EDI

Current Funding Opportunities

Accepting Applications

BioCanRx Open Call for Proposals

BioCanRx is excited to announce the launch of our next Open Call for Proposals. This $6 million investment will be aimed at advancing promising cancer immunotherapies and enabling technologies toward the clinic, and supporting the adoption of these therapies into the Canadian healthcare system. 

Read the submission guidelines here: English | French

Informational Webinar

Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about this funding competition. 

Date & Time: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

This call for research proposals will seek applications to the following funding programs:

Enabling Studies Program

Up to $750,000, up to 3 years

50% matching required 

  • BioCanRx will fund up to 50% of total eligible project costs, to a maximum contribution of $750,000. The remaining 50% must be provided as matching funds from eligible partners. 
  • Prepare and position novel cancer immunotherapies and enabling technologies for clinical testing in patients, including GMP manufacturing and process development. Enabling Studies projects should result in either a complete Health Canada CTA submission packages or Quality (Chemistry and Manufacturing) packages. 

Clinical Trials Program 

Up to $1,000,000, up to 3 years

60% matching required 

  • BioCanRx will fund up to $1,000,000, representing up to 40% of total eligible project costs. The remaining 60% of project costs must be provided as matching funds from an eligible partner.
  • Investigator-led Phase I/II clinical trials of novel cancer immunotherapies that have been substantially developed in Canada.  

Clinical, Social and Economic Impact (CSEI) Program 

Up to $215,000, up to 3 years 

  • Identify and address the facilitators and barriers to the adoption and integration of these therapies into Canadian clinical practice and healthcare systems. 

Core Facilities Program 

Up to $120,000 per year, up to 2 years 

  • Supports manufacturing or translational research services that support the advancement and production of cancer immunotherapies.

Linked Applications Favoured

CSEI applications may be submitted as standalone projects; however, applications that are linked with Enabling or Clinical Trials proposals currently funded or applying to this competition will be assessed more favourably.  

Core Facilities will be evaluated on demonstrated evidence of planned collaborations and scope of work across multiple currently funded or proposed Enabling Studies or Clinical Trial projects 

Eligibility

Funded research team members (i.e., principal investigators) must be either:

a) based at a Canadian academic or research institution and must be eligible to receive Tri-Agency funding

b) Indigenous organization or government. 

Key Components by Stage

Component

Required at LOI Stage

Required for Full Application

Project Description 1-page scientific summary Detailed full proposal
Project Team Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators, Collaborators, Industry Partners
Budget Budget requested per principal investigator Detailed budget
Partnerships Actual/Anticipate/Desired Actual partners with Letters of Support
Partnership with Persons with Lived and/or Living Experience (PWLE)* No Yes
Milestones & Deliverables No Yes
Product/Platform Development Trajectory No Yes
Training & Mentorship No Yes
Knowledge Sharing, Tech Transfer & Networking No Yes
Inclusive Research Design (EDI) No Yes
Intellectual Property No Yes
Research Security No

Yes – including signed STRA forms

*Applicants are encouraged to contact BioCanRx early in the application process if they need support engaging with patient partners.

Key Dates

  • Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply: Prior to LOI submission  
  • Letter of Intent (LOI) submission deadline: July 29, 2026 
  • Notification of LOI results and invitation to Full Application: Early October, 2026 
  • Full application submission deadline: December 4, 2026 
  • Notice of Award: Early March, 2027 
  • Funding award start date: March 31, 2027 

 

The Notice of Intent is for administrative purposes only. Please send a brief email with the Subject: Open Call – Notice of Intent [lead investigator surname] noting your intention to apply to applications@biocanrx.com

If you have questions please contact Megan Mahoney, Director of Scientific Affairs and Training Programs at memahoney@biocanrx.com.

Click “Apply Now” to access BioCanRx’s grant management platform, where you can complete and submit your LOI. Further instructions can be found on the platform.