Current Funding Opportunities

2025 Translational Research Grants in Brain Cancer 

View the Request for Applications to learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.

Brain Canada is teaming up with the Cancer Research Society and the Kindred Foundation to launch a national program to fund translational research that advances effective translation and application of knowledge of brain cancer across the expanse of pre-clinical, clinical and health services delivery domains to improve patient outcomes.

Though treatment options for brain cancer are available, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, and several novel therapies are currently being developed, more research is needed to improve these techniques and discover more options. The diversity of brain tumours introduces an additional level of complexity to finding effective treatments. 

Projects should develop new translational solutions aimed at new approaches, diagnostics and novel modalities that:  

  • Advance our understanding of mechanisms that lead to brain cancer 
  • Create or test novel technologies, machine learning and artificial intelligence that improve brain cancer diagnosis and treatment 
  • Apply innovative solutions to target brain tumors at primary, metastatic and/or relapsed stage 
  • Develop or refine precision medicine solutions to make better treatment decisions for patients 
  • Proposals studying all brain cancers are eligible, and we encourage applications from teams studying rare brain cancers to apply. 

This competition has an overall envelope of $2,000,000 CAD to support up to two grants of $1,000,000 CAD each, over up to three years, funded by Brain Canada and Cancer Research Society.

An additional grant may be awarded to a research proposal focused on pediatric and young adult diffuse low-grade glioma, should such a proposal be ranked in the top three. This grant would be funded in collaboration between Brain Canada, Cancer Research Society, and Kindred Foundation.

 

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation and creativity. Brain Canada, Cancer Research Society, and Kindred Foundation are committed to excellence through equity, and we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities. 

Deadline for Receipt of the Registration Form: May 8, 2025 at 17:00 ET 

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: June 23, 2025 at 17:00 ET 

Deadline for Receipt of the Registration Form

May 8, 2025

05:00 pm ET

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications

June 23, 2025

05:00 pm ET

Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain

View the Request for Applications to learn more about this program and how to apply.

Brain Canada and CQDM are joining forces to support interprovincial collaborative biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D) projects on the brain. This partnership creates a unique funding opportunity that brings together experts from academia and industry to support the development of platforms, tools and biopharmaceuticals that will pave the way for new advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

This award is intended for research teams with a minimum of two independent researchers, including a principal investigator from a research institution in Quebec and an independent researcher from a research institution in another Canadian province. They must work in close collaboration with at least one Quebec enterprise (SME).   

The project’s budget must be between $500,000 and $1 million.  

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 to notify CQDM of intent to apply: May 21, 2025 

 

Deadline for receipt of Applications: May 28, 2025, at 17:00 ET 

Full Application deadline:

May 28, 2025

05:00 pm ET

Deadline to notify CQDM of intent to apply:

May 21, 2025

04:00 pm ET

2025 Huntington Society of Canada – Brain Canada Navigator Research Program

View the Terms of Reference to learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.

Brain Canada, the Huntington Society of Canada (HSC), and the River Philip Foundation are pleased to announce a new investment of $1.2M in Huntington disease research. 

Huntington disease, or HD, is a genetic brain disorder with physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. HD is often described as having elements of Parkinson disease, ALS, Alzheimer disease, and schizophrenia, all at the same time. One in every 7,000 Canadians has Huntington disease and approximately one in every 5,500 is at risk for developing the disease.  

“This funding will allow us to greenlight the most promising Huntington disease research projects in the country, supporting up to eight Navigator awards over the next three years,” says Shelly Redman, CEO of HSC. “We are so grateful to Brain Canada and the River Philip Foundation for their generous support. We are working together to achieve a world free from Huntington disease.” 

 

The River Philip Foundation has committed $600,000, which has been matched by Brain Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF). This totals $1.2 million, translating into four two-year Navigator projects per year in 2025 and 2026.  

 

HSC’s Navigator Research Program is designed to provide funding for Canadian scientific research of direct and immediate relevance to Huntington disease. 

 

“We are committed to working toward a better future for those impacted by Huntington disease. The aim of this research program is to develop treatments that can prevent, or slow, and one day perhaps even reverse the progression of this disease. By partnering with the Huntington Society of Canada and The River Philip Foundation, we are proud to contribute to these vital solutions.”
– Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada 

Deadline for Letter Of Intent : April 30, 2025 at 17:00 ET

Deadline for receipt of  Full Applications: June  4, 2025 at  15:00 ET

Send Letters of Intent and applications to: research@huntingtonsociety.ca

Questions may be directed to: research@huntingtonsociety.ca

Deadline for Receipt of Lettter of Intent

April 30, 2025

05:00 pm ET

Deadline for receipt of  Full Applications

June 4, 2025

03:00 pm ET

Recently Closed Competitions

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2025 Huntington Society of Canada – Brain Canada Undergraduate Student Summer Fellowship

View the Request for Applications to learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.

