Current Funding Opportunities

2024 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research

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

Brain Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 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 seven* years of starting their first independent research position, the 2024 competition will support up to 20 grants of $100,000 over two years.  

*New: Brain Canada is implementing an extended eligibility window, in line with federal granting agencies, to account for delays to research caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligibility details please refer to the Request for 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.

Deadline for receipt of Letter of Intent: December 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET 

Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: March 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. 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) and Brain Canada Foundation, designed to increase support of brain research on behalf of Canadians, and maximize the impact and efficiency of those investments. The Fund supports the very best Canadian neuroscience, fostering collaborative research and accelerating the pace of discovery, in order to improve the health and quality of life of those who suffer from brain disorders.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF LETTER OF INTENT:

December 2, 2024

05:00 pm ET

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF FULL APPLICATIONS:

March 14, 2025

05:00 pm ET

Personnel Awards for Black Scholars

Brain Canada and Heart & Stroke are pleased to launch the 2025/26 Personnel Awards for Black Scholars

The objective of the competition is to increase the number of highly-qualified Black trainees across Canada committed to working in the fields of heart and/or brain research.

In the context of this award, heart and/or brain health research encompasses research addressing conditions, including neurological, that affect the cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular health of people living in Canada. This could include research focused on prevention, treatment, and/or recovery related to heart conditions, stroke, vascular cognitive impairment, and mental health in relation to these conditions. 

2025/26 Master’s Personnel Awards for Black Scholars 

Brain Canada and Heart & Stroke are supporting the Master’s Personnel Awards for Black Scholars with a commitment of up to a total of $270,000.

The stipends awarded will be up to $54,000 CAD ($27,000 per year for up to two (2) years) enabling Black trainees to focus on their Master’s research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.

Click here to view the Submission Guidelines.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: March 20, 2025 16:00 ET 

2025/26 Doctoral Personnel Awards for Black Scholars 

Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada are supporting the Doctoral Personnel Awards for Black Scholars with a commitment of up to a total of $480,000.

The stipends awarded will be up to $120,000 CAD ($40,000 per year for up to three (3) years) enabling Black trainees to focus on their Doctoral research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.

Click here to view the Submission Guidelines.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: March 20, 2025 16:00 ET

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.

Should you have any questions, please contact research@heartandstroke.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 Heart & Stroke.

Deadline for receipt of Applications

March 20, 2025

04:00 pm ET

 Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars

Brain Canada and Heart & Stroke are pleased to announce the launch of the 2025/26 Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars.

The objective of the competition is to increase the number of highly-qualified Indigenous trainees across Canada committed to working in the fields of heart and/or brain research.

In the context of this award, heart and/or brain health research encompasses research addressing conditions, including neurological, that affect the cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular health of people living in Canada. This could include research focused on prevention, treatment, and/or recovery related to heart conditions, stroke, vascular cognitive impairment, and mental health in relation to these conditions.

2025/26 Master’s Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars
Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada are supporting the 2025/26 Master’s Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars in committing up to a total of $270,000.

The stipends awarded will be up to $54,000 CAD ($27,000 per year for up to two (2) years) enabling Indigenous trainees to focus on their Master’s research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.

Click here to view the submission guidelines.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: March 20, 2025 at 16:00 ET

2025/26 Doctoral Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars
Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada are supporting the 2025/26 Doctoral Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars in committing up to a total of $480,000.

The stipends awarded will be up to $120,000 CAD ($40,000 per year for up to three (3) years) enabling Indigenous trainees to focus on their Doctoral research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.

Click here to view the submission guidelines.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: March 20, 2025 at 16:00 ET

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. For more information please contact: research@heartandstroke.ca

Deadline for receipt of Applications

March 20, 2025

04:00 pm ET

2024-2025 Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) competition 

Together with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC), Brain Canada is excited to announce the launch of the 2024-2025 Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) competition. 

The ASRP provides grants and awards to support research in Canada that promises new insights into causes, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Brain Canada and ASC will be co-funding the following grants:  

  • 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 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.

Read the full ASRP guidelines here.

Results will be announced in the spring of 2025, and funding will be dispersed starting in the summer of 2025.

