ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant Program 2025

Eligibility

A lead investigator (Principal Investigator, or PI) must be named to assume the administrative and financial responsibilities. The lead investigator’s institution will serve as the host institution for the grant and will receive funding disbursements from Brain Canada. The PI must hold an independent academic position and be conducting research at a qualifying Canadian institution for the full duration of the grant, as defined by CIHR guidelines. Eligible individualstypically hold the rank of assistant, associate, full professor, or equivalent. They must be able to initiate and direct independent lines of research as a principal investigator; assume full responsibility for managing their laboratories; maintain full control over their research funds; and be permitted to supervise trainees (if applicable, as per institutional policy). 

For both streams, at least one additional co-investigator from a different institution or a distinct department within the same institution is required. Each co-investigator must be an independent researcher who holds a PhD or equivalent, or a health professional degree (MD, OT, PT, etc.). Clinical researchers should have completed residency training that includes research experience, or they should have previous research experience.

Summary

The purpose of the 2025 Discovery Grant Program is to invest in high-impact projects focused on: a) identifying causes of, or treatments for, ALS and/or related neurological diseases, including primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, and ALS/FTLD (frontotemporal lobar dementia), or b) advancing research aimed at maximizing function, minimizing disability, and optimizing quality of life through symptom management and support for individuals or families living with ALS. Examples include, but are not limited to, management of secretions and cramps, psychological interventions to address mental health issues, nutritional interventions, respiratory care, engineering applications to reduce physical limitations, and programs to address the needs of caregivers. These priorities align with ALS Canada's vision of "A world free of ALS" and its strategic goal of leading Canada’s contribution to global ALS research. 

The Seed Grant (Stream 1) is designed to nurture novel ideas by providing support for obtaining preliminary data or pursuing ideas supported by early data signals. Although preliminary data may enhance competitiveness, it is not necessarily required. Applicants may request $125,000 for research projects over a two-year period. This stream emphasizes high-risk, high-reward research. Projects initially funded through the Seed Grant stream that generate promising preliminary data may serve as a foundation for future applications to the Development Grant stream. 

The Development Grant (Stream 2) aims to support projects that build on a strong foundation of preliminary data, driving towards eventual translation to human impact. Given the highly competitive and underfunded nature of federal multi-year operating grants in Canada, prioritizing ALS within a single lab or clinical research strategy can be challenging. Applicants may request $500,000 for research projects over a three-year period. These grants are designed to support teams with a collaborative and translational vision, contributing to long-term progress in the field.

Overhead

For either stream, funds must be used to cover the direct costs of the research project for which they were awarded and should be directly attributable to it. Indirect or overhead costs are not eligible.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Additional Resources

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available internally through the Knowledge to Impact Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KTI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KTI team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.