Call for Collaborative Research Projects on the Brain

Eligibility

Only expenses incurred by Canadian research institutions are eligible: 

• Fellowships and wages for research personnel assigned to the project (technicians, research assistants and associates, postdoctoral fellows and students); • Laboratory equipment, consumables and supplies, as well as animal facilities and platform fees; 
• Travel expenses (project-related travel, collaborations, conferences, etc.) and knowledge dissemination costs. 
• Intellectual property costs (patent applications, patent maintenance fees for the duration of the project). Please note that costs related to intellectual property must be incurred by a research institution in Quebec to be eligible. 
• The rental or purchase of small equipment of a maximum value of $25,000 per item. 
• Some subcontracting expenses to Quebec companies that are not partners in the project can be authorized when the activity is essential to the project and cannot be performed by the research institution. 

The following expenses are not eligible: 
• Expenses incurred by partner companies. 
• Purchase or rental of equipment worth more than $25,000. If the value exceeds $25,000, the entire expense is ineligible. 
• Salary of the principal investigator (PI), co-investigators, or any team members holding an independent academic or research position. 
• Indirect and overhead costs. However, these costs may apply to some financial contributions to the project. 
• Intellectual property costs incurred by a research institution outside Quebec or by the partner company. 

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and that CQDM and Brain Canada must be consulted on expenses that are not listed here to determine the eligibility of other categories of expenditure. Applicants are encouraged to contact CQDM before the deadline to confirm the eligibility of expenses.

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. 

SCOPE AND RESEARCH AGENDA 

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. 

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

Evidence clearly shows that increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation, and creativity. CQDM and Brain Canada are committed to excellence through equity and encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to this funding opportunity, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches, and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

Overhead

Not supported. 

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.

The combined financial support from CQDM and Brain Canada for eligible projects expenses will vary between 78-82% depending on the percentage of research expenses in Quebec versus outside of Quebec. In addition, at least one eligible Quebec small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)* must contribute to the funding with a cash contribution. The expected contribution of the SME may vary according to the proposed activities and financing structure, but may not represent less than 20% of eligible expenses in Quebec. In-kind contributions are not eligible for the matched funding calculation. 

• To be eligible, an SME must: o Have a significant participation in the project; 
o Have a place of business in Quebec, be legally constituted according to the federal or Quebec laws in force and be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register; 
o Have R&D and/or production activities in Quebec; 
o Have 249 employees or less. 

A portion of the required funding may come from other sources, including Canadian and foreign companies, foundations or non-Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE) government contributions. Mitacs funding cannot be matched in this call for projects. *Projects involving a company with more than 250 employees are eligible. However, CQDM's financial support may be reduced. Contact CQDM for more details.

CALENDAR 

Call for applications February 26, 2025 
Deadline to notify CQDM of intent to apply May 21, 2025 
Full Application deadline May 28, 2025 at 17:00 ET 
Notice of decision to applicants October 2025 
Funding start date January 1, 2026 at the earliest

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.