Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Program

Sponsor’s Website

Visit the Brain Canada Foundation website for more information on the Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Program.

Internal Contact

Katie Harriman: katie.harriman@carleton.ca

Deadlines

Overview

Supported by the Canada Brain Research Fund, this program aims to accelerate novel and transformative research that will fundamentally change our understanding of nervous system function and dysfunction, and their impact on health. It encourages innovative, unorthodox and exploratory research that may be in the early and conceptual stages of project development but has potential for significant impact on our understanding of the brain. The data generated will enable early-career researchers to apply for larger grants that will lead to long-term projects and create innovative and sustainable research programs.

See the 2025 request for applications for more details.

Value and Duration

Up to twenty $100,000 grants for over two years.

Eligibility

This competition is open to early-career researchers within five years of starting their first independent research position by the application deadline. Leaves of absence (e.g., maternity and parental leave, sick leave) will be excluded when calculating the five-year window.

The Brain Canada Foundation is implementing an extended eligibility window, in line with federal granting agencies, to account for the ongoing delays to research caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. An eligibility window of 84 months can be considered for those who assumed their position on or before December 31, 2022.

Applicants must be conducting research at an eligible Canadian institution for the entire duration of the grant and must be considered an independent researcher at their institution.

Projects should be distinct from other research projects conducted by the investigator. The research topic will focus on hypothesis-driven inquiries on the brain and nervous system, and may span the range of basic, translational and clinical approaches.

Indirect costs are not eligible.

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be able to devote a minimum of 50% of their time to research activities.
• Applicants must submit an LOI in order to be eligible to submit a full application. 

Submitting Your Application

1. Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch. Consult the user’s manual for guidance.
2. Submit an external application to the Brain Canada Foundation through their online portal.