Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

1. Strength of the Solution:
   • Relevance: the extent to which the proposal has a clear digital health or life sciences focus.
   • Differentiation: the extent to which the technology is superior to current approaches with existing or planned intellectual property.
   • Viability of Technology: the extent to which the proposed product or service is technically viable and the timeline to a market-ready product or service is reasonable.
2. Strength of the Market: extent to which the proposed product or service is commercially viable with sufficient market opportunity to support commercial activity.
3. Strength of the Fellow and of the Team: extent and quality of the candidate's:
   • Entrepreneurial aims.
   • Leadership capacity to professionally represent the company to customers and investors.
   • Prior commitment to solution development.
   • Expertise to develop the technology towards a product or service.

Fellowships are up to two years, provided that sufficient technology and business milestones are met. The fellowship may be terminated if: the fellow can no longer participate full-time; the startup is acquired without the fellow continuing in a leadership role; the activity of the fellow or company diverges from the program objectives, or the fellow decides to terminate. Funding ceases when the fellowship is terminated.

Business and Technology expense funds will reimburse most business development expenses, including: operational expenses such as personnel; intellectual property costs; prototyping equipment, supplies and other costs; and market development costs. However, some exclusions include capital purchases, journal fees, degree, or certification costs.

Applicants do not need to be affiliated with the University of Calgary. We strongly encourage applicants from abroad to apply.

• Important early deliverables are outlined in the Essential Startup Milestones
• It is expected that all intellectual property related to the proposed product or service will be transferred into the startup.
  All fellowship startups must meet the revenue-sharing obligations of the institution where the technology was developed within 90 days of beginning the fellowship.

• No. Life Sciences Fellows are executive-level employees of their own incorporated startup. There is no employer-employee relationship whatsoever between fellows and Innovate Calgary.
• Fellows are expected to maintain a company presence or office at the Life Sciences Innovation Hub but are not employees of the LSIH.

• The fellowship program is founded on milestone-based accountability. Full-time commitment to startup activities is required to keep pace with program expectations and start-up milestones.
• We recognize that some flexibility with start dates may be necessary for some individuals to wrap up current commitments (e.g., to finish and defend PhD). For exceptional candidates, we are open to discussing a flexible transition for the first 90 days of the program.

The fellow must be a founding member of the startup and will own at least 25% or a simple majority (whichever is greater) of the shares outstanding in the venture.

• Participation in the fellowship program does not have any equity, royalty, or repayment obligations to Innovate Calgary or the University of Calgary. However, all fellowship startups must meet the revenue-sharing obligations of the institution where the technology was developed.

Life Sciences Fellows will have access to up to 100 hours per year of consulting and mentorship from an Expert Advisors group. These advisors have extensive business experience and connections within the life sciences sector, with expertise in regulatory, finance, marketing, governance, business strategy, communications, and more.  

Review our Expert Advisor list here. 

Participation in the Fellowship program itself does not have any equity, royalty, or repayment obligations to Innovate Calgary or the University of Calgary.

However, it is common to transfer intellectual property into the startup company. If the intellectual property originates at the University of Calgary, then the startup must meet the revenue-sharing obligations as stated in the University of Calgary’s Intellectual Property Policy. Similarly, if the Life Sciences startup company acquires intellectual property from another institution, it will have to comply with that institute’s policy.  The company must meet any revenue sharing obligations within 90 days of signing the Participation Agreement unless otherwise agreed to by Innovate Calgary.