Brain Canada Foundation

Brain Canada was founded in 1998, and since its inception, has made the case for supporting Canada’s world-class brain research. Over 20 years, the organization has raised—from donors and through partnerships--and invested $250 million to fund about 300 projects involving more than 1,000 researchers and clinicians based at 115 institutions across the country. Grants are selected through a rigorous, international peer review process, and reward excellence, innovation, and the potential to achieve paradigm changes in the field which will lead to improved outcomes for people. Brain Canada’s central vision is that the brain is a single, complex system with commonalities across the range of neurological disorders, mental illnesses and addictions, brain and spinal cord injuries. Looking at the brain as one system has underscored the need for increased collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and organizations, and a smarter way to invest in brain research. This holistic vision appeals to us and offers exciting new possibilities. For example, Parkinson’s shares common underlying mechanisms with other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, MS and Huntington’s, and so Brain Canada’s approach means taking a broad lens to be able to expand our search for answers.