Supporting research excellence through funding and grant opportunities.
BRC Grants
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.
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.
*Call for 2025 Submissions will open 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.
*Call for 2025 Submissions will open soon. - 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)
ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship 2025
Specialized training of young MDs in both clinical care and research skills related to ALS is crucial for building better clinical infrastructure across Canada. This fellowship is designed to support the further training of a clinician to develop the skills necessary to be a specialist in ALS and provide experience/training in clinical or basic research relevant to the field.
One fellowship of up to $200,000 CAD total is available for up to two years. A one-year fellowship of $100,000 CAD may be requested provided appropriate justification is included.
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 Terms of Reference.
Deadline for Receipt of Applications: February 21, 2025 at 13:00 ET
Complete applications should be submitted via email to the ALS Canada Research Team (research@als.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 the ALS Society of Canada.