Request for Applications

The Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline (CTIP) Program was established to capitalize on Ontario’s expertise in cancer biology and drug discovery. Its aim is to create a pipeline of validated cancer targets and First-in-Class (FiC) or Best-in-Class (BiC), novel, selective lead molecules (small molecules or biologics) that will attract partnerships and/or investment for further preclinical and clinical development. To generate a sustainable pipeline, CTIP will support projects that aim to provide increasing evidence of target validation and disease association using data from knowledge bases, functional assays, and drug screening in relevant in vitro and in vivo models of the cancer type of interest.

CTIP funds projects in four stages of preclinical drug discovery and is currently inviting applications for the following three funding streams:

Early Validation (EV) projects:
Deliver robust translational evidence that a Target-of-Interest (TOI) is associated with a specific cancer type(s) based on data from knowledge bases and from studies demonstrating that perturbation of the TOI in relevant cell-based models produces anti-cancer effects sufficient to trigger a drug discovery campaign. At the end of the EV stage, a strategy and approach to interrogate the target must be available.  

Funding available: Up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

Early Accelerator (EA) projects
Deliver a validated primary assay to enable initial screening of molecules against a defined target. Preliminary evidence of linearity of results between the primary assay and supporting secondary assays under development is also required. At the end of the EA stage, teams must demonstrate the capability and capacity to scale up production of reagents, recombinant proteins, and/or cell systems needed to support the medium-high throughput screening campaigns of the Late Accelerator stage.

Funding available: Up to $150,000 for a maximum of one year.

Late Accelerator (LA) projects
Focus on screening, using validated primary, secondary, and orthogonal assays and deliver confirmed Hit¹ molecules against a defined target supported by evidence of disease association. A confirmed Hit molecule should possess features that support its potential to become a Lead² molecule.

Funding available: Up to $500,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

¹A minimal definition of a Hit is a molecule series with an understood Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) and selectivity profile in relevant in vitro models. 
²A minimal definition of a Lead is a molecule series with an understood SAR and selectivity profile in pharmacologically relevant in vivo models. 

OICR invites applications from investigators at Ontario academic centres, hospital research institutes, or other government research institutions. CTIP funding is only tenable in Ontario. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. 

Deadlines:

• Open for applications (via ReportNet):  Starting on April 7, 2025
• RFA information session*: April 23, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET (Register here)
• Notice of Intent submission: No later than May 13, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. ET
• Letter of Intent deadline: May 13, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. ET
• Full application deadline: July 31, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. ET
• Notification of Decision: October 2025
• Funding start date: December 1, 2025

*This session will be recorded and posted on OICR’s funding opportunities web page.

Questions?

Please refer to the FAQ page before contacting the OICR Scientific Secretariat office at ScientificSecretariat@oicr.on.ca.

How to apply:

To access funding opportunity resources, including: data sharing, open access and retention, eligible expenses, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion tactics in research, Ontario First mandate, patient partner payment policy and ReportNet instructions, please visit the bottom of the Funding Opportunities website.