Supporting research excellence through funding and grant opportunities.
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 BRC Innovation Grant Program 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 for a list of KT/Innovation Grant program recipients.
List of Publications associated with BRC innovation Grants (coming soon).
*2025 Call for Submissions is now closed.
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.
*2025 Call for Submissions is now closed.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.
Lilly George Travel Award (Launched January 2024)
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.
Call for 2025 applications is coming soon.
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)
ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant Program 2025
Brain Canada and the ALS Society of Canada are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 Discovery Grant Program.The purpose of the 2025 Discovery Grant Program is to invest in high-impact projects focused on identifying causes of, or treatments for, ALS and/or related neurological diseases, including primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, and ALS/FTLD (frontotemporal lobar dementia) or advancing research aimed at maximizing function, minimizing disability, and optimizing quality of life through symptom management and support for individuals or families living with ALS.
Examples include, but are not limited to, management of secretions and cramps, psychological interventions to address mental health issues, nutritional interventions, respiratory care, engineering applications to reduce physical limitations, and programs to address the needs of caregivers. These priorities align with ALS Canada's vision of "A world free of ALS" and its strategic goal of leading Canada’s contribution to global ALS research.
The Discovery Grant Program supports collaborative projects and encourages multidisciplinary teams, particularly those that bring together individuals from outside the field who can combine their expertise in innovative ways. It also aims to provide successful, preliminary data-driven ideas with opportunities for larger, multi-year funding, ideally leading to translational programs that will bring us closer to a world free of ALS.
The Discovery Grant Program consists of two streams, designed to support a modest pipeline of ideas and further development. A total funding pool of $1,500,000 will be utilized with flexible allocation across these streams. The distribution of grants between the two streams will depend on the quality of applications and the results of peer review. Both streams seek innovative research approaches, supported by sound rationale and a feasible experimental plan.
The Seed Grant (Stream 1) is designed to nurture novel ideas by providing support for obtaining preliminary data or pursuing ideas supported by early data signals. Although preliminary data may enhance competitiveness, it is not necessarily required. Applicants may request $125,000 for research projects over a two-year period. This stream emphasizes high-risk, high-reward research. Projects initially funded through the Seed Grant stream that generate promising preliminary data may serve as a foundation for future applications to the Development Grant stream.
The Development Grant (Stream 2) aims to support projects that build on a strong foundation of preliminary data, driving towards eventual translation to human impact. Given the highly competitive and underfunded nature of federal multi-year operating grants in Canada, prioritizing ALS within a single lab or clinical research strategy can be challenging. Applicants may request $500,000 for research projects over a three-year period. These grants are designed to support teams with a collaborative and translational vision, contributing to long-term progress in the field.
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: July 9, 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.
Brain Canada Rising Stars Trainee Awards
Brain Canada is excited to announce the 2025 Rising Stars Trainee Awards. Trainees are the learners of today and the leaders of tomorrow and we are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers to help ensure the success of the Canadian brain research ecosystem.
This program aims to recognize the excellent research being conducted at Canadian institutions by graduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D.), postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents in all fields spanning neuroscience research. With the goal of helping trainees launch their academic careers and pursue their professional goals, the Rising Stars Trainee Awards aim to broaden the funding opportunities available to trainees and support their efforts to impact the future of brain research.
This year, Brain Canada is offering five trainee award opportunities to graduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D.), postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents across Canada.
Brain Canada Rising Stars in ALS Research Award - Six (6) x $10,000
Brain Canada Next Gen Award in Parkinson’s Disease Research - Four (4) x $10,000
Rising Star Award in Mental Health Research, in memory of Vivian Distler - Two (2) x $10,000
Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC) Neuroscience Fellowship in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research - Two (2) x $10,000
Top-up for stipend awards: Sex and/or gender considerations in brain research Six (6) x $2,000
Dr. Hubert van Tol Travel Fellowship - Six (6) x Up to $2,500
For more information on the Brain Canada Rising Stars Trainee Awards, please consult the Request for Applications.
Deadline for receipt of applications: June 26th 2025 at 17:00 ET
Should you have any questions, please contact programs@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, and our donors and partners.
Brain Canada 2025 Translational Research Grants in Brain Cancer
Brain Canada is teaming up with the Cancer Research Society (CRS) and the Kindred Foundation to launch the 2025 Translational Research Grants in Brain Cancer. 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.
This funding program is intended to provide opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaborations between basic researchers and clinicians to translate research into novel approaches for the study, diagnosis and/or treatment of pediatric or adult brain cancer.
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.
Click here to view the Request for Applications.
Deadline for Receipt of the Registration Form: May 8, 2025 at 6pm AST
ORS Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: June 9, 2025 at 11:59pm AST
Funder Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: June 23, 2025 at 6pm AST
Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain
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 initiative is focused on brain research relevant to biopharmaceutical applications. The aim of the initiative is to increase research collaborations, foster technological maturation, and to promote the knowledge, capabilities and new technologies developed in public institutions.
Investigators must be affiliated with and conduct research at an eligible Canadian institution, as defined by CIHR, for the full duration of the grant.
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 small and medium-sized 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