Application Deadline: November 4, 2024, 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 24th, 2024, and only applicants who were invited to submit a Full Application are eligible to do so at this stage.  

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.

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.

Full application due.

November 4, 2024

05:00 pm ET

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Alzheimer Society of Canada – Brain Canada Knowledge Translation and Exchange Accelerator Grants

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

Brain Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Canada are pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) Accelerator Grants!  

The purpose of the KTE Accelerator Grant program is to help accelerate the dissemination of scientific findings on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to various audiences beyond academic researchers.

KTE Accelerator Grants are designed to stimulate innovative and outside-the-box ideas that ensure research translates into implementation and eventually, impact. These grants provide researchers and trainees with the funding needed to develop KTE products relevant to their work in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Brain Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Canada have allocated $200,000 CAD to this program. Total grant amounts are flexible to accommodate the needs required to produce a range of KTE products, but the minimum budget allowed is $5,000 CAD and the total budget cannot surpass $100,000 CAD.

Who can apply? 

  • Current and past Alzheimer Society Research Program grant and award recipients
  • Current and past recipients of a Brain Canada funded grant focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research
  • Principal Investigators that are current members of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)

How to apply 

Click here to view the Request for Applications.

Click here to view the Application Requirements.

Application deadline: August 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EDT 

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

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 the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Application deadline

August 9, 2024

05:00 pm ET

ALS Canada-Brain Canada Career Transition Award 2024

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

Brain Canada and the ALS Society of Canada are delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Career Transition Award. This program will identify and engage rising stars pursuing innovative research in labs and academic institutions in Canada. This 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. 

Brain Canada and ALS Canada will provide a three-year award to support a talented young investigator to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution. Successful candidates will expand their research horizons and develop independence to become a leader in the field, setting them apart from their mentor(s).

The award will be for up to three 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 19, 2024 (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 19, 2024

01:00 pm ET

Platform Support Grants (PSG)

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

High-impact research in neuroscience and mental health has always required skill, imagination, determination, and insight. Platforms also play a critical role in fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As such, access to platforms is essential to address the evolving needs of research.

Brain Canada has identified support for research platforms as a gap in the neuroscience research funding environment and the Platform Support Grants (PSG) program aims to continue addressing this critical gap.

Brain Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund, has allocated $13 million dollars of federal funding to the 2024 Platform Support Grants program, to be matched by funding provided by sponsors secured by applicants for a total possible funding envelope of $26 million dollars. With this sponsored PSG funding opportunity, Brain Canada aims to assist sponsoring organizations, agencies, institutions, and individuals who wish to build capacity and develop or enhance research platforms in specific thematic and/or geographic areas.

The Platform Support Grants program supports major research platforms at a local, regional, or national scale with the goal of providing enhanced technical and research capabilities to multiple investigators in the neurosciences. Through the 2024 Platform Support Grants program, researchers can apply for funding through one of two streams.

Stream 1

Will support platforms that are in development or already existing but that have never been funded through Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program.

Stream 2

Will support platforms that have previously received funding through Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program.

Grants will be over three and a half (3.5) years, including a six (6) month administrative period; non-renewable. Total grant amounts are flexible to accommodate the needs of each platform. Historically, research grants awarded through the PSG program have ranged from $138,000 – $6.1 million (including matching funds) across the grant duration.

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.

For more information on the Platform Support Grants program, please consult the Request for Applications.

Deadline for receipt of Registration Forms: July 24, 2024 at 17:00 EST

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications: September 20, 2024 at 17:00 EST

Should you have any questions, please contact platformgrant@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) and Brain Canada Foundation.

Deadline for receipt of Registration Forms:

July 24, 2024

05:00 pm ET

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications:

September 20, 2024

05:00 pm ET

Brain Canada-CQDM 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 once again 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, 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 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME).

The project’s budget must be between $500,000 and $2 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: August 8, 2024 

Deadline for receipt of Applications: August 15, 2024 at 17:00 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 CQDM.

Deadline to notify CQDM of intent to apply:

August 8, 2024

12:00 am ET

Deadline for receipt of Applications:

August 15, 2024

05:00 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.