About AIM
The AI-driven Medicines (AIM) program aims to drive transformative research that leverages computational or digital-based methods and tools to address critical, real-world challenges in the discovery and development of accessible and affordable medicines. This initiative focuses on supporting the development of innovative methodologies and tools to accelerate the drug discovery and development pipeline, bridging the gap between advanced computational theory and practical therapeutic applications.
Scope of interest
We invite applications proposing computational-based approaches, devices, tools or digital health technologies to address critical challenges in areas of unmet medical or technological need, including, but not limited to:
- Discovery & Translational Science: Target/Lead identification, biomarker integration (multi-omics, imaging), surrogate endpoint validation, disease pathway elucidation, and disease diagnosis.
- Manufacturing & Formulation: Predicting high-yield/green manufacturing processes, cost-optimized synthesis, and developing field-stable formulations.
- Clinical Development & Trial Optimization: Patient recruitment/stratification, adaptive trial design, virtual cohorts (Digital Twins, Synthetic Control Arms), and remote monitoring (wearables, RWD analysis).
Eligibility and Prioritization
To be considered, applicants must:
- Propose computational-based approaches, devices, tools or digital health technologies
- Conduct research at Technology Readiness Levels 3-7
- Provide proof of matching funds (see “Funding Structure” section below for details)
- Include at least one Canadian SME
- Clearly demonstrate how the project will directly advance Conscience’s mission in line with our Guiding Principles and Open Science Policy
Preference will be given to proposals that:
- Capitalize on open science strategies in line with our Guiding Principles
- Advance Global Health by targeting underserved disease areas
- Ensure Equitable Access by prioritizing the affordability and accessibility of resulting products or services.
- Demonstrate a credible pathway to measurable health or technological impact within 12 months.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
- Scientific Innovation & Technical Merit: Novelty of computational or digital-based methods and tools or enabling approaches, alignment with the problem, and clarity of technical benchmarks and performance metrics.
- Data Strategy & Feasibility: Quality of and access to existing datasets (adhering to FAIR principles), and readiness to meet tangible health or technical goals within 12 months.
- Pathway to Impact & Accessibility: Magnitude of medical need, potential to improve the affordability or accessibility of treatments or standard of care, global health focus, and/or scalability or adoptability of the solution.
- Responsible AI & Data Governance: Ethical frameworks, adherence to established standards for data privacy, transparency, and the mitigation of algorithmic bias and commitment to open science.
- Budget, Team & Matching Funds: Multidisciplinary expertise, financial compliance, and alignment between the proposed budget and the project’s complexity.
Funding Structure
The AIM program provides funding for 1 year. Funding is milestone-driven and reimbursed based. Conscience will fund up to 33% of the eligible costs for Canadian researchers, academic institutions, and large enterprises, and up to 50% of the eligible costs for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The maximum funding per project is 1M CAD$, though additional funding may be considered if the proposed scope and technical complexity warrant a higher budget.
How to Apply
The application process consists of two key phases: a Letter of Intent (LOI) application, followed by an invitation for selected applicants to submit a full proposal. We accept proposals on a rolling basis, applications will be evaluated individually, and grants will be awarded until no more funding is available. Both the LOI and Proposal applications must be submitted via our online grants management portal, accessible via the link below.
