Skip to main content

2026 Rising Stars Trainee Awards

Announcements

Brain Canada is excited to announce the 2026 Rising Stars Trainee Awards. Trainees are the learners of today and the leaders of tomorrow and we are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers to help ensure the success of the Canadian brain research ecosystem.

"At Brain Canada, we believe that investing in trainees is essential to advancing discovery and innovation in brain research. Through the Rising Stars Trainee Awards program, we are proud to support emerging researchers whose curiosity, dedication, and ideas will help shape the future of neuroscience in Canada and beyond.” 

- Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada

This program aims to recognize the excellent research being conducted at Canadian institutions by graduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D.), postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents in all fields spanning neuroscience research. With the goal of helping trainees launch their academic careers and pursue their professional goals, the Rising Stars Trainee Awards aim to broaden the funding opportunities available to trainees and support their efforts to impact the future of brain research.  

This year, Brain Canada is offering five award opportunities to trainees across Canada.   

Stipend Award Opportunities  

Rising Stars Awards in ALS Research  

These awards are made possible with support from Linda Auger Morissette and Friendsin honour of Pierre Auger Morissette; Naomi Azrieli, François Blanc and Family in memory of Madeleine Blanc; Allan Kliger, Aviva Rajsky & Family who lovingly power the Olivier Goy Rising Star Trainee Award in ALS Research; and Wendy Clarke. 

  • Specific award eligibility: Eligible trainees must be conducting research in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 

  • Amount of award: $10,000 CAD per award for one year, non-renewable.  

  • Anticipated number of awards: Up to six (6) awards.  

Rising Stars Award in Mental Health Research, in memory of Vivian Distler   

These awards are made possible with support from Naomi Azrieli, O.C.; and the Jackman Foundation. 

  • Specific award eligibility: Eligible trainees must be conducting research on the neuroscience of mental illnesses and disorders. More specifically, they must be examining the fundamental mechanisms of mental illnesses and disorders in such a way that will enhance our knowledge on the  nature, onset, and/or progression. Mental illness and disorders include, but are not limited to, substance use disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia 

  • Amount of award: $10,000 CAD per award for one year, non-renewable.  

  • Anticipated number of awards: Up to seven (7) awards.  

Rising Stars Award in Brain Cancer Research  

These awards are made possible with support from the Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation.  

  • Specific award eligibility: Eligible trainees must be conducting brain-related research in the field of brain cancer, with a focus on glioblastoma. 

  • Amount of award: $10,000 CAD per award for one year, non-renewable.  

  • Anticipated number of awards: Up to two (2) awards.  

Rising Stars Award in Aging and Neurodegeneration  

These awards are made possible with support from the Reciprocity Foundation; The Mireille and Murray Steinberg Family Foundation; and Jane McCulloch. 

  • Specific award eligibility: Eligible trainees must be conducting research in the field of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In alignment with the One Brain approach, which emphasizes how breakthroughs in one area can unlock insights across other conditions, trainees are encouraged to focus on aging-related mechanisms and factors that influence the risk, onset, and/or progression of PD (e.g., neuroinflammation, metabolism, comorbidities, etc.), including mechanisms and factors implicated in other neurological diseases that may provide insight into neurodegeneration. 

  • Amount of award: $10,000 CAD per award for one year, non-renewable.  

  • Anticipated number of awards: Up to four (4) awards.  

Please note that up to nine (9) top-ups for sex and/or gender considerations in brain research may be awarded to successful stipend award applicants whose research considers sex- and/or gender-related factors and intersections.   

Travel Award Opportunities  

Dr. Hubert van Tol Travel Fellowship   

The Dr. Hubert van Tol Travel Fellowship was created in memory of neuroscientist Dr. Hubert van Tol and is funded by the generous support of the Seger-van Tol family and Brain Canada.  

  • Specific award eligibility: Interested applicants are invited to consult the Request for Applications to learn more about the specific award eligibility of this travel award opportunity. 

  • Amount of award: Up to $2,500 CAD per award, non-renewable.  

  • Anticipated number of awards: Up to six (6) awards.