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EXPERIENCE BioHubNet · Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge Exchange Round 5 now open

Application deadline Friday, August 14, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT
DepartureHome institution · Canada
ExchangeSpecialized host expertise
ReturnKnowledge brought home
New for Round 5

Now also accepting international placements

BioHubNet has expanded the Knowledge Exchange program to support international exchanges. This new stream enables trainees to access specialized expertise, facilities, technologies and training opportunities that may not be readily available within Canada.

By supporting targeted international placements, BioHubNet aims to address critical training gaps while ensuring that knowledge, skills and best practices are brought back to strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing capabilities and improve human health outcomes.

A returning research trainee demonstrating a newly learned technique to colleagues at their home institution
Exchange → return → capability shared across the home institution
01

Identify a training gap

Define specialized expertise or capability not readily available in Canada.

02

Train internationally

Access targeted facilities, technologies, methods and expert guidance.

03

Return to Canada

Confirm the trainee's intention to return following the exchange.

04

Transfer knowledge

Bring new skills and best practices back to the home institution.

Placement types

Canadian and international exchanges

Select the setting that best addresses the training gap while keeping knowledge transfer back to Canada at the centre of the proposal.

Researchers from different Canadian institutions collaborating at a microscopy workstation
Within Canada

Canadian exchanges

Placements must be inter-institutional and may occur within:

  • Canadian universities
  • Research institutes
  • Hospitals
  • Government laboratories
  • Other eligible research organizations
A visiting research trainee receiving specialized bioprocess training from host scientists
Beyond Canada

International exchanges

International placements are intended for specialized training opportunities not readily available in Canada. Applicants must:

  • Explain the specific training gap that requires an international host and show how the training will strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing capacity.
  • Confirm their intention to return to Canada following the exchange and describe how the acquired knowledge and skills will be transferred to their home institution or research group.
  • Review the Government of Canada National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and complete a self-assessment to determine whether the project poses potential national security risks.
  • If the research falls within a research risk category, develop a risk mitigation plan and submit it with the application and the Research Security Risk Assessment form.

The proposed project must demonstrate a clear contribution to advancing biomanufacturing capabilities, capacity or expertise in ways that contribute to improving human health.

Eligibility

Who can participate

This opportunity is open to eligible highly qualified personnel at participating institutions.

01Master's students
02PhD students
03Postdoctoral fellows
04Research associates
05Laboratory technicians
Eligible institutions

Find your placement access

Placement duration depends on the participant's home institution.

14Institutions with1-, 4-, and 6-month access
27Institutions with1-month access

1, 4 and 6 month placements

All three Knowledge Exchange durations are available.

  • Hospital for Sick Children
  • Queen's University
  • Seneca Polytechnic
  • Sinai Health
  • Sunnybrook Research Institute
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
  • Unity Health Toronto
  • University Health Network
  • University of Guelph
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Waterloo
  • University of Windsor
  • Western University
  • York University

1 month placements only

Short-term Knowledge Exchange placements are available.

  • Baycrest Hospital
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • Centre hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine
  • Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
  • Concordia University of Edmonton
  • Dalhousie University
  • École Polytechnique de Montréal
  • Institut national de la recherche scientifique
  • McGill University
  • McMaster University
  • Memorial University
  • Michael Garron Hospital
  • Simon Fraser University
  • The Ottawa Hospital
  • Université de Montréal
  • Université de Sherbrooke
  • Université Laval
  • University of Alberta
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Lethbridge
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Regina
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • University of Victoria
  • Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
Award categories

Two ways to build capability

01

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Supports interdisciplinary projects that integrate biomanufacturing with other scientific disciplines, including engineering, data science, materials science and computer science.

02

New skills development

Supports projects focused on acquiring new skills, methodologies and proficiency with equipment or technologies relevant to biomanufacturing.

Duration & funding

Support matched to the depth of exchange

Choose the placement duration that matches the scope of the proposed training and the capability you intend to bring home.

Funding stream Current position 1 month 4 months 6 months
Main Award
(stipend support)
Master's / PhD N/A $10,000 $15,000
Postdoctoral fellow N/A $16,700 $25,000
Research associate / laboratory technician N/A $20,000 $30,000
Mobility Award All eligible roles $2,500 Up to $10,000 optional
Required documents

Prepare your application package

Application forms and additional information are available on the BioHubNet EXPERIENCE page.

  • Knowledge Exchange Application Short-term form ↗ Long-term form ↗
  • Mobility Award application (optional) Download form ↗
  • Applicant CV
  • Home supervisor support letter
  • Host supervisor invitation letter
  • Research Security Risk Assessment form (international exchange only, if applicable)
  • Risk mitigation plan (international exchange only, if applicable)
Application deadline Friday, August 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT Program Inquiry