To encourage Open Science at all levels, these awards and stipends are open to Neuro faculty, staff, graduate trainees, and undergraduate students.

Through these awards, TOSI recognizes the contributions of faculty, staff, graduate students and postdocs who help make research at The Neuro more transparent, effective and impactful through Open Science. TOSI also encourages the next generation of researchers by providing financial support to undergraduate students who wish to undertake a research internship at The Neuro. 

Awards include:

• Open Science Leadership Awards for Faculty
• Open Science Champions Awards for Neuro Staff
• Hatrock Awards for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
• Open Science Launchpad Stipends for Undergraduate Internships

Application deadline: March 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

Learn more and apply here.

UP TO $2 MILLION AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE BRAIN RESEARCH PROJECTS

This CQDM and Brain Canada initiative specifically focuses on brain research relevant to biopharmaceutical applications. The intent of the initiative is to:

• Increase research collaborations and partnerships between universities and companies in the life sciences industry in Quebec and other Canadian provinces and territories to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.
• Foster technological maturation and industrial value creation leading to economic benefits for the project's stakeholders, Quebec and the rest of Canada.
• Promote the knowledge, capabilities and new technologies developed in public institutions, and facilitate uptake by industry

Application deadline: May 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST

Learn more and apply here.

SFARI’s mission is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Grants awarded through this request for applications (RFA) are intended to recharge and extend a consortium of researchers using rats as an experimental system to advance our understanding of the behavioral and circuit neuroscience mechanisms underlying autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).

Application deadline: March 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST

SFARI will offer two tracks within this RFA: Explorer and Collaboration. Explorer projects are meant to support individual labs or small collaborative groups. The total budget is $200,000, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs, for each year of funding over a period of two (2) years, with the possibility of an additional two (2) years of funding for successful projects based on progress in the first two years. Each lab within a Collaboration project may request a maximum of $300,000, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs, for each year of funding over a period of three (3) to four (4) years. The budget for Collaboration Projects, regardless of the number of labs included, may not exceed an annual maximum of $900,000 (and a four-year maximum of $3,600,000).

Learn more and apply here.

The Autism Science Foundation Canada invites applications from highly qualified undergraduates interested in pursuing basic and clinical research relevant to autism spectrum disorders during the summer. 

Application deadline: March 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST

Research must be conducted in a university-based laboratory or in the field under the supervision of a highly qualified mentor for a period of no less than 8 weeks.  

Awards of $4000 CAD will be made directly to the university sponsoring the research. Of this, the university must pay $3500 CAD directly to the student as a stipend; $500 CAD shall be used for lab expenses and indirect university costs.

Learn more and apply here.

The Fellows-to-Faculty Award is a new iteration of the previously offered Simons Foundation Independence Awards.

The 2025 request for applications is intended for senior postdoctoral scholars or equivalent researchers whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science and whose future research program advances the mission of either the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) or Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB). Fellows may activate awards at research institutions within or outside the United States. 

Application deadline: January 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST

Each fellow is provided up to five (5) years of financial support, split into a faculty research award over three (3) years and an optional postdoctoral award for a maximum of two (2) years. The Faculty Research Award includes a total budget of $600,000 USD, inclusive of 20 percent indirect costs, intended as a supplement to a full, institution-provided start-up package. The Postdoctoral Award includes the following, annually: $85,000 USD stipend, $10,000 USD career development allowance, and $15,000 USD health insurance and other benefits allowance.

Learn more and apply here.

Autism Alliance of Canada is excited to announce the 2025 Data2Policy (D2P) Fellowships, funded through the National Centre for Autism Collaboration (NCAC) with support from Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Carleton University, The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT), Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, McMaster University, St. Amant Research Centre, Stollery Foundation and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.

Currently, this opportunity is for registered graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at these institutions.

Application deadline: February 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

• Total Funds Available: Up to  $280,000 ($20,000 per fellow) 
• Number of Fellowships:
  • Up to 1 fellowship held at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre
  • Up to 4 fellowships held at Carleton University
  • Up to 2 fellowships held at the Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT)
  • Up to 2 fellowships held at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Up to 3 fellowships held at McMaster University
  • Up to 1 fellowship held at St. Amant Research Centre
  • Up to 1 fellowship held jointly at the Stollery Foundation and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute

Learn more and apply here.

