The IPP will prioritize initiatives that clearly align with D2R’s six foundational axes and priority disease areas. This program supports structured partnerships that offer added value through their scale, integration, and long-term potential, rather than individual or small-scale collaborations.

Strategic funding by D2R will be flexible, with an initial goal of supporting 3 to 4 large-scale multi-institutional initiatives. Each project may receive a maximum of $600,000 over three years from D2R. Matching contributions from the international partner(s)—primarily in the form of cash—are required.

Funding from this program will be used to advance D2R’s international positioning through high-impact, well-aligned partnerships that are not eligible for support under conventional Canadian research funding mechanisms.

The application process consists of two stages: a Letter of Intent (LOI) and, if selected, a full application.

D2R will fund international partnership initiatives that meet the following criteria:

Strategic Alignment

• Demonstrate direct relevance to advancing D2R’s research mission and strategic objectives, including alignment with one or more of D2R’s six foundational axes and priority disease areas (see D2R website)
• Advance D2R’s international positioning through partnerships not otherwise supported by conventional Canadian funding mechanism

Collaboration and Institutional Commitment

• Develop new or build on existing collaborations with internationally recognized research organizations
• Establish formal institutional partnerships—not informal collaborations—with demonstrated commitment from the partner organization(s) to engage in joint activities (e.g., research, training, and, where appropriate, commercialization)
• Ensure the partner organization(s) provide 1:1 matching contributions. A strong preference is given to cash contributions; well justified in-kind contributions may be accepted, particularly in contexts where cash support is not feasible.

Program Scope and Added Value

• Support large-scale, joint initiatives involving multiple researchers and research teams at ɬÀï·¬ and the international partner institution(s)
• Structure the initiative around integrated, co-developed program that leverage complementarity, synergy, or contextual advantages (e.g., unique populations, infrastructure, regulatory frameworks)—not an aggregation of independent efforts

Training and Capacity Building

• Provide research and training opportunities, including international exchanges, that are uniquely enabled by the partnership and not typically available through Canadian domestic funding programs
• Support broad participation and capacity-building for Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP), including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, through diverse, multidisciplinary, and globally integrated training environments

The maximum amount is up to $200,000 annually for up to three years, for a maximum of $600,000 per award.

The maximum duration is up to three years. Renewal proposals may be submitted but will be assessed through the same review process as other submissions.

The number, size, and duration of awards may be adjusted in exceptional cases to support high-priority partnerships or other strategic considerations.

All expenses must adhere to the guidelines outlined in .

Funds may be transferred to co-applicants from eligible D2R partner institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, and IRCM).

Eligible expenses under the D2R portion of the budget include:

• Salaries and benefits for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
• Supplies and consumables
• Small equipment and research infrastructure essential to the program
• Travel, networking, workshops, and meetings directly related to the partnership
• Computers, software, and technical services required to support project implementation
• Travel costs for trainees participating in international exchanges or short-term placements
• Accommodation and subsistence during training/mobility (per university/agency policies)
• Note: D2R funds cannot be used to support expenses incurred at the international partner organization(s).

Principal Investigator (PI)

• The Principal Investigator must be a ɬÀï·¬ faculty member holding the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor.
• The PI is responsible for leading the development of the joint initiative and coordinating the overall project.

Co-Investigator(s) may include:

• ɬÀï·¬ faculty members who hold the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor
• Faculty from D2R partner institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, and IRCM) who appear on the approved list of D2R-afflicated researchers submitted by each partner institution
• Co-Investigators are expected to play active roles in project design and execution.

Collaborators

• Can include individuals from academia, industry, government, or community organizations.
• Collaborators are not eligible to receive direct funding from D2R.
• They may contribute expertise, resources, or access to specific research populations or technologies relevant to the project.

International Partner Organizations

Eligible organizations may include academic institutions, governments, industry partners, associations, or non-profit organizations based outside of Canada.

There may be more than one international partner organization involved in a given partnership program, each with distinct roles and contributions.

To be considered eligible, an international partner organization must:

• Demonstrate a sustained institutional commitment to the proposed collaboration
• Provide a matching contribution (see Section 2 for details)
• Submit a letter of support or memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by a senior institutional official (e.g., President, Principal, Vice-President Research)
• Enter into a formal partnership agreement with ɬÀï·¬/D2R outlining the roles, responsibilities, and financial contributions of each party

Participate in joint research, training, and knowledge translation activities, as appropriate to the scope and goals of the project

Letters of Intent are accepted on a rolling basis, as part of an open call.

• LOI form
• Use the LOI template

To ensure efficient evaluation, submitted LOIs may be reviewed in batches, depending on the volume and timing of submissions.

Due to limited funding and strategic considerations, only LOIs that demonstrate strong alignment with program objectives—including complementarity, institutional commitment, and clear added value—will be invited to submit a full proposal.

6.1 LOI Criteria

• Strategic alignment with D2R’s foundational research axes, priority disease areas, and objectives of the IPP
• Clarity and relevance of the proposed partnership initiative, including its scope, objectives, and expected outcomes
• Evidence of complementarity or synergy between the partner institutions. Overall impact of the proposed activities
• Institutional commitment from the international partner(s), including plans for matching contributions

6.2 LOI Notification

All applicants will be informed of the LOI evaluation outcomes via email.

Only applicants whose LOIs are selected will be invited to submit a full proposal. Feedback may be provided at the discretion of the review committee.

Timelines may vary depending on submission volume and review scheduling, but applicants can generally expect a response within 3 months.

Only researchers whose Letters of Intent are selected will be invited to submit a full application. Invited researchers will be provided with the required links and templates.

7.1 Documents to Upload

The required documents are:

• Partnership Program Description
• Biosketches for the Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators only
• Requested D2R Budget and Justification
• Milestones and Timelines
• Reviewer Suggestions
• Letter(s) confirming matching cash contributions from the international partner organization(s) (must be provided in English or French, or accompanied by a certified translation if issued in another language)
  • Must be signed by a senior institutional official (e.g., President, Principal, or Vice-President of Research)
  • Must outline the organization’s financial commitment and role in the initiative (e.g., research, training, joint governance)
• Optional Supporting Documentation: May include an existing partnership agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), if available.

7.2 Partnership Program Description

Page limits:

1. English applications: maximum of 15 pages inclusive of references
2. French applications: maximum of 17 pages, inclusive of references.

Figures and images are allowed but must be contained within the page limit. Appendices are not permitted. Any additional pages will be removed prior to review.

Use the template provided to address the following.

A. Introduction

• Background, context, and rationale
• Overall research and partnership objectives
• Strategic importance of the proposed collaboration, including how it supports D2R’s internationalization goals and positions ɬÀï·¬ for global leadership

B. Alignment with D2R

• Alignment with D2R’s foundational research axes
• Alignment with one or more of D2R’s priority disease areas (if applicable)
• How the partnership adds value beyond domestic collaborations and contributes to D2R’s broader mission

C. International Partnership

• Overview of the international partner organization(s): reputation, research strengths, strategic priorities
• Description of the research team (across all institutions), their roles, and relevant expertise
• Rationale for the partnership, including prior collaborations (if applicable)
• How the partnership leverages complementarity, synergy, and/or unique contextual advantages (e.g., access to populations, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure)
• Planned joint activities (e.g., research, training, knowledge translation) and roles of each partner

D. Research Plan

• Description of the major research programs and activities to be supported

Note: It is essential to define a set of specific, co-developed projects to be supported with D2R funds—not a loose collection of parallel activities

• Aims, objectives, and methodologies, and how these will be pursued collaboratively
• Overview of major milestones and deliverables, aligned with the proposed research/training plan and timeline
• Knowledge translation strategy and anticipated impact (e.g., academic, clinical, industrial, societal)

E. Governance and Sustainability

• Governance and leadership model for coordination, oversight, and accountability, including how decision-making will be shared across institutions (e.g., joint committees, co-leads)
• Strategies to sustain momentum beyond the D2R funding period (e.g., institutional support, external funding, integration into broader initiatives)
• Prospects for continued collaboration, where applicable (e.g., infrastructure sharing, evolving initiatives, potential for renewal or future joint initiatives)
• Support for early-career researchers (ECRs) through mentorship, co-supervision, or mobility programs

F. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan

Describe your EDI Plan for the overall partnership program, addressing both research design and research practice across all proposed projects.

