We’re pleased to announce that applications are now open for the second round of our Developing Medicines through Open Science (DMOS) program and that the program has expanded to support clinical-stage projects alongside preclinical research. This expansion reflects our commitment to moving promising therapies closer to patients while continuing to apply open science principles that support accessibility and affordability.
We’ve already seen DMOS projects catalyze major progress from advancing rare disease therapies toward the clinic to unlocking major international funding. We’re looking forward to supporting the next wave of collaborative, open science-driven drug development.
Read the full press release below.
For more information, contact:
Estrid Jakobsen at [email protected]
Julia Smith at [email protected]
Conscience Announces Second Call for Applications to Developing Medicines through Open Science Program
Innovative program expands to fund both preclinical and clinical drug development projects
Funding will go towards advancing open science across the drug development pipeline to bring treatments to patients faster
Toronto, ON, Canada, February 10, 2026 — Conscience, a Canadian non-profit dedicated to enabling drug discovery through collaboration for the advancement of accessible treatments, is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for the second round of its Developing Medicines through Open Science (DMOS) program. The program’s next round marks an important shift as it is expanding to fund clinical projects in addition to preclinical projects.
The DMOS program aims to foster collaborations that will lead to the development of drug candidates in areas of unmet medical need, establish proof of concept (POC) for an open science path to drug development, and further translate innovations into affordable medicines, while generating economic activity, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada. The total funding available for the program is $15M CAD. Funds will be awarded to projects that focus on life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases that have demonstrated strong target validation and tractability to enable clinical POC as well as projects that undertake either IND-enabling preclinical studies or human safety and efficacy studies.
“We are excited to be kicking off the second round of applications for the DMOS program. Expanding the program to support both clinical and preclinical projects underscores our commitment to delivering meaningful impact for patients,” says Anne Fortier, Vice President of Drug Discovery and Development at Conscience. “Collaboration is integral to driving advancements in drug discovery, especially in rare and neglected disease areas, and applying an open science framework to clinical-stage projects will give promising therapies the best possible chance of success in terms of accessibility and affordability.”
The DMOS funding period is two years, with the possibility of an extension. The maximum amount of funding per project that can be awarded is dependent on the project stage. Clinical stage projects can receive up to $2M CAD in funding.
To be eligible for DMOS funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Propose a preclinical or clinical research plan in an area of unmet medical need with a commitment to developing accessible medicines
- Conduct research at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 2-7
- Include at least one Canadian SME
- Provide proof of matching funds to cover the remaining cost, as Conscience will fund a maximum of 33% to researchers, academic institutions, and large enterprises, and 50% to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Commit to Conscience’s Open Science Policy
Interested applicants can learn more about the program and application process here. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.
Three recipients of the inaugural round of the DMOS program were announced in February 2025. Their projects are focussed on identifying treatments and cures for three rare diseases: a genetic neuromuscular disorder, a pediatric brain cancer (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), and a liver disease. In December 2025, Agora Open Science Trust announced the nomination of M4K2009 as the lead development candidate for its M4K Pharma program, which applies open science to drive the development of an affordable treatment for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. The selection of M4K2009 represents a significant scientific and organizational milestone, and demonstrates the benefit of collaborative programs like DMOS that enable the development of more accessible and affordable treatments.
Another collaborative translational research project on Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), led by Dr. Sonya MacParland at University Health Network, was selected for funding by the European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA) in 2025. This achievement illustrates how DMOS funding can catalyze further investment, amplify impact, and position Canadian researchers at the forefront of global efforts to address rare diseases.
Additional Quotes
“Open science has the power to accelerate the discovery and development of new, accessible treatments for Canadians. Through initiatives like the DMOS program, the Government of Canada is supporting innovative collaborations that bring together researchers, businesses, and communities to tackle unmet medical needs and drive economic growth.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
About Conscience
Conscience is a non-profit focused on enabling drug discovery and development in areas where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement towards accessible treatments. It does so by encouraging and funding the open sharing of knowledge and tools, the use and improvement of artificial intelligence, and the development of policies that break down barriers of traditional drug development. Powered by a network that includes academics, industry, technologists, policy experts, and public support, Conscience seeks to drive innovation by turning drug discovery and development into a team sport. Its open science model brings unique value in areas where market solutions are limited, offering alternatives to traditional intellectual property models to make new accessible medicines so no one is left behind. Through key initiatives, such as its DMOS (Developing Medicines through Open Science) program and CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computation Hit-finding Experiments) Challenges, Conscience is accelerating the path to treatments for those who need them most. For more information, visit conscience.ca.
About the DMOS Program
The Developing Medicines through Open Science (DMOS) program supports drug development in areas of unmet medical needs where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement towards accessible treatments. Using an open science model, the program aims to foster collaborations that undertake preclinical and clinical work to develop drug candidates in areas of unmet medical need, establish proof of concept (POC) for an open science path to drug development and further translate innovations into affordable medicines, generate economic activity, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada. With total funding of $15M CAD, this program supports projects focused on life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases that have demonstrated strong target validation and tractability to enable clinical proof of concept and undertake either IND-enabling preclinical studies or human safety and efficacy studies. To learn more about the program, including eligibility criteria, please visit the website.