The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) is requesting proposals from members of the Neuro community with the goal of identifying and supporting initiatives that facilitate opening the practice of research and the sharing and reuse of scientific outputs with other researchers, patients, policy makers and the public. 

The specific objectives of this year’s funding call are to: 

• Increase the adoption of Open Science practices by research teams who are less familiar with them, 
• Fill the gaps in Open Science by encouraging practices that have received less attention at The Neuro, and 
• Facilitate the dissemination of existing Open Science expertise to more research teams at The Neuro and beyond. 

Application deadline: November 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST

Total funding for 2024 is $100,000 CAD, with the goal of funding 2-4 initiatives with up to $50,000 CAD available per project. 

Learn more and apply here.

The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT) is a collaborative training environment that supports research excellence, and sustainable and equitable pathways for early career researchers in neurodevelopmental conditions across Canada through multidisciplinary cross-sector learning, mentorship, and connectivity. 

CanNRT invites applications for the Fellowship from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows conducting research on neurodevelopment and associated conditions at universities across Canada. 

Application deadline: November 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST

Fellows receive a one-time entry award ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 CAD, depending on their career stage, and up to $2,000 CAD annually for the duration of their enrolment in the program (up to three years).

Learn more and apply here.

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program develops highly talented junior faculty into influential research leaders who shape the direction of boundary-pushing research. 

To be eligible, you must hold a PhD (or equivalent) and be employed in a full-time position at an institution of higher education or research, with responsibilities that include leading independent research as a principal investigator and supervising/teaching trainees toward the attainment of a degree.

Application deadline: November 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST

The CIFAR research program offers a two-year interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship experience, granting scholars access to a global network of top researchers, along with $100,000 CAD in research support. Participants gain membership in the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars community, training in research leadership, and opportunities for funding to support new interdisciplinary initiatives.

Learn more and apply here.

The Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) at McGill University and the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, have partnered to establish collaborative research and training opportunities in neuroscience.

We invite applications for competitive Joint Pilot Project Grants to support collaborative work in the areas of:

1. Nervous System Homeostasis, Degeneration and Repair, and
2. Neurodevelopment and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.

The objective of these pilot projects will be to build on synergistic interactions between the two universities to establish long-standing collaborations, ideally leading to joint external research grant applications.

Proposals are invited for up to three 1-year Joint Pilot Project Grants, to support new or ongoing collaborations. A collaborative application should involve one Neuro-affiliated principal investigator (PI) and one University of Cambridge-affiliated PI. Each PI can participate in maximally one application. Early-career PIs are encouraged to apply.

The maximum total amount that can be requested for each joint application is C$50,000 (approximately B£32,000). Proposals should clearly demonstrate the added value of the planned joint research that would not be possible without the collaboration; and how planned joint research will provide training opportunities. High-risk/high-impact approaches will be considered. In these cases, risk will be evaluated against the potential to deliver ground-breaking results.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate:

• The added value of the planned joint research.
• How planned joint research will provide training opportunities for at least one trainee (MSc, PhD, MD students or postdoctoral fellows).

It is anticipated that data generated through these collaborations will allow researchers to pursue more comprehensive joint external research funding.

Key Dates: 2022 Competition

Costs

Eligible Costs: Salary of a student, research assistant or postdoc, research consumable costs, equipment costs, travel to foster collaboration, and per diem costs to cover accommodation and reasonable out of pocket expenses during travel.

Non-eligible Costs: Salaries of Principle Investigators, visitor fees, student fees, or bench fees, honoraria for guest lecturers, and publication costs.

Review Process

A Joint Review Panel composed of Principle Investigators from The Neuro and the University of Cambridge will review applications according to the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the proposed activities.
• Alignment with the priority areas described above.
• Track record of the applicants.
• Evidence that the proposed research might lead to a continuing collaboration between the partner laboratories.
• Demonstrated potential for enhancement of training of students/fellows.

Funding recommendations may take into consideration the longer-term strategic objectives of the partnership; or other factors deemed appropriate. The Panel’s decision will be final and there will be no appeal procedure. The Joint Review Panel reserves the right to not award any grants. Applicants may not take part in the review process.

How to Apply

For each application, PIs will need to send electronically:

• Completed application form:  The Neuro-University of Cambridge Neuroscience Research Collaboration Application Form
• Biosketch of PIs including a list of significant recent publications.
• Short biosketch of any listed collaborators (publication list not required).
• A budget including justification of all costs requested.

