Funding Opportunity to Further Canada’s Genomic Innovation Capacity
April 13, 2026 – Winnipeg Manitoba, Saskatoon Saskatchewan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Genome Prairie, together with Genome Canada today announced the latest funding round of the Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). As a major component of the Canadian Genomics Strategy, they will provide $90M over four cycles to fund research and development projects that foster partnerships between for-profit enterprises and public institutions.
Successful funding applicants can receive up to $2 million in support.
The GAPP funding opportunity drives innovation and economic growth by ensuring leading-edge genomics and biotechnology research translates into practical, market-ready applications. By enhancing knowledge transfer from public institutions to for-profit enterprises, GAPP aims to promote the commercialization of research and create a more dynamic and inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Successful project applications will unite academic researchers and companies to maximize the impact of public investment in innovation, stimulate private-sector investment in genomics and biotechnology research in Canada, and drive co-investment in market-focused research and development (R&D).
Genome Prairie is now accepting applications. For-profit enterprises located in Saskatchewan or Manitoba seeking commercialization support should contact Genome Prairie today to get started. Academic researchers looking to develop their research with established industry partners should also contact Genome Prairie.
To learn more about this opportunity and application deadlines, visit the Genome Prairie Funding Opportunities page at genomeprairie.ca/funding.
QUOTES:
This $90M commitment to commercializing genomic-based innovations shows the dedication of Genome Prairie and Genome Canada, to bring research from the laboratory into national and international markets. These investments will generate even greater innovations, expand Canadian-based enterprises, and create significant employment growth in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and beyond.
– Mike Cey, President and CEO, Genome Prairie
FAST FACTS:
- The General Applications Partnership Program will boost Canadian private-sector investment in the commercialization of innovations arising from public R&D funding in genomics and biotechnology. It will also stimulate technological innovation through cooperative R&D between partners.
- The GAPP funding round offers two time-dependant application pathways. The first pathway provides Genome Prairie supported process, which offers applicants with hand-on guidance through the application process. The deadline for providing a letter of interest (LOI) is 4:30 p.m. MST, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with a full proposal deadline of 4:30 p.m. MST Thursday, May 14, 2026. The other pathway is a self-directed application with limited supports from Genome Prairie. The deadline for this pathway is 4:30 p.m., Friday May 22, 2026, and the full proposal deadline is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18, 2026.
- Genome Prairie is a Saskatchewan and Manitoba-based non-profit organization. Established in 2000, Genome Prairie has supported approximately $450 million in genomics-based research across 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS NEWS RELEASE PLEASE CONTACT
Tony Bassett
Director of Communications
Genome Prairie
text/voice: 306.881.0255
email: tbassett@genomeprairie.ca
