Team Funding Opportunity
Advancing groundbreaking research in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in BC
Overview
A new initiative to advance research on Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases is being launched by a group of partners – including Branch Out Neurological Foundation.
The Advancing Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases Team Award supports BC-based, interdisciplinary research teams working to deepen understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), improve diagnosis, treatment, and/or care, and potentially explore shared mechanisms across those neurodegenerative diseases. Branch Out has partnered on this grant to support neuroCAM initiatives looking for solutions that go beyond pharmaceuticals to explore tech-based, nutraceuticals, mind-body, or personalized treatments.
AD and PD are among the health challenges facing BC’s aging population, creating a need for bold, novel research that drives meaningful outcomes for those affected. Teams are encouraged to meaningfully engage with research users, particularly people with lived experience (PWLE; e.g., people living with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s and/or their caregivers/care partners), as team members, as appropriate for the project.
This opportunity is made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation. Together in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Branch Out Neurological Foundation, CLEAR Foundation, Health Research BC, Parkinson Society BC, and the Patrick & Dulcie Lenox Endowment, we are advancing meaningful solutions for BC’s aging population and strengthening networks between researchers, partners, and research users.
Key Dates
- Guidelines Available: Now
- Competition Opens: January 5, 2026
- Letter of Intent Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Full Application Deadline (applicant): March 26, 2026
- Full Application Deadline (institution): April 2, 2026
- Value: up to $500,000 with possible $15,000 Top Up to Assist with PWLE
- Health Research BC Website
Eligibility and Conditions
Primary applicant:
- Must hold and maintain an eligible appointment at a BC-based institution that has a Memorandum of Understanding with Health Research BC and is CIHR-eligible to administer grants for the full award duration.
- Postdoctoral fellows, research associates, or adjunct faculty are not eligible as primary applicants.
- Applicants may serve as primary applicant on only one application but may be listed as a team member on one other application.
Co-lead:- Teams must include at least one co-lead in addition to the primary applicant.
- Co-lead should be from a different host institution or department than the primary applicant.
- Postdoctoral fellows and research associates are not eligible as co-leads.
Trainees:- Teams must include at least one trainee with a defined role in the research.
- Trainees may be graduate students, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, or equivalents engaged in a formal training program.
- The specific trainee(s) can be identified after the funding decision.
People with lived experience:- Strengthen interdisciplinary research by enabling PWLE, community partners and other research users to contribute where appropriate across the research cycle.
