Genomics for National Security: Atlantic Canada’s Dual-Use Technology Funding Opportunity

1. Program Overview

The GAPP funds research and development projects focused on public-private innovation. GAPP projects involve partnerships between industry receptors and researchers, targeting market opportunities and real-world needs identified by industry. They improve knowledge transfer from public institutions to Canadian companies to commercialize cutting-edge research and support our innovation value chain in the dual-use space.

2. Program Objectives

• increase Canadian private-sector investment in the commercialization of innovation derived from public R&D funding in genomics and biotechnology (note that funds must flow to the research institution lead and not directly to the company lead)
• stimulate technological innovation and implementation through cooperative R&D between research and receptor organizations
• 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-seeking communities

3. Available Funding and Term

The total funding available for this competition is $900,000.  Genome Atlantic intends to fund 2-3 projects with the envelope. 

• Applicants can request up to one-third of the project budget from Genome Atlantic.
• Genome Atlantic’s total contribution to an approved project must be at least $150,000. Its maximum contribution is $500,000.
• Remaining project funding must be secured from other eligible sources, with a minimum co-funding ratio of 1:2 (Genome Atlantic to all co-funding sources) and private-sector partner contributions that are equal to or greater than Genome Atlantic’s contribution. Genome Canada’s funding guidelines can be found here.

The project term is a maximum of two years. No extensions will be available.

4. Genome Atlantic GAPP – Strategic Funding Opportunity

Geopolitical instability, rapid technological disruption, and renewed federal investments in defence industrial capacity are converging to create a rare window in which governments are actively seeking innovations that strengthen both national security and economic competitiveness. Through dual-use technologies, innovators are able to capitalize on emerging procurement, commercialization, and allied partnership opportunities while meeting urgent defence and civilian needs simultaneously. Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy was released earlier this year as a roadmap to build our economy, strengthen our defence, and ensure Canadian sovereign control.

Through this strategic, Atlantic-focused GAPP opportunity, Genome Atlantic aims to catalyze and facilitate research initiatives that enable development and adoption of genomics-based approaches for dual-use technologies that address regional and national priorities.

5. Priority Areas 

Aligned with federal defence priorities, four dual-use technology domains are briefly described below as examples (non-exhaustive) of ways that genomics research might contribute to advancing the technology. GAPP proposals are required to clearly demonstrate how the proposed genomics-based research can address a critical gap for an industry partner and how the outputs can be used for civilian and defence purposes.

1) Human resilience, biotech and medical countermeasures

Canada’s defence policy explicitly identifies synthetic biology and biotechnology/human enhancement as frontier dual-use technologies affecting national security. Genomics underpins pathogen detection and characterization, biosurveillance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring, and rapid medical countermeasure development (diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis).

In Atlantic Canada, there is a unique opportunity to leverage the scale-up continuum for biomanufacturing via the Verschuren Centre and Neptune BioInnovation Centre that can support dual-use bio-process development, validation, and early commercial readiness.

Examples of high-value dual-use projects:

• • Field-deployable genomic diagnostics (portable sequencing and assay panels) for remote operations, search and rescue, outbreaks, and critical infrastructure events
  • Genomic AMR early warning for military/community health settings and long-term care (dual-use public health benefit)

2) Arctic and northern domain awareness and coastal monitoring

eDNA and metagenomics approaches offer non-invasive detection of organisms from water, soil, and air samples. This can be useful for coastal situational awareness, ecosystem change detection, invasive species monitoring, and potentially biosecurity screening at ports and remote nodes (i.e., dual-use for fisheries, conservation, and security).

Atlantic Canada has demonstrated eDNA expertise with deployments in regional ecosystems and a strong ocean research community, making this region an ideal location for operational testing.

Examples of high-value dual-use projects:

• • Rapid eDNA coastal monitoring to support naval base/harbour awareness, invasive species detection, and environmental incident response.
  • Autonomous eDNA sampling and analytics integrated into buoys or underwater vehicles for persistent monitoring, which could support both aquaculture activities and monitoring of key maritime infrastructure.

3) Dual-use, climate-resilient northern infrastructure & Industrial readiness and sustainment

Infrastructure performance in cold, wet, saline environments is heavily influenced by microbial corrosion, biodeterioration, and biofouling. Further, the Defence Industrial Strategy explicitly targets improved fleet serviceability (readiness/sustainment), and many readiness degraders are biological (e.g., biofouling, microbial corrosion, fuel/water contamination, mould).

