Innovation in space medicine is essential to the success of future manned space exploration missions, such as those to the Moon or to Mars.

Context

There are many challenges involved in ensuring astronauts’ health in the extreme conditions of space, remote distances and limited medical accessibility. As a result, all over the world, many engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs are currently helping to develop innovations to support space exploration, which may also be applicable to our planet’s rural, remote or northern communities, where medical resources are difficult to access.

Orbit Health, powered by MEDTEQ+, is a call for projects designed to support Canadian companies in the development of technologies that will meet telemedicine and autonomous healthcare needs. This thematic call is part of MEDTEQ+’s IMPACT program.

This call for projects is carried out with the financial support of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) via the Class Grant and Contribution Program to support research, awareness and education in space science and technology – Research section.

Portfolio

1,8 M$

A total of $1.8 million has been allocated to MEDTEQ+ for this call, which will be redistributed to research and public health establishments to support projects with the Canadian industry.

Are you interested in this call for projects, or would you like to find out more ?

We invite you to read the call for projects guide, as well as the eligibility and selection criteria. All projects will be evaluated by a Scientific Committee.

Who is MEDTEQ+ ?

Founded in 2012 and comprised of over 200 members, MEDTEQ+ is a non-profit organization strategically located at the core of the healthcare technology sector, with a mission to stimulate collaboration among key players within the ecosystem.

With financial support from the 

 

As part of this Call for projects to support the development of healthcare technologies that can support space exploration and healthcare in remote regions, the projects submitted can address one of the following 3 themes:

Space innovation

Your technology meets the needs of space innovation, such as: altered or variant gravity zones and closed environments.

  • Examples
    • Ultrasound technologies
    • Biosensors
    • Decision support tools

Projects can be submitted until March 1st, 2024.

Innovation in telemedicine and remote regions

Your technology offers specialized solutions for telemedicine and telemedicine in remote areas, such as: long distances between Earth and space and isolation and confinement zones on
Earth.

  • Examples
    • Communication technology
    • 3D printers
    • Tools for monitoring psychological behavior

Projects can be submitted until March 1st, 2024.

Futuristic medicine and beyond

Your technology specializes in health innovation, such as the detection of radioactive areas and long-term health effects on Earth or in space.

  • Examples
    • Solutions for physilogical adaptation in space
    • Body fluid analysis systems
    • Electronic medical records

Projects can be submitted until March 1st, 2024.

Projects and eligible organizations

Eligible projects are intended to support companies who develop healthcare technologies that can serve populations in remote regions on Earth and/or in space. Priority will be given to projects led by startups and SMEs.

Projects can meet the following priorities and requirements:

1

The proposed project is focused on research and development of healthcare technology innovations specifically designed for use in remote space environments and distant regions on Earth to enhance the autonomy of healthcare professionals working in these areas.

2

The proposed project involves a technology with an initial Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 4 and 7 (see Appendix 1) in line with the priority of generating tangible outcomes with short-term adoption potential.

3

The developed innovations must offer a significant advantage over existing solutions on the market.

All individuals interested in this call should contact MEDTEQ+ as soon as possible via the following email address: projet@medteq.ca
Do you have any questions? Please consult our FAQ.
This call for projects is now closed.


Read the full news presenting the 6 selected projects

Information Sessions

Two online information sessions took place on February 15, 2024 at 1pm (EST) in French and 2:30 p.m. (EST) in English. Recordings of the online sessions are now available on the MEDTEQ+ YouTube channel. For full details, see the call for projects guide, section 5.1.

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