Momentum Grants program awards funding for bold brain research

Brain Canada is proud to announce the five recipients of the Momentum Grants, a new program that enables researchers to build upon their previously funded Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research  projects. This additional funding will allow recipients to explore new dimensions of their work with the potential to generate breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain and translate them into real-world benefits for individuals affected by brain diseases and disorders.

The Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Program, which is anchored by a generous gift from the Azrieli Foundation, provides funding to early-career researchers to build a foundation of research excellence and innovation in Canada.

Meet the 2023 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research.

“Our commitment to this funding is crucial in helping researchers maintain and accelerate their work, ensuring they can build on the momentum created by their initial seed funding.” – Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.

Brain Canada’s $1,000,000 investment through this program supports bold ideas that advance neuroscience research in Canada and around the world.

“This initiative nurtures collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of interdisciplinary methods to address the most urgent challenges in brain research,” says Dr. Naomi Azrieli, Brain Canada Chair.

The Momentum Grants competition was open to applicants who had previously been awarded either an Azrieli Foundation-Brain Canada Early-Career Capacity Building Grant or a Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Grant.

5 Momentum Grant recipients:

• Dr. Annie Ciernia, The University of British Columbia, 2021 Arrell Family Foundation Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research

• Dr. Michèle Desjardins, Université Laval, 2021 Azrieli Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research

• Dr. Mark Cembrowski, The University of British Columbia, 2019 Azrieli Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research

• Dr. Mark Brandon, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 2019 Azrieli Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research

• Dr. Stuart Trenholm, McGill University, 2018 Azrieli Foundation- Brain Canada Early-Career Capacity Building Grant recipient

This program has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada), Brain Canada Foundation, and the Hewitt Foundation.