EDI in Research Design

Thoughtful EDI in research design should include EDI considerations embedded throughout all research stages to enhance rigor and impact. Applicants should address:

• Research Questions & Study Design: Explain how research questions consider the needs of diverse populations or specific equity-deserving groups. Describe how potential biases are identified and mitigated, whose perspectives are informing the project, and whether any inherent EDI biases impact the research question. If so, explain how the study design aims to address and mitigate these biases.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Outline how data will be collected and analyzed, ensuring disaggregation where applicable (e.g., by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) to capture meaningful differences. Describe strategies to mitigate biases.
• Knowledge Mobilization & Dissemination: Explain how research findings will be shared inclusively, ensuring accessibility for all groups, especially equity-deserving communities. If applicable, describe how therapies developed will be made accessible to diverse populations.

EDI in Research Practice

Thoughtful EDI in research practice should include EDI considerations concerning:

• Team Composition and Recruitment: Describe efforts to assemble a diverse research team, including measures to mitigate systemic barriers in recruitment and enhance diversity. Outline existing strategies and planned improvements.
• Training and Development: Explain how equitable access to training opportunities will be ensured for all team members (faculty, staff, trainees, and partners).
• Inclusion and Accessibility: Describe current and planned measures to create an inclusive and accessible research environment where all members feel valued and integrated.
• Mentorship and Institutional Support: Highlight available mentorship programs and how team members will support each other's professional development beyond research activities. Identify institutional policies and resources that promote EDI within the research setting.

If EDI considerations are not applicable, provide an evidence-based rationale.

G. Budget

• Summary of requested D2R budget and justification for major items
• Explanation of any items requiring additional context or deviation from eligibility guidelines
• Summary of confirmed partner contributions (cash and in-kind), aligned with submitted confirmation letters

H. References

• Provide DOIs where available

All applications will undergo an administrative reviewed to confirm:

• Completeness of the application
• Applicant and co-applicant eligibility
• Adherence to page limits and formatting
• Confirmation of matching contributions from the international partner(s)

Applications that pass administrative review will be evaluated by external reviewers and/or internal committees, as designated by D2R leadership.

8.1 Scientific and Strategic Merit Evaluation

Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1 to 20, for a total score of 100 points.

1. Partnership Value and Structure: Includes complementarity, synergy, institutional commitment, matching contributions, and governance/leadership model, and strategies for sustaining the partnership beyond the D2R funding period.
2. Scientific and Technical Merit: Includes the clarity, feasibility, and rigor of the research plan — objectives, methodology, timelines, and deliverables.
3. Impact and Knowledge Translation: Includes anticipated academic, clinical, industrial, or societal benefits and plans for knowledge translation.
4. Training and Capacity Building: Includes quality of opportunities for HQP and ECRs, such as mentorship, mobility, and access to international research environments.
5. Budget and Justification: Includes clarity, coherence, and appropriateness of the proposed budget, and alignment with project scope.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Review

EDI integration will be evaluated as part of the overall proposal assessment. Reviewers will assess how thoughtfully EDI is addressed in both:

• Research design (e.g., relevance to diverse populations, mitigation of bias, inclusive dissemination), and
• Research practice (e.g., diverse team composition, inclusive training, accessibility)

For proposals deemed fundable, EDI plans may undergo further review by experts. If revisions are required, Principal Investigators will be asked to update their EDI plan prior to release of funds.

Funding decisions will be based on:

• Alignment with the objectives of D2R’s International Partnerships Program (IPP)
• Scientific and strategic merit of the proposal
• Strength of the international partnership, including institutional commitment and complementarity

Proposals will be reviewed and prioritized by a committee designated by D2R leadership, which may include members of the Strategic Alignment Review Committee (SARC). Final decisions will be approved by the D2R Research Steering Committee (RSC).

9.1 Announcement of Results

• Principal Investigators will be informed of the evaluation outcome by email.
• Successful applicants may also receive feedback or requests for clarification, including on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) integration, if applicable.

9.2 Notice of Award

Successful applicants will receive a formal Notice of Award (NoA) detailing:

• The terms and conditions of funding
• Project start and end dates
• Reporting requirements and deliverables
• Any conditions for release of funds, including revisions to the EDI plan or budget (if required)

For additional information about the program or to discuss a project that might be relevant for consideration, please contact: D2R.Funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Clinical%20Research%20, %20Development) .