INOVAIT Launches Winter 2026 Pilot Fund Call for Applications to Advance AI and Image-Guided Therapy Innovations
INOVAIT, Canada’s leading network for image-guided therapy (IGT) and artificial intelligence (AI), has opened a new call for applications for its Winter 2026 Pilot Fund, a non-dilutive funding program designed to support cutting-edge research and development projects in medical technologies. The Pilot Fund supports promising innovations in IGT and AI that have the potential to transform patient care through improved diagnosis, safer procedures, and better treatment outcomes.
The Winter 2026 round will provide funding of up to CAD 150,000 per project to accelerate the development of innovative technologies through 9 to 12-month R&D initiatives. This program is intended to support industrial research—from early-stage discovery through to product development—as well as large-scale demonstrations that help bridge the gap between research and market-ready applications.
Supporting Canada’s Medical Technology Innovation Ecosystem
INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Canada’s medtech ecosystem and support the commercialization of advanced medical technologies. The program is designed to help researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs move their ideas from the laboratory into clinical practice and the marketplace, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
To date, INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund has invested CAD 10.4 million across 83 projects, supporting innovations that span medical imaging, surgical guidance, AI-enabled diagnostics, and more. The funded projects have contributed to job creation, talent development, and the growth of Canada’s medtech sector—helping position the country for global leadership in medical technology innovation.
“Our Pilot Fund has invested 10.4 million CAD through 83 projects that are transforming the medical technology sector and healthcare across Canada—creating jobs, training the next generation of innovators, and positioning our medtech sector for global leadership,” said Raphael Ronen, Co-Executive Director of INOVAIT. “This Winter 2026 round represents our continued commitment to turning groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that improve and save lives.”
Non-Dilutive Funding to Accelerate R&D
The Winter 2026 Pilot Fund is a non-dilutive funding program, meaning that recipients receive financial support without giving up equity or ownership. This structure is designed to encourage participation from a wide range of organizations, including corporations, academic institutions, hospitals, and not-for-profit organizations across Canada.
Each selected project can receive up to CAD 150,000 to support a 9- to 12-month research and development cycle. The funding is intended to help teams accelerate the development of their technologies, validate clinical value, and move closer to commercialization.
The program supports projects across the spectrum of industrial research, from discovery and early development to technology-driven product creation. It also supports large-scale demonstrations that help advance innovations into real-world, market-ready applications.
Government Support and Strategic Investment
Funding for INOVAIT is provided through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to supporting innovation and strengthening Canada’s position in advanced medical technologies.
The federal government has emphasized the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, particularly in improving diagnostic precision and enabling safer, more effective clinical procedures. This funding initiative aims to accelerate the development of AI-enabled solutions that can support clinicians and improve patient care.
“Innovations in AI are reshaping patient care by enabling more precise diagnoses, safer procedures, and better treatment outcomes,” said The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry. “The government’s investment in INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund will boost the development of new technologies to help clinicians deliver faster, higher quality care, which will improve patient outcomes for all Canadians.”
The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of AI and Digital Innovation, echoed this sentiment, highlighting AI as a key driver of innovation across sectors. “AI is a powerful driver of innovation, accelerating discovery and turning bold ideas into practical solutions,” he said. “By supporting AI-enabled research in image-guided therapy and medical technologies, initiatives like INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund help Canadian innovators move faster from concept to production, strengthening our technology ecosystem and ensuring Canada remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
Open to a Wide Range of Canadian Innovators
The Winter 2026 Pilot Fund is open to a diverse range of organizations, including:
- Canadian corporations
- Academic institutions
- Hospitals
- Not-for-profit organizations
This broad eligibility ensures that innovators from across Canada’s medtech ecosystem have the opportunity to access funding and support for projects that can advance patient care.
Selection Criteria Focused on Impact and Commercial Potential
Pilot Fund projects are selected based on a rigorous evaluation process that considers scientific, clinical, and technical merit. Projects must demonstrate strong potential for commercialization and economic impact, ensuring that funded innovations are not only scientifically sound but also positioned for real-world adoption.
Successful applications typically show:
- Clear evidence of scientific and technical feasibility
- Strong clinical relevance and potential to improve patient outcomes
- A well-defined path to commercialization
- Potential for economic impact, including job creation and industry growth
By emphasizing both scientific excellence and market readiness, the Pilot Fund aims to accelerate the development of technologies that can deliver tangible benefits to patients, clinicians, and the broader healthcare system.
Driving Innovation Across Image-Guided Therapy and AI
Image-guided therapy and AI are among the fastest-growing areas in medical technology, with the potential to revolutionize how healthcare is delivered. Image-guided therapy uses advanced imaging and real-time visualization to improve the precision and safety of surgical and interventional procedures. AI, meanwhile, is increasingly being used to enhance diagnostic accuracy, predict patient outcomes, and optimize clinical workflows.
By supporting projects at the intersection of these fields, INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that can transform healthcare delivery. The program aims to support innovations that can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, reduce procedural risks, and enable more personalized treatment planning.
Interested organizations are encouraged to review the Pilot Fund guidelines and submit applications for the Winter 2026 round. As the program is competitive and selective, applicants are advised to clearly articulate the scientific and clinical value of their projects, as well as their path to commercialization.
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