Pilot Fund

Who?

This CFA is open to Canadian corporations, academic institutions, and not-for-profit organizations.Each project must include a Project Lead and one to three additional Project Partners, with at least one Ultimate Recipient being a Canadian small and medium enterprise (SME).

Note: Industry Collaborators that are Project Leads on a selected Focus Fund project are not eligible to participate as an Ultimate Recipient on this CFA.

What?

The Pilot Fund will support collaborative research and development (R&D) projects with an aim towards commercialization. All projects must involve the integration of artificial intelligence or advanced data capabilities into an image-guided therapy technology. Funding will support industrial research, including activities related to the discovery of new knowledge that aim to support the development of new technology-driven products or services and large-scale technology demonstration, including the advancement and development of new technologies into product-specific applications.

In this current Call for Applications (CFA), we will evaluate and award funding for 9- to 12-month long pilot projects (which will occur between April 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027) from a minimum of 100,000 CAD up to a maximum of 150,000 CAD in matching funds.

How Much?

Projects may request between 100,000 CAD to 150,000 CAD, with INOVAIT contributing up to one-third of total eligible supported costs in the form of reimbursement funding.

When?
Projects can begin no earlier than April 1, 2026 and end no later than June 30, 2027. Projects should be 9 to 12 months in length.

Where?
Register for an account on the INOVAIT Funding Portal. Proposals can be submitted through this portal between January 26, 2026 and 11:59 pm Pacific Daylight Time on March 11, 2026.

Download these key documents:
1. Guide for Applicants (EN/FR)
2. Application Questions (EN/FR)
3. Budget Workbook (EN/FR)
4. Suggested Expert Reviewers (EN/FR)
5. Ultimate Recipient Template Agreement (English only)

Need more information?
Email us at inovait@sunnybrook.ca.

Winter 2026 Pilot Fund Virtual Information Session

When: February 12, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST

Where: Zoom (link provided after registration)

INOVAIT is hosting an online information session to provide an overview of its Winter 2026 Pilot Fund Call for Applications. The Pilot Fund is a reimbursement-based funding program that supports collaborative, commercialization-oriented R&D projects applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, or big data to image-guided therapy (IGT) technologies.

​This webinar will provide prospective applicants with an overview of the Pilot Fund’s objectives, funding structure, eligibility criteria, and application process. Participants will learn how the program supports short-term R&D projects with strong scientific, clinical, and commercialization potential, and how organizations can access up to $150,000 in non-dilutive funding, with INOVAIT covering up to one-third of eligible project costs.

​The session will also highlight what INOVAIT looks for in successful applications, drawing on insights from past Pilot Fund projects that have helped advance innovative IGT technologies, improve patient outcomes, and drive economic growth across Canada.

​This funding opportunity is open to Canadian corporations, academic institutions, hospitals, and not-for-profit organizations. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical guidance to help prepare a competitive application.

This webinar will be presented in English. A recording, with both English and French captioning, will be available after the webinar at https://www.youtube.com/@INOVAITCanada.

Fund Facts

INOVAIT is proud to be funded by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The SIF’s objective is to spur innovation for a better Canada by providing funding for large projects, ultimately:

This funding opportunity is administered by the Sunnybrook Research Institute with funding from the Government of Canada.