Current Funding Opportunities

Turnbull-Tator Award in Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion Research

Brain Canada is delighted to continue its collaboration with the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research in our shared mission to advance research efforts that seek to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by spinal cord and brain injuries. 

The 2023 Turnbull-Tator Award aims to recognize a proposed research project and an outstanding publication by a researcher at a Canadian institution in the field of spinal cord and/or brain injury research, including concussion, in the last two years (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023) with a $50,000 CAD prize.

Recognizing the important need to build capacity in these fields, the funds awarded through the 2023 Turnbull-Tator Award must be utilized to support the salary / stipend of full-time graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in the recipient’s laboratory that will contribute to the proposed research project and to the continuation of the excellent research exemplified by the awarded publication.

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation are committed to excellence through equity and encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to this funding opportunity, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

Click here to view the Request for Applications.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications: December 20, 2023 at 17:00 EST

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 Barbara Turnbull Foundation.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications:

December 20, 2023

05:00 pm ET

2023 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research

Brain Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2023 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program. The purpose of the Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program is to accelerate novel and transformative research that will fundamentally change our understanding of nervous system function and dysfunction and their impact on health.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the social and economic burden of neurological and mental illnesses through prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. 

Open to early-career investigators within five years of starting their first independent research position, the 2023 competition has an overall funding envelope of $2,000,000 to support up to 20 grants of $100,000 over two years.  

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups. 

Click here to view the Request for Applications.  

Deadline for receipt of Letter of Intent: November 29, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET 

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: March 20, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET 

For more information, or if you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Brain Canada at futureleaders@braincanada.ca.   

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 Azrieli Foundation, with support from the Hewitt Foundation, The Erika Legacy Foundation, The Arrell Family Foundation, and the Alvin Segal Family Foundation. 

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF LETTER OF INTENT:

November 29, 2023

05:00 pm ET

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF FULL APPLICATIONS:

March 20, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Advancing Research on Care & Outcome Measurement 3.0 (ARCOM-3)

Brain Canada is pleased to be partnering with Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ) to launch the Advancing Research on Care & Outcome Measurement 3.0 (ARCOM-3) funding program, an international and collaborative competition aimed at addressing significant gaps in care and outcome measurement, and providing an opportunity to advance research so that care providers can ensure that they are implementing evidence-based practices and achieving desired outcomes. 

Areas of interest for this program include, but are not limited to, quality metrics, systems of care, translation of interventions, increasing diversity within research and clinical trials, risk reduction, development of novel methods of data collection or analysis, and novel measures to validate previously developed measures or evaluation of measures in diverse and underrepresented populations.

Through this partnership, Brain Canada will co-fund up to four Canadian-led teams. Each award is limited to USD $250,000 over a period of up to two years.

Click here to view the Request for Applications.

Deadline for receipt of Letters of Intent: 5:00 pm ET on September 20, 2023  

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications:  5:00 pm ET on November 29, 2023  

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

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 Alzheimer’s Association.

Deadline for receipt of Letters of Intent:

September 20, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications:

November 29, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury

It is estimated that approximately 165,000 people per year are affected by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Canada.

With the knowledge that stakeholder-informed research has the greatest potential for impact, Brain Canada undertook an extensive consultation process to understand the breadth of the needs of diverse stakeholders related to TBI and identify the top priorities that should be addressed first.  

Brain Canada, in collaboration with Brain Changes Initiative (BCI) has now launched the Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury funding opportunity to generate creative, novel and practical evidence-based solutions that address stakeholder-identified and prioritized needs, listed below, to improve the trajectory of recovery for individuals after brain injury.

An overall funding envelope of $1.4M will be available for this program to support three to four grants over two years. This funding opportunity is open to interdisciplinary research teams of two or more members and must include a minimum of two independent investigators.

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada and Brain Changes Initiative are committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

Click here to view the Request for Applications.

Registration Form Deadline: 17:00 ET on September 27, 2023

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications: 17:00 ET on January 25, 2024

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 Brain Changes Initiative (BCI).

Registration Form Deadline: 

September 27, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications:

January 25, 2024

05:00 pm ET

Recently Closed Competitions

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The Alzheimer Society Research Program 

Together with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC), Brain Canada is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2023-2024 Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) competition. The ASRP provides grants and awards to support Canadian research that promises new insights into causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. 

The grants available for co-funding by ASC and Brain Canada are:

  • New Investigator Operating Grants are designed to help launch the careers of outstanding researchers who are within the first six (6) years of their initial academic appointment. The ASRP will provide up to $200,000 for a period of up to four (4) years. Brain Canada Foundation will co-fund up to two (2) successful applications.
  • Proof of Concept Grants are designed to fund innovative, potentially high-risk, and high-reward research that pushes beyond the boundaries of our existing understanding of dementia. The ASRP will provide up to $100,000 for a period of up to three (3) years. Brain Canada Foundation will co-fund up to twelve (12) successful applications.

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

Click here to view the ASRP guidelines.

Results will be announced in late spring of 2024, and the earliest funding start date is July 1, 2024.

