GAPP represents one of the largest commercialization funding opportunities in Canadian history.
Saskatoon, SK: Winnipeg, MB – June 26, 2025: Genome Prairie, in collaboration with Genome Canada, today announced the launch of a $90 million Genome Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). This initiative will provide funding support to for-profit enterprises who are seeking to develop an idea or existing research for commercial application.
The GAPP initiative and its funding support will be implemented over four cycles, comprising two streams. The timing of the cycle and the details of each stream will be announced at a later date.
GAPP will aim to increase Canadian investment in private-sector innovation originating from past and current genomics-based research. The GAPP will also stimulate innovation through cooperative research and development between researchers and for-profit enterprises while helping to reduce the risk associated with the complexities of bringing technologies to market. All successfully funded projects must be a partnership between the for-profit receptor and the researcher(s).
Organizations interested in an application for project funding must submit a letter of interest no later than Wednesday, July 23, 2025. In addition to the national round of commercialization funding, Genome Prairie will announce in the coming weeks additional regional funding opportunities for qualified for-profit organizations based in either Manitoba or Saskatchewan.
Full details about the GAPP funding application process, as well as important application deadlines, will be provided by Genome Prairie in the coming days via the Genome Prairie website genomeprairie.ca
QUOTES
“We are delighted to join our federal funding partner, Genome Canada, in this milestone announcement. Over the past few decades, significant public and private investments have been made in genomics, yielding important advances and discoveries. Today’s announcement of GAPP will result in even greater prosperity and economic benefits for all Canadians, including within the Prairie region.”
– Mike Cey, Genome Prairie President and CEO
“Over the past quarter century, the prairie region has made important contributions in advancing the science of genomics. These advances have already advanced agriculture, human and animal health, and the environment, among other sectors. The GAPP initiative will accelerate future innovation by creating conditions that help our partners within industry to grow and prosper, creating jobs and spurring even more research and economic activity.”
– Dr. Lester Young, Genome Prairie Chief Scientific Officer
QUICK FACTS
- More details about GAPP and its application deadlines can be found at the Genome Prairie Funding Opportunities page: genomeprairie.ca/funding
- The GAPP lead delivery partner is Genome Canada, an independent, not-for-profit Ottawa-based organization established in 2000. Since its inception, Genome Canada has invested hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide, as well as to coordinate genomics research, innovation, data and talent to generate solutions to today’s biggest challenges.
- Genome Prairie is a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba-based non-profit. Established in 2000, Genome Prairie has supported over $400 million in genomics-based research activities related to agriculture, the environment, and human and animal health.
- Genome Prairie represents one of six independent regional Genome Centres in Canada. This federated model optimizes investments in genomics research and innovation by aligning regional strengths and needs with national priorities—and by mobilizing industry-academic partnerships.
- Genome Prairie has a strong record of success in bringing investment dollars to its region. In recent years, Genome Prairie was awarded lead and co-lead for five of nine large-scale genomics projects totaling over $27 million via the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems (CSAFS) initiative.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tony Bassett
Director of Communications
Genome Prairie
text/voice: 306.881.0255
email: tbassett@genomeprairie.ca
