applications Partnership Program (N-GAPP)

Eligibility

*This posting will be updated following the official launch of the program by Genome Canada in April 2026. Following program launch, competition materials will be made available in the Resources section. (see Additional Information section below)

Each project must be a well-defined collaboration between an industry partner and an academic researcher, with optional support from additional collaborators or co-investigators, and require all partners bring essential expertise and have clearly outlined responsibilities. Eligible projects must:

• Be led by a Canadian researcher in partnership with a Canadian for-profit enterprise (Receptor) and optionally additional partners, with an economic interest in developing an idea or research into a commercial application
• Focus on an innovation need defined by a Receptor
• Support the invention, development or commercialization of a genomics-based or -enabled, biotechnological innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity
• Result in commercial and/or intellectual property (IP) outcomes that benefit the Receptor
• Have the potential to generate measurable social and economic impacts and benefits
• Have a minimum project value of $900,000 and request $300,000 - $2 M in funding from Genome Canada
• Have a minimum 1:3 co-funding (i.e., funding from Genome Canada must be matched by funding from other sources so Genome Canada funding does not exceed 1/3 of project value)
• Have a project term up 2 years, starting January 1, 2027

Summary

Genomic Applications Partnership Programs (GAPP) support the Canadian Genomics Strategy, and funds research and development projects that support public-private innovation. The national Genomic Applications Partnership Program (N-GAPP) drives innovation and economic growth across Canada by ensuring that cutting-edge research in genomics and biotechnology is effectively translated into market-ready solutions to enhance the country’s competitive edge.

GAPP aims to support Canadian for-profit enterprises in transforming genomics-based research into commercial applications. It also aims to increase private-sector investment in commercialization of innovation derived from public R&D, drive technological implementation through collaboration between research, and de-risk development to attract additional funding. 

Objectives are to:

• Increase Canadian private-sector investment in the commercialization of innovation derived from public R&D funding in genomics and biotechnology.
• Stimulate technological innovation and implementation through co-operative R&D between research and receptors.
• Enable research investments that de-risk opportunities and secure follow-on funding from finance and industry.
• Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by individuals from equity-deserving communities.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

The application process comprises three stages: 

1. LOI Form
   • Concise overview of the project, including the industry challenge, genomics-based solution, deliverables, market opportunity, and anticipated benefits to Canada (details TBC)
2. Full proposal – on invitation only to projects that meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate strong commercial and socio-economic potential
   • Detailed plan covering technical feasibility, commercialization strategy, market validation, and team qualifications (details TBC)
3. Pitch – selected teams will pitch their project to Genome Canada, addressing reviewer feedback and answering questions to advance in the process

With program questions, contact Georgia Balsevich at Genome Alberta at gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca (cc Research Services at ipd@ucalgary.ca). (see Additional Information section below)

Institutional and agency milestones are listed below for the first two stages only; more details will be provided after Genome Canada launches the program, and to teams that progress in the competition.

Timeline

• Activity:       Submit final LOI to Research Services 

  • LOI template not yet available, see Additional Information section below
  • email to ipd@ucalgary.ca
  • RMS pre-award/LOI record will be required at the LOI stage

  Deadline:    By 9:00 am April 20, 2026

• Activity:       Submit final LOI to Genome Alberta 

  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

  Deadline:    By 11:59pm April 22, 2026

• Activity:       Invitation to full application from Genome Canada

  Date:            Early May 2026

• Activity:       Draft full application due to Genome Alberta 

  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

  Deadline:    By May 25, 2026 

• Activity:       Submit final application to Research Services 

  • email to ipd@ucalgary.ca
  • RMS pre-award/application record with approvals due

  Deadline:    By 9:00 am June 11, 2026

• Activity:       Submit final application, with signatures, to Genome Alberta

  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

  Deadline:    By 11:59pm June 18, 2026

Overhead

not applicable

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via  RMS in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Genome Canada has not yet officially launched the National GAPP 2026, and no competition forms or templates are available yet. Given the tight timeline to LOI submission, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Georgia Balsevich at Genome Alberta ASAP at gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca. 

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

2025 N-GAPP Program Guidelines (may be updated after Genome Canada 2026 N-GAPP program launch in April 2026)

LOI template will be made available after Genome Canada 2026 N-GAPP program launch in April 2026

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI