The Life Sciences Fellowship (Discontinued)

Level up your digital health or life sciences venture with funding, R&D infrastructure and professional development support.

This program has been discontinued

Start date

Life Sciences Fellowships are discontinued at this time.

Grants/Funding

up to $200,000

Duration

up to 2 years

Time commitment

Full time

Location

Alberta

About the program

Thanks for your interest—Life Sciences Fellowships are currently discontinued.

Do you have a technology-driven solution to a compelling and unmet need in digital health or life sciences? If you need a boost to launch your solution to market, this fellowship may be for you.

Supported by Alberta Innovates; Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development; Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Prairies Economic Development Canada, the Life Sciences Fellowship program takes early-stage startups with technology-driven solutions to important problems and adds funding, technology development resources, professional development training and expert support.

The funding is a game-changer, but the program is so much more than that: funding will keep you going, but the support system will help you grow. Here are the key offerings:

  • Up to $200,000 in grant funding 
  • Including salary support for one founder 
  • Individualized expert support 
  • Targeted cohort-based professional development training and community events 
  • Paid membership to the Life Sciences Innovation Hub 

Eligibility

Founder Eligibility

  • The founder must be legally able to work in Canada
  • The founder is committed, as a full-time founding executive of the Startup and owns at least 25% or a simple majority (whichever is greater) of the shares outstanding in the venture
  • The founder has advanced knowledge and deep technical expertise in a life science-related field and is looking to build entrepreneurial skills by driving the business development of the startup

Startup Eligibility

  • The startup aims to deliver a technology-driven product or service to solve an unmet need in digital health or life sciences
  • The startup has a tangible and timely plan to bring a commercially viable product or service to market
  • The startup recently incorporated in Alberta or nationally
  • Startups do not need to be affiliated with the University of Calgary, but the founder must reside in Calgary during the fellowship and maintain a company presence at the Life Sciences Innovation Hub
A group discussion

Program Expectations

  • With guidance from Innovate Calgary coaches and expert advisors, companies work to strategize and refine company objectives; maximize and grow precious resources of time, money and expertise; develop and execute plans to raise further capital and expand their intellectual property assets to grow and scale their business.
  • Life sciences fellowship companies are accountable to milestones set in collaboration with their coaches. A full-time commitment to startup activities is required to keep pace with program expectations and start-up milestones.

Cohort 5 Graduates

Cohort 4 Graduates

Have questions about the program?

Contact Us