Brain Canada in partnership with the Huntington Society of Canada are working to attract the brightest young scientists into the field of Huntington disease (HD) research and to facilitate meaningful HD research to clarify the biological mechanisms underlying HD pathology.  

In support of these goals, we are eager to announce the launch of the 2025 Undergraduate Student Summer Fellowship. These 8 fellowships will support undergraduate university students across Canada in pursuing research projects aimed at developing a better understanding of Huntington disease.  

This funding is intended to support research projects that are focused and achievable in a short timeframe, yet helpful in guiding future research in Huntington disease. 

In order to be eligible for this funding, projects must take place over a 12-week period between May and September, and undergraduate students must be working under the supervision of a Huntington disease researcher with a faculty position.  

 

 Deadline to submit Applications : April 11, 2025, 5pm ET 

Send completed applications and any questions to: research@huntingtonsociety.ca 

View the request for Applications: here  

The application form is available at https://www.huntingtonsociety.ca/student-fellowship/

 

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

April 11, 2025

05:00 pm ET

ALS Canada-Brain Canada Trainee Program 2025

View the Terms of Reference to learn more about this program and how to apply.

Brain Canada is delighted to announce its collaboration with the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) to launch the ALS Canada-Brain Canada Trainee Program 2025.  

Both Brain Canada and ALS Canada believe that attracting the brightest young minds to ALS research will contribute to a succession plan for the Canadian ALS research community and will support compelling breakthroughs across the spectrum of brain-related disease.

A $315,000 pool of funds will be available for this program. Each Doctoral Award would be funded at $25,000 per year for up to three years, and each Postdoctoral Fellowship would be funded at $55,000 per year for up to three years. The funds awarded through this fellowship will be utilized to support the stipend/salary of the awardee(s).

All applicants should have demonstrated contributions to research which may or may not have related directly to ALS, but proposed future research and training must be ALS-related.

Doctoral Scheme

At the time of application, eligible trainees have applied to, been accepted for, or are within the first three years of a PhD program under the supervision of an investigator who holds an academic position at qualifying Canadian institution, defined according to CIHR guidelines.

Postdoctoral Scheme

Qualifying trainees currently hold or have secured a postdoctoral position under the supervision of an investigator who holds an academic position at a qualifying Canadian institution, defined according to CIHR guidelines.

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.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: April 2, 2025 at 13:00 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 Applications:

April 2, 2025

01:00 pm ET

EU JPND 2025 Research Call on Health and Social Care Research focusing on the moderate and late stages of neurodegenerative diseases.

View the JPND Call for Proposals to learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply

Brain Canada is partnering with CIHR Institute of Aging to support the EU Joint-Programme Neurodegenerative Disease (JPND) 2025 Research Call: Health and Social Care Research focusing on the moderate and late stages of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating conditions that lead to the progressive degeneration and death of nerve cells. Their likelihood increases dramatically with age. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are more than 50 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the most common class of neurodegenerative diseases. This figure is expected to double every 20 years as the population ages.

This initiative aims to improve the well-being and social inclusion of individuals affected by these diseases through social sciences and humanities research. The research will address factors impacting social participation, dignity, and the development of accessible support systems.

Pre-proposal deadline

March 4, 2025

06:00 am ET

ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship 2025

View the Terms of Reference to learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.

Brain Canada and the ALS Society of Canada are happy to announce the launch of the 2025 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship!

Specialized training of early career MDs in both clinical care and research skills related to ALS is crucial for building better clinical infrastructure across Canada. This fellowship is designed to support the further training of a clinician to develop the skills necessary to be a specialist in ALS and provide experience/training in clinical or basic research relevant to the field.

One fellowship of up to $200,000 CAD total is available for up to two years. A one-year fellowship of $100,000 CAD may be requested provided appropriate justification is included.

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 Terms of Reference.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications: February 21, 2025 13:00 ET

Complete applications should be submitted via email to the ALS Canada Research Team (research@als.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) and Brain Canada Foundation, and the ALS Society of Canada.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications:

February 21, 2025

01:00 pm ET

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.