Frequently Asked Questions – Open Science Advisory Services (OSAS)

The Open Science Advisory Services (OSAS) program provides funding to organizations and companies seeking third party advisory services (e.g., consultants, contractors, and advisors) to assist them in developing a product or service. The funding is available to projects across the life sciences that use open science in their product development.

Yes we do. If you have questions about our open science approach or how it applies to the programs we offer, please reach out to any of our program personnel and we will connect you with the right person to answer your questions. You can contact Dylan Roskams-Edris ([email protected]) with questions about OSAS.

OSAS funding is available for any project in life sciences aimed at developing a product or service where open sharing and collaboration are key for advancement. The product or service can be at any development phase (i.e., any TRL level) and the third-party service can be any service that will materially advance the project towards commercialization

Any project or collaboration containing at least one Canadian SME, non-profit, or public institution can apply for OSAS funding. Our funding agreements must be executed with a Canadian organization, though organizations from other countries can be collaborators.

Yes. We can help you find an appropriate service provider. Please reach out to the Advisory Services Lead ([email protected])  for support in finding a Canadian service provider.

The selection criteria for funding a project are:

• Are open sharing and collaboration crucial to advancing the product or service towards commercialization?
• Are current market solutions limited?
• How far along the development pipeline is the product or service? (priority given to more advanced products and services)
• Is the underlying scientific evidence for the product or service high quality?
• How likely is the requested service likely to materially advance the product or service towards commercialization?
• How qualified is the service provider to provide the requested service?
• How well does the project plan align with our Open Science Policy?

Assuming that an application meets the selection criteria (see above) the primary factors influencing the maximum funding amount and funding ratio are:

• How well does the project align with our Open Science Policy?
• Are open sharing and collaboration crucial to advancing the product or service towards commercialization?
• Are current market solutions limited?
• How far along the development pipeline is the product or service? (priority given to more advanced products and services)

OSAS funding can support a portion of costs and is provided on a reimbursement basis. The maximum portion of costs supported is usually 33%, but can be 50% if well justified based on our selection criteria (see above). The applicant will have to take on the costs of hiring the third-party services and the project-specific portion of those costs covered by OSAS will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis.

Please note that in addition Conscience will charge a 5% administrative fee (5% of the funds we send as reimbursement) and the entire funding amount will be subject to a 10% holdback until the project is completed. If you have any questions, our Advisory Services Team and Finance Team can help.

The current funding period is 2 years, with the possibility of extension.

There is no set maximum funding amount. The amount of funding, and the funding ratio, will be determined on a case by case basis based on priority selection criteria (see above).

You can apply to OSAS by submitting an Initial Application. This Initial Application will be used to determine whether the project is in scope and whether the applicant and proposed service provider are eligible. The form to submit an Initial Application can be found on the OSAS Program Page.

If the Initial Application is determined to be in scope and eligible, you will be invited to submit a full proposal. Instructions on how to submit a full proposal will be provided in the email informing you of your approval. That email will also include feedback on the Initial Application, including any required or recommended revisions to take into account in the Full Application.

If you have to share confidential information with your application please contact the Advisory Services Lead ([email protected]) before doing so. Conscience can then provide our Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA).