2024 Platform Support Grants (PSG)

High-impact research in neuroscience and mental health has always required skill, imagination, determination, and insight. Platforms also play a critical role in fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As such, access to platforms is essential to address the evolving needs of research. 

Brain Canada has identified support for research platforms as a gap in the neuroscience research funding environment and the Platform Support Grants (PSG) program aims to continue addressing this critical gap. 

Brain Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund, has allocated $13 million dollars of federal funding to the 2024 Platform Support Grants program, to be matched by funding provided by sponsors secured by applicants for a total possible funding envelope of $26 million dollars. With this sponsored PSG funding opportunity, Brain Canada aims to assist sponsoring organizations, agencies, institutions, and individuals who wish to build capacity and develop or enhance research platforms in specific thematic and/or geographic areas. 

The Platform Support Grants program supports major research platforms at a local, regional, or national scale with the goal of providing enhanced technical and research capabilities to multiple investigators in the neurosciences. Through the 2024 Platform Support Grants program, researchers can apply for funding through one of two streams. 

Stream 1 

Will support platforms that are in development or already existing but that have never been funded through Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program. 

Stream 2 

Will support platforms that have previously received funding through Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program. 

Grants will be over three and a half (3.5) years, including a six (6) month administrative period; non-renewable. Total grant amounts are flexible to accommodate the needs of each platform. Historically, research grants awarded through the PSG program have ranged from $138,000 - $6.1 million (including matching funds) across the grant duration. 

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. 

For more information on the Platform Support Grants program, please consult the Request for Applications.    

Deadline for receipt of Registration Forms: July 24, 2024 at 17:00 EST 

Deadline for Receipt of Full Applications: September 20, 2024 at 17:00 EST 

Should you have any questions, please contact platformgrant@braincanada.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.   

 

Bilateral Collaborative Research Program Federation Wallonia-Brussels – Quebec: Upcoming 4th Call for Proposals

After the success of the first three editions in 2016, 2018, and 2021, the Federation Wallonia-Brussels and Quebec are relaunching their collaborative research program. A 4th call for proposals will open on July 26, 2024, by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS) and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ).

Program Description: The main objective of this program is to promote the advancement of research through intersectoral and international collaborations. A maximum of six joint research projects will be funded. The grant amounts are as follows:

• FNRS: up to a maximum of €82,500 per year for 3 years
• FRQ: up to a maximum of CAD $100,000 per year for 3 years

Eligibility Criteria: Teams must be composed of at least three members: one principal investigator from the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, one principal investigator from Quebec, and one co-investigator from Quebec. This call for proposals is open to university researchers, clinical researchers, college researchers, and other research statuses. Quebec teams must include members whose research fields and expertise cover at least two of the FRQ's research sectors: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (SNMG); Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts and Letters (SSHAL); and Life Sciences and Health.

Deadlines:

• Pre-proposals: September 25, 2024, 2:00 PM (Brussels) and 4:00 PM (Montreal)

  • Eligible pre-proposals will be evaluated by a joint peer review committee. Only the top 25 ranked pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal.

• Proposals: February 18, 2025, 2:00 PM (Brussels) and 4:00 PM (Montreal)

  • By invitation only

Submission Process: All documents must be submitted on the FNRS project submission platform (e-space) by the project promoter from the Federation Wallonia-Brussels. An FRQnet administrative form accessible under the Health sector portfolio will also be required for Quebec teams. More information is available on the FRQ and FNRS websites.

Contacts:

• Florence Quist

  • Senior Scientific Advisor
  • F.R.S.-FNRS
  • +32 2 504 93 51

• Maxime Beaudoin

  • Program Manager
  • Fonds de recherche du Québec - Health sector
  • 514 873-2114 ext. 4369

FNFR - Exploration (Interdisciplinary Research)

The objective of the Exploration stream is to encourage high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research. Projects can focus on domains, themes, approaches, and disciplines eligible for funding from the three granting agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR). Exploration grants support projects that:

• Bring together diverse disciplines beyond traditional disciplinary or current interdisciplinary approaches;
• Propose to explore the novel but may fail;
• Could have significant impacts.

Funding and Duration: Up to $125,000 (including indirect costs) per year, maximum 2 years

Key Dates:

• Internal Notice of Intent: August 22
• FNFR Notice of Intent: August 27
• Internal Application Submission: October 31
• FNFR Application Submission: November 5
• Results Announcement: March 31, 2025

Selection Criteria: Indicators of merit in the evaluation process:

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion in research practices (pass/fail). For more information, see Best Practices in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research by FNFR.
• Interdisciplinarity (pass/fail);
• High Risk (40%);
• High Reward (40%);
• Feasibility (20%).

FAQ | Notice of Intent Preparation Guide | Application Submission Guide

This program will support individual or team interdisciplinary research projects.

Objectives:

• Address SNG research questions best tackled through an interdisciplinary approach;
• Promote SNG disciplines through the productive exchange of ideas and new ways of addressing questions, ideas, and research frameworks; approaches and methods; platforms, tools, and infrastructures; and people, partners, and trainees;
• Provide cutting-edge SNG training for highly qualified personnel working in interdisciplinary research environments.

Funding and Duration: $50,000 to $100,000 per year, maximum 5 years

Key Dates:

• Optional Review of Notice of Intent by BRDV: June 10
• Submission of Notice of Intent on Convergence Portal: June 14 (no institutional approval required)
• Submission of Invited Applications: October 18 (internal deadline: October 16)

Important: A person (applicant or co-applicant) cannot simultaneously hold a Discovery Grant and a Discovery Horizons Grant. Additionally, they can only apply to one of the two grant programs.

Instructions for the Notice of Intent