The future of ALS research 

The ALS Society of Canada and Brain Canada select latest Career Transition Award to support innovative ALS research 

The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada are investing in the future of innovative scientists who are changing the landscape of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and treatments in Canada. Together they are contributing a total of $250,000 to support the 2022 Career Transition Award recipient, Philip McGoldrick, an exciting emerging talent at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto. This award has the long-term goal of developing the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences and advancing knowledge generation and translation in ALS. 

The Career Transition Award helps launch a superstar young scientist into an independent career focused on ALS research at a Canadian university. The recipients of this award ultimately become the leaders of tomorrow in the Canadian ALS research community and their impact on the disease in the years ahead will be far more than just their scientific discoveries. What a privilege it is for ALS Canada to support Dr. McGoldrick and we look forward to working with him for a long time.”  

Dr. David Taylor, Vice-President of Research & Strategic Partnerships, ALS Canada

To date, the ALS Canada – Brain Canada partnership has resulted in more than a $25 million investment in a wide range of research projects that have helped further the study of the disease.

To achieve the mission of the Career Transition Award, ALS Canada and Brain Canada are supporting a talented young scientist for up to three years to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution. The funding of the Award follows a competitive peer-review process, in which ALS experts consider the merit of the applicant, the quality of the project, and the potential to advance the field of ALS research.

Brain Canada is proud to fund high-quality Canadian ALS research and support the next generation of neuroscientists who strive to increase our understanding of rare brain disease. This transformative program and partnership with ALS Canada has the potential to inspire new discoveries and approaches, with the ultimate goal of a future without ALS.”

Brain Canada President and CEO, Dr. Viviane Poupon

Summary of the 2022 Career Transition Award 

A new way to look at the most common genetic form of ALS 

Dr. Philip McGoldrick at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, awarded $250,000  

The Career Transition Award competition is funded through matched funds contributed by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).  

The CBRF is an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, which increases Canadians’ support for brain research and expands the philanthropic space for funding brain research to achieve maximum impact. To date, Health Canada has invested more than $145 million in brain research through the CBRF which has been matched by Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners. 

About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research Program   

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