At project end, pilot projects and workshops should provide a brief (normally 1-page max) report detailing achievements. This should highlight key results, potential impacts of continued research in the area, student mobility, abstracts, talks at scientific meetings, funding applications, publications in preparation, and any media highlights.

Any publications generated as a result of the awarded funding must acknowledge the partnership. Investigators should update the partnership coordinators on the progress of publications arising from these awards. Should a project cease for any reason, including project end, unspent funds will be returned to the partnership.

Please email applications to Prof. Stefano Stifani (stefano.stifani [at] mcgill.ca), Dr. Stefano Pluchino (spp24 [at] cam.ac.uk), and Dr. Richard Bethlehem (rb643 [at] medschl.cam.ac.uk).

The 2022-24 Autism Alliance of Canada Data-to-Policy Fellowship is offered in partnership with the Sinneave Family Foundation, Kids Brain Health Network, and Autism Speaks Canada.

Goal: To provide research trainees interested in neurodevelopment disabilities with the opportunity to apply their data analytic and research skills to support the Autism Data Collaborative’s multidisciplinary working groups in advancing the use of Canadian data assets to inform autism policy and practice in Canada.

Who can apply: PhD students/candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates from health services and policy, population health, epidemiology, neurosciences, clinical psychology, or related research backgrounds.

Funding: The award will provide a stipend for $40,000 over the course of 18 months and is primarily intended to provide additional funding for trainees.

Application deadline: August 7, 2022

For the full call for applicants, please visit https://www.autismalliance.ca/research-and-data/data-to-policy-fellowship/ or contact kenneth.dyson [at] mcgill.ca (Kenneth Dyson), ACAR Manager. 

McGill University and the University of Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology represented by the Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) have partnered to establish collaborative research and training opportunities in neuroscience.

Within the framework of this collaboration, we invite applications for competitive Joint Pilot Project Grants to support collaborative work in the area of neurodevelopmental disorders. Focus can be on fundamental or clinical/applied research.

The goal of these projects is to foster scientific excellence through collaboration. It is anticipated that data generated through these collaborations will allow researchers to pursue more comprehensive joint external research funding.

Proposals are invited for up to two 1-year Pilot Project Grants. A collaborative application should involve investigators at McGill and ZNZ and should have the support of the two institutions. Each partner will contribute a total of CAN$50,000 or CHF38,000 to this collaboration. Thus, each joint application can request a maximum of CAN$25,000 from McGill and a maximum of CHF19,000 from ZNZ.

High-risk/high impact approaches are encouraged: in these cases, risk will be evaluated against the potential to deliver ground-breaking results.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate the added value of the planned joint research that would not be possible without the collaboration, and how planned joint research will provide training opportunities.

The partners acknowledge generous funding from the Azrieli Centre for Autism Research (ACAR) and the Neuroscience Centre Zurich.

Key Dates

Costs

Review Process

An ad hoc Joint Review Panel composed of ZNZ and McGill Principle Investigators will review applications according to the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the proposed activities
• Added value of the joint research project
• Alignment with the priority area described above
• Track record of the applicants
• Evidence that the proposed research might lead to a continuing collaboration between the partner laboratories
• Demonstrated potential for enhancement of training of students/fellows

Each partner institution will establish a review committee of 3-5 senior researchers to conduct the first review of the proposals. The recommendations of these two committees will be forwarded to the Joint Review Panel, which may choose to seek further scientific expert advice if deemed necessary in order to reach a consensus on recommendations for funding.

Funding recommendations may take into consideration the longer-term strategic objectives of the partnership; or other factors deemed appropriate. The Panel’s decision will be final and there will be no appeal procedure.

The Joint Review Panel reserves the right to not award any grants. 

Applicants may not take part in the review process.

How to Apply

Please email applications to both stefano.stifani [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Stefano Stifani) and wknecht [at] neuroscience.uzh.ch (Dr. Wolfgang Knecht).

Documents needed in a single pdf file:

• Completed application form:  McGill-ZNZ 2022 Application Form
• CV/Bio-sketch of PIs including a list of publications in the last five years (maximum 3 pages)
• Short bio-sketch of any listed collaborators (publication list not required)
• A budget including justification of all costs requested

At the end of the project, a brief report detailing achievements is required. This should highlight key results, potential impact, student mobility, presentations at conferences, abstracts, and publications. Any publications arising from an award must acknowledge the support from this scheme.

Should a project cease for any reason, including project end, unspent funds will be returned to the partnership.

Find Research Partner(s)

The following websites can be consulted to find research partners at ZNZ and McGill University:

• ZNZ Research Groups 
• McGill's Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN)
• IPN Professors
• Azrieli Centre for Autism Research (ACAR)
• ACAR Research Members

NEW Additional Theme: The Ageing Braing/Neurodegeneration

Thanks to a recent donation, we are now able to fund an additional collaborative pilot project grant in this competition (details below).

The theme of this new opportunity is “the ageing brain/neurodegeneration”.

The deadline for submitting joint applications to this new opportunity is August 29, 2022. 

Application Form:  RFA 2022 Edinburgh-McGill Partnership

McGill University and The University of Edinburgh have partnered to establish collaborative research and training opportunities in neuroscience.

Within the framework of this collaboration, the partners announce a call for applications for competitive Joint Pilot Project Grants to support collaborative work in the following research areas:

1. autism/neurodevelopmental conditions
2. intellectual disabilities (with particular focus on studies using human induced pluripotent stem cells).

The objective of these pilot projects will be to build on synergistic interactions between the two universities to establish long-standing collaborations, ideally leading to joint external research grant applications.

Proposals are invited for one 1-year Joint Pilot Project Grant in each of the two research areas identified above, to support new or ongoing collaborations.

The maximum total amount that can be requested for each application is C$80,000; each university will contribute C$40,000 per grant.

High-risk approaches will be considered. In these cases, risk will be evaluated against the potential to deliver ground breaking results. 

Applications should involve one McGill-affiliated principal investigator (PI) and one University of Edinburgh-affiliated PI. Each PI can participate in maximally one application. Early-career principle investigators are encouraged to apply.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate:

• the added value of the planned joint research.
• how planned joint research will provide training opportunities for at least one trainee (MSc, PhD, MD students or postdoctoral fellows).

It is anticipated that data generated through these collaborations will allow researchers to pursue more comprehensive joint external research funding.

Key Dates

Costs

Review Process

An ad hoc Joint Review Panel composed of McGill and University of Edinburgh PIs will review applications according to the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the proposed activities
• Alignment with the priority areas described above
• Track record of the applicants
• Evidence that the proposed research might lead to a continuing collaboration between the partner laboratories
• Demonstrated potential for enhancement of training of students/fellows

Each partner institution will establish a review committee of approximately 3-5 senior researchers to conduct the first review of the proposals. The recommendations of these two committees will be forwarded to the Joint Review Panel, which may choose to seek further scientific expert advice if deemed necessary to reach a consensus on recommendations for funding.

Funding recommendations may take into consideration the longer-term strategic objectives of the partnership as agreed at that time; or other factors deemed appropriate.

The Panel’s decision will be final and there will be no appeal procedure.

The Joint Review Panel reserves the right to not award any grants.

Applicants may not take part in the review process.

How to Apply

For each application, PIs will need to send electronically:

• Completed application form: Application Form
• Biosketch of PIs including a list of significant recent publications
• Short biosketch of any listed collaborators (publication list not required)
• A budget including justification of all costs requested

At project end, pilot projects and workshops should provide a brief (normally 1-page max) report detailing achievements. This should highlight key results, potential impacts of continued research in the area, student mobility, abstracts, talks at scientific meetings, funding applications, publications in preparation, and any media highlights.

Any publications generated as a result of an award must acknowledge the partnership specifically referring to support from ‘The University of Edinburgh/McGill University Neuroscience Collaboration”. Investigators should update the partnership coordinators on the progress of publications arising from these awards. Should a project cease for any reason, including project end, unspent funds will be returned to the partnership.

Please email applications to both stefano.stifani [at] mcgill.ca and head.cdbs [at] ed.ac.uk

Find Research Partner(s) 

The following websites can be consulted to find research partners at the University of Edinburgh and McGill University:

• McGill's Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN)
• IPN Professors
• Azrieli Centre for Autism Research (ACAR)
• ACAR Research Members 
• Edinburgh Neuroscience 
• Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences (CDBS) Research Groups
• Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS) Principal Investigators 
• Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB)