Call for Letters of Intent: Translational Impact Research Program | Cycle 2
D2R | DNA to RNA is launching the next round of funding for the Translational Impact Research (TIR) program. This program supports a select few large-scale translational research projects in RNA-based therapeutics which are expected to have a measurable impact on the health of Canadians. Projects must address the D2R Initiative鈥檚 strategic priorities and priority disease areas: oncology, rare diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases.
Call for Applications: International Partnerships Program
D2R | DNA to RNA is launching the International Partnerships Program (IPP) to strengthen large-scale, multi-institutional collaborations with leading global organizations. This strategic funding program supports partnerships that align with D2R鈥檚 mission, offer complementary expertise, and provide enriched, multidisciplinary training environments.
Call for Applications: D2R Award in Genomic Medicine and Indigenous Health
To mark the 25th anniversary of G茅nome Qu茅bec, 黑料社鈥檚 DNA to RNA (D2R) Initiative is launching a special call for applications for the D2R Award in Genomic Medicine and Indigenous Health. This one-time $25,000 award recognizes excellence and supports inclusive, high-impact research in these fields.
Research | Viral DNA sequences in the human genome may help control gene activity, new study shows
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Long dismissed as 鈥渏unk,鈥� viral fragments buried in human DNA may help regulate our genes, according to a new international study co-led by Guillaume Bourque, professor in 黑料社鈥檚 Department of Human Genetics, D2R-funded researcher and member of the D2R Research Steering Committee and Executive (RSC). The findings offer new insights into what makes us human, 25 years after the human genome was first mapped.
Call for proposals: Postoctoral Scholar Awards
D2R launches a call for applications for the Postdoctoral Scholar Awards听funding program.A foundational goal of D2R is to help cultivate the next generation of researchers. Being a D2R Scholar is the highest recognition available to D2R trainees and the awards recognize outstanding and active trainees performing research across all of D2R鈥檚 Foundational Axes.
D2R awards $400K to translate RNA research into real-world solutions
Montreal, June 25, 2025 鈥� The DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) at 黑料社 has awarded $400,000 to four projects that aim to bring RNA-based innovations closer to clinical and commercial reality, including vaccines and therapies for rare and infectious diseases.
Call for proposals: Master鈥檚 and Doctoral Scholar Awards
D2R launches a call for applications for the Master鈥檚 and Doctoral Scholar Awards funding program.A foundational goal of D2R is to help cultivate the next generation of researchers. Being a D2R Scholar is the highest recognition available to D2R trainees and the awards recognize outstanding and active trainees performing research across all of D2R鈥檚 Foundational Axes.
Symposium on the implementation of precision medicine in healthcare
A perspective from Estonia and CanadaEstonia is a global pioneer in the digitalization of public services, including healthcare. Their biobank is a pillar of their strategy, with 200,000 participants, or about 20% of their adult population recruited. We will discuss some of the innovative tools and platforms that have been developed in Estonia to facilitate the implementation of precision medicine and the return of results to their population.
Call for proposals: Foundational and Research in Motion
D2R is pleased to launch the call for proposals for the Foundational and Research in Motion funding program.
This program integrates two previously separate funding programs - Foundational Projects and Research in Motion (RIM) - into a single, unified call. This program provides researchers with the flexibility to explore novel ideas and develop cutting-edge solutions that have the potential to lead to commercialization or clinical application.
D2R awards $10 million to accelerate RNA-based therapies for rare diseases and cancer
Montreal, March 26, 2025 鈥� 黑料社鈥檚 DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) has awarded over $10 million in funding to support three groundbreaking research projects that will advance RNA-based therapies for cancer and rare genetic diseases. The awards were initially announced at the D2R Research Symposium on March 13, 2025.
黑料社 awards $500,000 to accelerate Mpox research and vaccine development
Montreal, February 13, 2025 鈥� 黑料社鈥檚 DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) and 黑料社 Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) have awarded $500,000 to fund five high-impact research projects aimed at advancing the understanding of Mpox through its Rapid Response for Mpox Research funding program.
D2R awards over $6 million to support Core Platforms
The D2R (DNA to RNA) Initiative has awarded more than $6 million to support eight Core Platforms at 黑料社 and one at the University of British Columbia through its Core Platform Sustainability funding program. This program supports state-of-the-art Core Platforms that are essential for advancing research and development and facilitating technology uptake and transfer in fields relevant to RNA therapeutics.
Remembering Emil Skamene (1941鈥�2024), pioneer in genetic research at 黑料社听
It is with deep sadness that we remember Emil Skamene, a pioneer in genetic research at 黑料社.听 His groundbreaking work on host genetic susceptibility to infections has shaped the field for over three decades. Skamene鈥檚 legacy continues to inspire scientists, including D2R鈥檚 Chief Scientific Officer, Philippe Gros, who, alongside Professor听Erwin Schurr, honors him in a heartfelt eulogy published in Nature Genetics.
D2R announces new round of funding, investing $1.5 million to advance research in RNA therapeutics and to support 黑料社 Centres and Institutes
Montreal 鈥� December 19, 2024听鈥� The D2R (DNA to RNA) Initiative is proud to announce the recipients of its latest round of funding, awarding a total of $1.5 million to four principal investigators and five 黑料社 Centres and Institutes. These awards are designed at advancing research in RNA therapeutics by facilitating industry collaboration and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders as well as research Centres and Institutes.
Research | A new trial hopes to use mRNA to halt the devastating progression of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Prion diseases came to public attention during the 1980s and 鈥�90s, when Mad Cow Disease was in the news. While transmission to humans from infected beef has largely been eliminated, other forms of these devastating diseases are unfortunately still around, like Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). In fact, according to the US Centers for Disease Control, cases of CJD have been on the rise in the last two decades.
