The aim of the Neuro Commercialization Grants (NCGs) is to accelerate the maturation and commercialization of neuroscience-related technology derived from research conducted at McGill. More specifically, this program is focused on innovations that are related to HBHL's four Research Themes. Applicants to the NCGs program will be supported throughout the application process and beyond by the NeuroSphere team — a group of dedicated staff with business development expertise working to support McGill neuroscience researchers to move their innovations towards commercialization.
NCGs support McGill researchers to:
- Establish a proof of concept
- Advance technology development
- Position technology to attract industry partnerships and/or leverage other financial resources from specialized consortia, incubator programs, private investors, etc.
- Support technology development and maturation for out-licensing or start-up creation
The NCGs have two levels of funding, which are consecutive:
- Ignite Grant: The objective of the Ignite Grant is to support small-scale validation/proof-of-principle efforts in the development of a technology. Full program details.
- Accelerate Grant: The objective of the Accelerate Grant is to support research aimed at improving the commercial potential of a technology and to position it for commercial development. Full program details.
- Note: To be eligible for the Accelerate grant phase, applicants must have successfully completed the Ignite phase.
Applicants must be McGill researchers who are eligible to hold Tri-Agency research funding. Students and postdoctoral researchers are not eligible but our NeuroSphere team would be pleased to discuss any idea you may have for a start-up.
The types of projects eligible for the Neuro Commercialization Grants may include but are not limited to:
- Technology optimization/technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation
- Additional development work to strengthen technology
- Preclinical development
- Software development
- Prototype design and development
- Evaluation of feasibility, utility and/or validity of technological applications for specific target groups
- Component integration (such as sensors or mobile applications, data processing tools, and user interphase)
