Innovation Catalyst Grants

The QEII Foundation is working with Nova Scotia Health to accelerate health transformation with a focus on patient impact. The Innovation Catalyst Fund will rapidly fast-track innovative concepts into practice.

This Fund will provide strategic financial support to QEII leaders for their ideas that have the potential to transform local care and provide global solutions that will improve the lives of patients. Solutions centred around refining systems, building prototypes, performing beta trials and simulations, launching field studies, and demonstrating proof of concept.

Awarding of Grants

Applications are now open and must be submitted by Monday, September 16, 2024.

All completed and eligible submissions will be reviewed, with six finalists selected to live pitch their idea at the QEII Foundation’s Innovation Den, taking place on November 14, 2024, at the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub. Detailed event information and requirements will be provided to the six finalists selected.

A panel of Den Judges will decide on the order of winners, with each finalist receiving funds. Grants available are:

Medical Breakthrough Stream

Awarded to those who are bringing a medical discovery forward that may include an innovative product or device, a new therapy or treatment, or improved diagnosis for patients. Innovators in this stream will either plan to or currently have a registered business.

ACCELERATOR AWARD FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

$50,000

NEW PATH AWARD FOR
HEALTH INNOVATION

$100,000

Rising Innovator Award for Health

$20,000

Next Big Idea Stream

Awarded to healthcare staff who have identified a gap in patient support or opportunity for system transformation that want to take their idea to the next stage. These projects could make a positive impact on how care is accessed, delivered, or experienced and have the potential to increase efficiencies, reduce health system costs, improve patient equity, or sustainability of care.

Health Care Champion Award

$10,000

Health Innovation Leader Award

$12,000

One to Watch

$8,000

Applicant Criteria

To be eligible for Innovation Den, applicants must also meet the following criteria:

Applicant(s) is a Nova Scotia Health employee, cross appointed physician, researcher, or affiliated scientist who can hold funds at Nova Scotia Health.
Work on the innovation is conducted primarily at the QEII Health Sciences Centre or Nova Scotia Health sites.
The innovation must have a measurable positive impact on health care in Nova Scotia.
The innovation is a solution to a current issue within health care.
There is a clear implementation plan and framework for the innovation.
If applicable, business revenue for calendar year to date is less than $250,000.
Applicant(s) must be available to pitch in person on November 14, 2024.

How to Apply

Interested applicants will be required to complete the following online application to be considered for and selected to pitch live on November 14 at Innovation Den.

Applications are open from June 20, 2024, to September 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

If successfully selected to pitch on November 14, applicants will be contacted in October 2024 and receive pitch training to support presentation delivery.

When we combine the ingenuity of science and breakthrough thinking with the power of philanthropy, anything is possible.

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If you have questions about this program, please email Gillian Crosby at gillian.crosby@nshealth.ca.