Shaping the Future of Dementia Care
The Alzheimer’s Society Research Program That’s Shaping the Future of Dementia Care
For more than 35 years, the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) has supported researchers working to better understand dementia and improve the lives of people affected by it.
Since 1989, the ASRP has invested more than $87 million in dementia research across Canada. The ASRP funds dementia research in Canada through three key award categories: Doctoral, Postdoctoral, and New Investigator Grants and Proof of Concept Grants. This year’s recipients reflect a wide range of scientific disciplines and innovative approaches, each contributing uniquely to our collective understanding and efforts to improve the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
By funding researchers at different stages of their careers, the program helps support new ideas and advance promising areas of dementia research.
Why dementia research matters
Research helps us better understand the conditions and diseases that cause dementia, identify opportunities for earlier diagnosis, improve care for those living with the disease, and explore new approaches to treatment.
People living with dementia play an important role in this work. As ‘citizen reviewers’ through the Alzheimer Society Research Program, they help review research applications and provide input on research priorities. Their perspectives help ensure that funded projects address real-world needs and challenges.
Research also takes time. While some studies lead to new discoveries, others help rule out approaches or identify new questions to explore. Every project contributes to a growing body of knowledge that moves the field forward.
Research that makes an impact and helps improve lives
The projects funded through the Alzheimer Society Research Program vary in focus, but they share a common purpose: improving the lives of people affected by dementia.
Some projects aim to strengthen diagnosis and treatment. Others focus on care, quality of life, and support for care partners. Together, they contribute to a better understanding of dementia and help build the evidence needed to improve care and support across Canada.
Meet the 2025-2026 ASRP grant recipients
Bradley Buchsbaum, University of Toronto
Drawing Meaning: AI‑Enhanced Annotation and Cognitive Feature Extraction from Clock Drawing TestsMahsa Dadar, Centre de recherche de l’hôpital Douglas/Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Understanding the impact of socioeconomic inequities, social support, and cognitive resilience in Alzheimer’s DiseaseAravind Ganesh, University of Calgary
Remote ischemic conditioning to mitigate neurodegeneration in Alzheimer DiseaseZahra Jafari, Dalhousie University
An Inclusive Approach Towards Developing Biomarkers of Subjective Cognitive Decline and Progression to DementiaMaryam Faiz, University of Toronto
Building humanized brain models for the study of direct lineage reprogramming in Alzheimer's diseaseSatyabrata Kar, University of Alberta
Significance of native PEG-PLGA nanoparticles in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease pathologyAshwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, McMaster University
Dysphagia Cooking Club: Creating Safe and Culturally Meaningful Meals for People Living with Dementia and Their CaregiversSigny Sheldon, McGill University
Music-Based Interventions to Engage Memory in Individuals Living with DementiaNewman Sze, Brock University
Restoring Cerebrovascular Health in Alzheimer’s Disease by Targeting Molecular Damage in the Neurovascular UnitLisa Topolnik, Université Laval
Restoring Hippocampal Disinhibition to Reverse Early Memory Deficits in Alzheimer’s DiseaseJeremy Walsh, McMaster University
Fuel for Thoughts: The effect of exercise and ketone supplementation on brain and muscle function in subjective cognitive decline
Funding acknowledgment
These Alzheimer's Society Research Program grants are made possible through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada, and the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.