Supercluster to invest in COVID-19 projects and solutions

VANCOUVER – The Digital Technology Supercluster is leading the development of solutions to some of the biggest issues created by COVID-19. The COVID-19 Program is focused on unlocking solutions to protect the health and safety of all Canadians and our economy through the development, deployment, and scaling of digital technologies.

Through the COVID-19 Digital Innovation Program, (‘the Program’), the Digital Technology Supercluster will invest in projects that contribute to improving the health and safety of Canadians and Canada’s ability to address issues created by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as building expertise and capacity to address and anticipate issues that may arise in future health crises.

Through the Program, the Digital Technology Supercluster, (‘the Supercluster’), will invest in projects that support the development, deployment, scale-up and adoption of products, services or technologies that help governments, communities, employers and individual Canadians address exceptional needs created by, and impacts of, COVID-19.

We will build on Canada’s pre-existing strengths and bring together new teams to solve the most critical problems we are facing at this pressing and unprecedented time. The Supercluster will align investments with critical needs identified by the Government of Canada and work to coordinate funding with other federal and provincial funding programs so that, together, we deliver digital solutions in this extraordinary environment.

The Program will focus on six pressing needs:

1. Health system: Technologies that support our health systems, hospitals and healthcare workers to effectively manage resources to provide high quality care to patients. Examples may include clinical decision support tools, human resource and supply chain management and first responder supports.
2. Community health: Technology solutions that enable Canadians, their families and friends to access to care in their communities, in their homes and/or in remote locations, and to connect and support each other. Examples may include virtual care and digital solutions for rapid screening, testing and remote monitoring and delivery of care to remote communities.
3. Safe living: Enabling technologies for Canadians to live safely and securely, and to access the support and resources they need, whether at home or at work. Examples may include secure messaging, virtual health programs for both physical and mental health needs, specialized resources for those struggling with substance abuse, work safe programs or delivery of food, medication and supplies.
4. Diagnostics and therapeutics: Platforms that support sharing of data, research and scientific developments and for support clinical trials in the drive to discover and deploy new vaccines, diagnostic tests, and therapies for COVID-19.
5. Emergency response: Tools and technologies that can be used to predict, plan and respond to any subsequent COVID-19 waves and other crises situations. Examples may include population level predictive analytics, modelling tools and simulations using virtual and augmented reality and data from multiple sources.
6. Other contributions: Other technology solutions that can address the effects of COVID-19. The Program will focus on projects that will deliver immediate impacts (< 6 months) and time horizons up to 18 months. These opportunities are expected to be a combination of impactful technology development and deployment initiatives.

Who can apply? The Supercluster will invest in projects that align with the Program Focus described above, namely projects that will deliver digital technology solutions to improve the health and safety of Canadians and Canada’s ability to address the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as future health crises.

1. Any Member or Associate of the Supercluster may submit an idea for consideration.
2. A Project Proposal for the Program must be led by a Supercluster Member or Associate who will become a Member upon selection of the project.
3. Projects must have experienced and capable project management.
4. Collaboration is core to the Program. However, in some situations, the Supercluster may invest in single company initiatives. Potential partners and/or sub-contractors who will be involved in the execution of the project should be identified. The Supercluster will help organizations identify potential partners.