Application deadline: November 3rd, 2023, at 5:00 PM EST

Please note that applications to the Proof-of-Concept Grants were pre-screened through the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). The deadline to submit an LOI was July 17th, 2023 and only applicants who were invited to submit a Full Application are eligible to do so at this stage.

Should you have any questions, please contact research@alzheimer.ca

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 Alzheimer Society of Canada. To date, Health Canada has invested $200 million through the CBRF which has been matched by Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners.

Application deadline:

November 3, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Team Grants

Brain Canada along with Heart & Stroke, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH), and CIHR Institute of Genetics (IG) are excited to launch the Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Team Grants.  

This funding opportunity focuses on CHD throughout the lifespan in the context of the whole-person with consideration of Indigenous health and wellness and health equity. Research Teams will focus on one of three priority Research Areas: (1) Causes and Early Detection; (2) Brain Health & CHD; and (3) Care Transitions. 

The competition aims to bring together multi-institutional, interdisciplinary health research teams with multiple collaborators (e.g., researchers, clinicians, people with lived/living experience (PWLE), health care providers, Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers, government, policy makers, not-for-profit organizations, and industry) to create and mobilize knowledge that will improve the health and wellness of individuals living with CHD, their families and caregivers. 

Brain Canada together with Heart & Stroke, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) and CIHR Institute of Genetics (IG) are collectively committing to funding three (3) interdisciplinary Team Grants, with a total funding envelope of $5,250,000 CAD. The maximum amount per Team Grant is $350,000 CAD per year for a maximum of five (5) years. 

Click here to view the Request for Applications. 

Click here to view the Registration Form.  

Click here to download the Application Form.

Registration Form Deadline: 16:00 ET on September 15, 2023 

Application Form Deadline: 16:00 ET on November 15, 2023 

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups. 

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, Heart & Stroke and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH).  

Registration Form Deadline:

September 15, 2023

04:00 pm ET

Application Form Deadline:

November 15, 2023

04:00 pm ET

ALS Canada – Brain Canada Career Transition Award 2023

Brain Canada and the ALS Society of Canada are pleased to announce the launch of the 2023 Career Transition Award. This program will identify and engage rising stars pursuing innovative research in labs and academic institutions in Canada. The Career Transition Award has the long-term goal of developing the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences, contributing to knowledge generation and translation in ALS. 

ALS Canada and Brain Canada will provide a three (3) year award to support a talented young investigator to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution. The award will be for up to three (3) years for a total of $250,000 CAD. Each year, ALS Canada and Brain Canada will provide a $60,000 salary and $20,000 research allowance, with $30,000 for research allowance in year three. 

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups. 

Please refer to the Terms of Reference for additional details.

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: August 23, 2023 (1:00 pm ET) 

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 ALS Society of Canada.

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications:

August 23, 2023

01:00 pm ET

Addressing Mental Health in Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases Team Grants

Together with Cassie + Friends, Brain Canada is thrilled to launch the Addressing Mental Health in Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases Team Grants. This funding opportunity aims to support research that will improve our understanding of the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of mental illnesses in children and young adults aged 0 to 27 years with rheumatic diseases. 

Investing in mental health research within the paediatric rheumatic disease community is critical to improving the overall health and well-being of those living with these diseases.  

This funding opportunity is open to teams in Canada with at least one paediatric rheumatologist and one member with demonstrated research and/or clinical experience in the mental health field, with at least two distinct institutions in Canada represented on the team. A person with lived and/or living experience of paediatric rheumatic disease must be involved as a collaborator (including caregivers). Successful applications can receive $240,000 over two years. 

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. Brain Canada is committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups. 

Please note that this funding opportunity includes a Registration Form and a Full Application stage. 

Click here to view the Request for Applications for more details.

Click here to download the Registration Form.

Deadline to submit your Registration Form: July 26, 2023 17:00 ET 

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications: September 12, 2023 17:00 ET 

Should you have any questions, please contact mentalhealthgrants@braincanada.ca 

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 Cassie + Friends. To date, Health Canada has invested $200 million through the CBRF which has been matched by Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners. 

Deadline to submit your Registration Form:

July 26, 2023

05:00 pm ET

Student Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Fuelling tomorrow’s brilliant brain breakthroughs

Supporting the next generation of brain researchers as they explore their passion for science and innovation will lead to a better and more brilliant tomorrow for all. Brain Canada believes that by sponsoring events and activities that are designed to inspire young leaders to dream big, we will be one step closer to unlocking the secrets of the brain.

To be considered for support from Brain Canada, you must:

  • Be a registered student at a Canadian post-secondary institution
  • Demonstrate alignment with relevant themes such as brain research and/or neuroscience
  • Offer opportunities for Brain Canada’s presence (marketing, community engagement,
    participation etc.)
  • Submit your request a minimum of 30 days before the expected sponsorship

Click here to download the request form and apply today!

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Funding Alerts

By funding brain research, you are helping to transform cutting-edge ideas into better health outcomes for all people in Canada. To achieve maximum impact, Brain Canada leverages every dollar donated to brain research with matching government, partner, or donor funds.