2021 research call for Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants

This new funding opportunity enables capacity building and cost-effective means of accessing cutting-edge research equipment, technology, and services

Brain Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2021 Platform Support Grants. Research in the neurosciences has always required a combination of skill, imagination, conviction, and insight. Increasingly, research also requires access to biobanks, clinical trial networks, drug discovery platforms, and shared facilities and equipment. These elements, collectively referred to as “platforms”, play a critical role in fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As such, access to platforms is imperative to address the evolving needs of high-impact research.

Through the Platform Support Grants, Brain Canada continues to fill a critical gap in funding as it pertains to the development, operation, and maintenance of research platforms. Open to investigators working in neuroscience research, this program will support new and/or existing major platforms that are accelerating research, providing access to specialized technology, and creating new data pools. This year, Brain Canada has allocated $15 million dollars to the Platform Support Grants program, to be matched by funding provided by sponsors secured by applicants.

Specific to the Platform Support Grants is the opportunity for organizations, agencies, institutions, industry partners, and more to join Brain Canada in supporting capacity-building and research development by committing to provide 50% of the total funds requested from a research team. Historically, grants awarded through the PSG program have ranged from $138,000 – $6.1 million (including sponsor contributions) across three years.

“Many brains are better than one,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President and CEO. “When we work together to invest in platforms that facilitate innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, we are convening experts across fields and enabling science to move a lot quicker.”

This funding opportunity has been made possible with the financial support of Health Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada.

Please refer to the Request for Applications for additional details.