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)
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