Metagenomics can identify the organisms and pathways driving damage, enabling predictive maintenance and improved readiness solutions, as well as bio-informed selection of coatings or materials. This research could have dual-use benefits for ports, bridges, vessels, offshore energy developments, and could leverage regional strengths in marine environments, industrial need, and bioprocessing capability.

Examples of high-value dual-use projects:

• • Genomics-enabled corrosion risk models for fleets and northern infrastructure, where microbial signatures are used to assign risk scores.

• • Genomic contamination detection kits for shipboard systems (e.g., fuel tanks, ballast water, potable water).
  • Biofouling fingerprinting to optimize cleaning schedules.

4) Advanced materials & Advanced manufacturing

Synthetic biology and functional genomics can be used to engineer microbes to produce high-performance biomaterials (specialty polymers, resins, binders, adhesives, coatings) that can be lower-toxicity and tailored for cold/marine use, offering dual-use across defence platforms and civilian manufacturing.

Examples of high-value dual-use projects:

• • Bio-based cold-cure resins or adhesives for field repair and shipyard work.

• • Bio-based anti-fouling and anti-corrosion coatings designed using functional genomics or synthetic biology, then validated at pilot scale (Verschuren/Neptune continuum).

5. Project Eligibility

Projects and receptors will need to adhere to the eligibility criteria set out in Genome Canada’s GAPP Funding Opportunity.

To be eligible for GAPP funding, projects must meet all the following criteria:

• The project focuses on an innovation need defined by a receptor.

• It is partnership between a receptor and researcher (and, optionally, additional partners), with active and necessary roles for all partners (refer to the Project partners section on the next page).

• The receptor acts as Project Leader and is a Canadian for-profit enterprise (FPE) as defined in Appendix A of Genome Canada’s GAPP Funding Opportunity.

• The researcher acts as Administrative Project Leader and is employed by an eligible institution (refer to GAPP Funding Opportunity).

• The project supports the invention, development or commercialization of a genomics-based or -enabled, biotechnological innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity.

• It will result in commercial and/or intellectual property (IP) outcomes that benefit the receptor.

• It has the potential to generate social and economic impacts and benefits (refer to the later section, Benefits to Canada and impact on receptor).

The GAPP is not intended to fund:

• Market research

• Commercial launches of already-developed technology

• Patent enforcement or litigation

• Projects, project components or service provision (e.g., routine analyses or certain types of clinical trials) that would normally be funded solely by the receptor

6. Eligible Costs and Co-funding 

Projects will need to adhere to Genome Canada’s Guidelines for Funding (see Section 4.1 on eligible costs).

Eligible co-funding sources: 

• Companies
• Venture capital or other investment funds
• An industry consortium
• Institutional funds, trust funds or foundations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Departments and agencies of provincial, territorial and municipal governments

Co-funding requirements:

Co-funding must be applied to eligible costs directly related to new or incremental activities that are integral to the Genome Canada approved project. Co-funding may be provided in cash and/or in-kind contributions.

In-kind contributions:

In-kind contributions are defined as cash-equivalent goods or services and may be considered as co-funding if:

• The value can be reasonably determined based on the acceptable valuation method and is supported by documentation from the supplier (see section 5.2.2 in Genome Canada’s Guidelines for Funding).
• The expenditure represents an item that would otherwise have to be acquired with cash. This excludes the cost of pre-existing facilities or equipment (i.e., budgets cannot include the opportunity cost of space or equipment)

7. Process & Timeline 

The funding opportunity is comprised of two steps.

• LOI: After the Letter of Intent (LOI) is submitted, Genome Atlantic and Vimy Forge will be screening the applications for eligibility and alignment with the funding opportunity. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
• Full proposal: The full proposal will be reviewed by a review committee with genomics experts, who will make the final decision on project funding.

Important Dates

June 2026:  Funding Program Launch

August 19, 2026:  Letter of Intent deadline

October 1, 2026: Full proposal deadline

Week of October 12: Review committee call

Week of October 19: Conditional Notification of Results (subject to due diligence, financial review)

November 2026: Submission via Proposal Central to GC

February, 2027: Flow of Funds

8. Evaluation

Genome Atlantic uses an independent review process to assess the scientific merit of proposals, their potential for impacts and benefits for Atlantic Canada, and to ensure that sound management and financial practices are implemented.  All reviewers engaged by Genome Atlantic sign confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements to ensure that information is kept in strict confidence and that reviewers are not biased by conflicting professional obligations or financial considerations.

