BRC Grants
In 2013, we introduced funding for Knowledge Translation (KT), Research Dissemination & Commercialization (RD&C), and Discovery (D). Since then, we have awarded $270,000, which in addition to funding specific research projects, has leveraged additional funds by those researchers in excess of $3 million. In late 2022, the KT grant program was modified and renamed as the Innovation Grant program.
Innovation Grants (formerly KT grants)
The Brain Repair Centre BRC‑Innovation Grant Program is intended to enhance the BRC’s mission to improve brain and neurological health outcomes for Nova Scotians and elsewhere. The BRC‑Innovation programme is designed to support new research discoveries that will have broader impact outside the immediate research/academic community. It is designed to move discoveries and inventions along the path to commercialization — with a view to attract new investment, create new neuroscience-based businesses, organizations and initiatives and to improve neurological health outcomes for Nova Scotians and Canadians. It provides funding for example, for proof-of-principle, pre-commercialization research projects, market research.
Click here to view the 2026 Call for Submissions. Closing date for submissions is JANUARY 15th 2026.
Link to past KT/Innovation Grant program recipients.
List of Publications associated with BRC innovation Grants (coming soon).
Research Dissemination & Commercialization (RD&C) Grants
The RD&C Grant Program supports events and meetings that are international in nature, that contribute to the dissemination, exchange and commercialization of research aimed at improving brain and neurological health outcomes for Nova Scotians and Canadians.
Click here for a list of RD&C Grant program recipients.
*2026 Call for Submissions is open. Contact Eleanor for info. click here for details.
Discovery Grants
The Brain Repair Centre Discovery (BRC-D) Grant was designed to stimulate creative ideas and innovative research projects with the potential to generate important new discoveries. Funding was provided by the QEII Foundation in 2016 to allow successful applicants to pursue answers to clinically-relevant neuroscience questions so that findings may be applied to improve brain health and neurological outcomes for Nova Scotians and Canadians.
In order for future Discovery Grants to be awarded, the BRC requires funding or sponsorship. For more information about how you can support the future of the BRC-D Grant Program, contact Eleanor Seaman-Bolton.
2022 DMRF Graduate Studentships for Medical Neuroscience Research
The 2022 DMRF Graduate Studentships for Medical Neuroscience Research were awarded to support trainees in the Brain Repair Centre in pursuit of a MSc or PhD degree, whose research falls under the umbrella of neuroscience. Candidates were expected to show high potential for future research achievement and productivity. Funding was made possible by DMRF and five trainees received awards starting in September 2022.
Other Grants (non-BRC)
Research Nova Scotia Ear to the Ground (E2G)
E2G supports early-stage and higher-risk research and development by providing funding needed to move ideas toward implementation. Each project must demonstrate a clear path to practical impact, ensuring research leads to measurable economic benefits for Nova Scotia. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2026.
Eligibility
This funding round is open to high-impact research projects that that fall within our three priority sectors, as follows:
Natural resources, climate change and clean energy;
life sciences and health sciences
construction and transportation
Assessing for Impact
RNS is helping build a future where research supports tangible outcomes and economic growth for Nova Scotia. To this end, every project funded through our E2G funding rounds must demonstrate a clear line of sight to impact.
Eligible projects will describe this clear path to the economic outcomes defined by the provincial government, and will be evaluated not only on scientific merit but also on how well they address the following seven key outcomes:
Increase technology development, uptake and use
Increase knowledge and innovation diffusion into industry
Increase investment in tradable sectors and expansion of exports
Enhance commercialization of research, including retention and deployment of Nova Scotia intellectual property (IP) in the province.
Increase the number of highly qualified personnel (HQP) employed in NS
Increase investment in research and development in key sectors
Increase provincial GDP
Application Process
Eligible researchers can now apply to E2G through Jura, our online portal. Deadline for applications is January 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm (AST).
Short-listed projects will be invited to pitch to the RNS team beginning in mid-February 2026.
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 Turnbull-Tator Award aims to recognize 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, 2023 to September 30, 2025) with a $50,000 CAD prize. Brain Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund, and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research will each contribute $25,000.
Recognizing the important need to build capacity in these fields, the funds awarded through the 2025 Turnbull-Tator Award must be utilized to support the salary / stipend of full-time graduate student(s) (M.Sc., Ph.D.) or postdoctoral fellow(s) conducting research in the recipient’s laboratory and contributing 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: January 9, 2026 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.
Research Network of Excellence in Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health
Brain Canada and Heart & Stroke are pleased to launch the 2026 Research Network of Excellence in Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health. The third Research Network of Excellence in Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health, is focused on rehabilitation and recovery following acute heart-brain health events such as stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest.
Women recovering from heart-brain events—such as stroke, heart attack, or cardiac arrest—often encounter delays in accessing rehabilitation, lower referral rates, and reduced participation in recovery program compared to men. These inequities are further compounded by social determinants of health, including income, geography, ethnicity, disability, and caregiving responsibilities, which can limit access to culturally safe, gender-responsive care.
The network will receive $5 million over five years to establish a Canada-wide collaboration of researchers. Its priority is to improve access to heart-brain rehabilitation and recovery programs for women, using a whole-person approach that considers physiological, psychological, emotional, social, and environmental factors. The launch of this funding opportunity marks a continued commitment to addressing systemic inequities in women’s health and driving forward research that leads to change.
Please refer to the Request for Applications for additional details
Deadline for receipt of Registration : January 15, 2026 15:00 ET
Deadline for receipt of Full Application : April 9, 2026 15:00 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.
2025 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program
Brain Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program, which supports early-career researchers as they pursue bold, new ideas to solve the mysteries of the brain.
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 2025 competition will support up to 20 grants of $100,000 each, over two years.
*Brain Canada has implemented an extended eligibility window, in line with federal granting agencies, to account for the delays to research caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For full 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. BrainCanada 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 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET
Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: Febuary 20, 2026 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.
Lilly George Travel Award
In honour of Mrs. Lily George, this award will assist budding neuroscientists, who are senior level Dalhousie undergraduates in neuroscience, psychology, or biochemistry by providing funding to travel to a brain-related science conference in Canada or the USA. The award can be used for, but not limited to, the cost of registration, transport, accommodation, and food in accordance with department criteria.
The recipient will have demonstrated research excellence, intellectual, curiosity, originality, and rigor, and will show promise to become an independent researcher. Furthermore, the recipient should be a good communicator, both in oral settings and in written work, and should value cooperation and collegial interaction.
The next call for applications will be in the Spring of 2026.
