In 2019, thanks to a generous anchor gift from the Azrieli Foundation, Brain Canada launched its flagship Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program, a unique program designed to fund promising researchers at the most pivotal point in their career – the beginning.
To date, with the support of Health Canada and generous private donors, the program has awarded 88 grants of $100,000 each to Canadian researchers on a quest to pursue their most innovative ideas.
To celebrate Brain Awareness Week 2024, five years since the first cohort of researchers received funding, let’s take a look at what some of these auspicious scientists have accomplished so far.
THE FACTS
- Engaged 142 trainees (including BSc, MSc and PhD students and Post-Docs) and 57 highly-qualified personnel (e.g., technicians, lab managers)
- A total of 98 collaborations with other researchers, health care practitioners, and decision-makers
- Over 243 individuals participating
- A total of 200 oral and poster presentations to researchers, 31% made by trainees
- A total of 27 awards and recognitions, including various prestigious awards from national professional associations (e.g., Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Canadian Psychological Association)
- More than $65 million in additional funding to amplify investment in Future Leader projects
- At least 5 patents filed for discoveries resulting from Future Leader projects
- A total of 11 consultations and briefings with decision-makers, patients, other researchers