Triage will occur at the LOI stage. The top teams will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Process

All LOI submissions will undergo a screen by Genome Atlantic to assess Project Eligibility and alignment based on the criteria listed in the funding opportunity, under Section 5 in the GAPP Funding Opportunity.   VF will provide feedback on proposals and their alignment with the regional defence ecosystem.

The full proposal will undergo a review by a small panel of diverse, independent reviewers (including VF) with expertise in research, invention, innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship and finance.

All full proposals will then be reviewed and discussed by the review committee. The independent reviews will be used, in part, to assess whether the applications meet the GAPP’s objectives.

9. Full Proposal and Pitch Review Criteria  

Recognizing that each innovation is a unique interaction of invention and market opportunity, the Genome Atlantic team and Committee members will consider the following five categories individually and in aggregate when assessing projects at both the full proposal and pitch stages.

a. Innovation and commercial plan 

• There is a clear and compelling value proposition for the innovation.

• Any claims of an unmet need or opportunity have been supported.

• The pathway to commercializing the innovation is clear, realistic and accounts for any likely adoption hurdles (legal, regulatory, social, economic, logistical, etc.).

• Sufficient consideration has been given to the target market potential of the innovation (quantitatively, if possible), alternatives and competitors (if any).

• There are no significant IP barriers to developing and commercializing the innovation, and there is a clear plan to protect newly generated IP.
• The plan for sharing data and resources within the project and externally is appropriate and complies with Genome Canada’s Data Release and Resource Sharing Plan.

b. Project plan 

• The project objectives and deliverables are clear, quantifiable and achievable within the proposed timeline.

• The project plan is sufficiently detailed and logical, with well-defined go/no-go milestones that recognize and mitigate technical risks.

• The plan contains a clear scientific rationale for the proposed approach, defines the innovation’s target performance, and outlines the desired outcomes, supported by previous work, data, literature or other credible references.

• The major tools and methods to be employed in the project are appropriate and reasonably well-established in the field.

• Equity, diversity and inclusion are reflected in the research design and practices and include participation by under-represented groups, as appropriate.

• The team has the technical expertise and ability to carry out the work proposed.

• The facilities, equipment and services to be employed in the project are appropriate for the proposed activities.

c. Realizable benefits to Atlantic Canada and the economy (within 3-5 years post-project)

• The potential (direct and indirect) benefits of the project to the receptor are quantifiable, significant and likely to be realized. Examples include revenue generated, jobs created, capacity built, funding leveraged, etc.

• The potential (direct and indirect) benefits of the project to the researcher and/or the broader, publicly funded Atlantic Canadian research and innovation ecosystem are quantifiable, significant and likely to be realized.

• The potential (direct and indirect) benefits of the project to Atlantic Canadian stakeholders and economy are quantifiable, significant and likely to be realized.

• IP generated will provide benefits to Atlantic Canada and contributes to the region’s economic, social and technological advancement.

• The steps and conditions required to realize the potential benefits of the innovation are well-defined and realistic.

d. Project leadership and management 

• The receptor has the capacity to lead the project and realize the value created by contributing resources, bringing significant commercial and technical knowledge to the project, providing technical leadership and support, and commercializing the resulting innovation.

• The receptor and researcher have a true partnership, with each having appropriate and necessary roles in the project, including involvement in project leadership, contribution of specific knowledge and resources, and execution of certain activities.

• The researcher, receptor and key personnel are well-qualified and experienced in the project field, based on their credentials, past projects, publications and other considerations.

• The composition of the team and recruiting strategies consider equity, diversity and inclusion whenever possible.

• Both the receptor and researcher continue to satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria.

e. Financial aspects 

• The proposed budget appears reasonable, given the anticipated level of effort, the expected deliverables, and the typical costs for the proposed expense categories and activities.

• The proposal provides sufficient assurance that expenditures from a funded project will be closely and critically monitored.

• The proposed co-funding plan is well-documented and feasible.

• The proposed co-funding is integrated with and directly supports the objectives of the project.

• It is expected that all co-funding will be secured when Genome Canada funds are released.

• The valuation of the in-kind contributions appears reasonable.

10. How to Apply 

Projects should be submitted through the GAPP Portal. 

Application forms are available on Genome Atlantic’s website or email request.