Hey all! I’m thrilled to share some funding opportunities from Conscience, a non-profit supporting the development of open therapies and enabling technologies in Canada.
The main news is their new Open Hardware for Human Health (OH3) call, which supports open medical devices, diagnostics, and research tools directly connected to developing therapies or diagnostics.
They are offering up to $1 million per project for projects lasting up to two years. Funding can support prototyping, validation, documentation, regulatory preparation, certification, manufacturing, and other necessary steps to get open hardware into use.
Letters of intent are due 31 December 2026. Early applications are encouraged!
Here are some requirements that might be helpful to know:
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Projects must be at least at the technology concept stage and have a credible plan for commercialization.
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Funded work must take place in Canada and involve a Canadian small or medium enterprise (SME), either as a partner or service provider. This can include a nonprofit, charity, or foundation with fewer than 500 employees.
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International applicants are welcome, but a Canadian entity must receive the funding.
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Funding reimburses a portion of eligible costs, up to 50%, depending on the funding stream and partners involved. Matching funds are required.
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Conscience’s Open Science Policy applies, with priority given to projects whose hardware, software, and firmware are all open.
Read the full call and apply here. If you have a potential project but no Canadian partner or matching funds, Conscience encourages you to contact them before submitting: dylan.roskams-edris@conscience.ca.
Two other ongoing opportunities
Conscience also has two programs that may be relevant to GOSH projects:
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AI-driven Medicines (AIM): Despite the name, this program extends beyond AI to digital technologies for human health, including relevant open hardware. Projects require a Canadian SME partner.
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Open Science Advisory Services (OSAS): Helps cover the cost of external expertise to advance open science projects. Canadian academic projects can apply; the funded services must be provided by a Canadian SME.