Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain

Eligibility

• Investigators must be affiliated with and conduct research at an eligible Canadian institution, as defined by CIHR, for the full duration of the grant. 
• The principal investigator must be based at a research institution in Quebec (university and affiliated hospital, research institute, public research center). They must work in close collaboration with at least one other independent researcher working in a research institution in another Canadian province or territory, as well as with at least one Quebec small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). 
  • Please note: College Centers for the Transfer of Technology [CCTT] and public laboratories funded by the federal government (such as the NRC) are not eligible to serve as the host institution, but team members and coinvestigators from these institutions may receive up to 50% of the total budget as sub-sites under certain conditions. Please contact CQDM to confirm eligibility before applying. 
• Investigators must be considered an independent researcher at their institution. Such an individual normally holds the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor; can initiate and direct their own independent lines of research as principal investigator; has full responsibility for running their research group; has full control of their research funds; and is permitted to supervise trainees (if applicable, as per their institution’s policy). Note: Postdoctoral fellows or adjunct faculty are not eligible to apply.
• See published Program Guidelines for further project and expense eligibility information.
• For any other questions regarding the eligibility of your project and for support, please contact Mathieu Paquette, Director - Business Development, Team Lead Quebec, at the following address: mpaquette@cqdm.org  

Summary

Brain Canada Foundation (Brain Canada) and CQDM are joining forces to support interprovincial collaborative biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D) projects on the brain. This partnership creates a unique funding opportunity that brings together experts from academia and industry to support the development of platforms, tools and biopharmaceuticals that will pave the way for new advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

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.

NOTE: The Intent to Apply deadline is not competitive and does not require submission via RMS. If invited to submit a full application, then an RMS record will be needed to facilitate internal approvals. 

Overhead

Indirect costs are not supported for this funding opportunity. 

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.

Application Process

Deadline for the Full Application: 17:00 ET on May 28, 2025 

Please note that you must notify CQDM no later than 17:00 ET on May 21, 2025 of your intent to submit an application (see point 2 below). Steps for submitting an application:

1. Contact Mathieu Paquette, Director - Business Development, Team Lead Québec, to validate the eligibility of your project and obtain the application forms at the following address: mpaquette@cqdm.org. 

2. Submit a half-page non-confidential scientific summary (including the project title, the names and affiliations of the researchers, and the names of the company partners) to the following address by 17:00 ET on May 21, 2025: appliquez-apply@cqdm.org. 

3. Submit the completed application to appliquez-apply@cqdm.org by May 28, 2025.

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 Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KE 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.