Health Arena: Innovations in Oncology

Name: Health Arena: Innovations in Oncology
Start: 2026-06-02T19:00:00Z
End: 2026-06-02T23:00:00Z
Location: Espace CDPQ

Espace CDPQ

June 2, 2026

Submission

Step into the Health Arena—where bold ideas become breakthrough solutions.

Are you working on a discovery that could determine the future of cancer care? Health Arena was created with you in mind.

Health Arena: Innovations in Oncology is a transformative initiative uniting the cancer research communities of Université de Montréal and McGill University with philanthropists, family foundations, and venture capitalists. Its mission is to break down the barriers between philanthropy and innovation by creating a direct pipeline between high-impact oncology research and committed investors.

Through a competitive pitch process, Health Arena accelerates funding and development of innovative cancer research projects that can redefine how we detect, treat, and understand cancer. This isn’t a traditional grant; it’s a launchpad designed to propel your work.

Register today for a chance to participate in an exclusive investor showcase with the industry's most disruptive players—and to win up to $250,000 in philanthropic funding.

Submission deadline: March 30, 2026.

A joint initiative of the Institut du cancer de Montréal, the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, and the Montreal General Hospital Foundation.

Compete in the Health Arena

Health Arena: Innovations in Oncology is calling on researchers, clinicians, and innovators affiliated to McGill University and Université de Montréal.

Bringing together researchers, startups, philanthropists, and investors determined to accelerate innovations that have the potential to improve patient outcomes, this high-energy pitch competition seeks to showcase your work to decision-makers who can help turn your idea into a transformative solution.

Health Arena is where scientific excellence meets real-world impact—and where the most innovative ideas can unlock up to $250,000 in philanthropic funding, strategic visibility, and the backing of leaders in philanthropy and venture investment.

Submission

A showcase for ideas that change lives.

Whether you are developing a novel therapeutic approach, a diagnostic platform, next-gen imaging, AI for oncology, or a disruptive biotech startup, the world needs your innovations. This competition is designed to help your ideas go further, faster.

By submitting your project, you gain a chance to:

Fast-track your innovation with up to $250,000 in funding and additional funding announcements to come.
Pitch to leaders in oncology research, philanthropy, and impact investing.
Strengthen your project and storytelling through personalized coaching.
Build collaborations across two major Canadian research ecosystems.
Gain visibility with industry leaders and disruptors actively seeking the next breakthrough in oncology.

Timeline

Call for Proposals Launch: December 10, 2025
Information Webinar: January 30th, 2026 (noon, Montreal time)
Submission Deadline: March 30, 2026 (8:00 p.m. Montreal time)
Scientific & Strategic Review: April 1-23, 2026
Finalists Announced: April 24, 2026
Coaching & Presentation Preparation: April 27 - May 22, 2026
Health Arena Event (Pitch Competition): June 2, 2026

Submission

Webinar: January 30th, 2026, at noon (Montreal) - Registration Form

Health Arena will host a webinar to provide more information on this initiative and respond to questions. Click on the link below to join the information session.

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Meeting ID: 257 057 957 026 07
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Tenant key: confmsss@m.webex.com
Video ID: 115 566 432 77
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Frequently Asked Questions

Teams of researchers of which the principal investigator (PI) is currently professionally affiliated to McGill University and/or to the Université de Montréal can submit an oncology project to Health Arena. Don't hesitate to contact our team with any questions relating to your eligibility.

Health Arena seeks scientific research projects in the field of oncology that are led by a PI currently professionally affiliated to McGill University or Université de Montréal and that are at a TRL ranging from 3 to 6. Interdisciplinary projects and cross-university collaborations are strongly encouraged.

Teams who wish to submit a project to Health Arena must fill the submission form on this website by 8 pm on March 30^th, 2026. Attendance to the Health Arena event on June 2^nd is on invitation only.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of submissions to which each individual researcher contributes.

Scientific merit and innovation - 30%
Feasibility and team expertise - 20%
Translational potential and patient impact - 30%
Intellectual property and commercialization strategy - 10%
Inter-institutional collaboration - 10%

Founding Partners

Health Arena is a joint initiative of the Institut du cancer de Montréal (affiliated to the Centre de recherche de l'Université de Montréal), the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, and the Montreal General Hospital Foundation.