Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research – Momentum Grants

Eligibility

Applicants must have been previously awarded a 2018 Azrieli Foundation-Brain Canada Early Career Capacity Building Grant or a Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Grant. Please note, to be eligible to apply to the Momentum Grants, the end date of the previous grant, including any no-cost extension period, must be before the expected funding start date of March 1, 2026, and the applicant must not have any overdue reporting to Brain Canada from their previous grant at this date. 

• Applicants must demonstrate how the findings and/or outcomes of their initial grant led to the proposed research project; there must be a clear link and progression forward. 
• Applicants must be conducting research at an eligible Canadian institution for the entire duration of the grant, and 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 laboratories; has full control of their research funds; and is permitted to supervise trainees (if applicable, as per their institution’s policy). 
• Research applications may be related but cannot be identical to any other currently funded projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Brain Canada immediately should overlap arise from new funding awarded during the application and review process of this competition. 
• Applicants must be able to initiate the project in March 2026 when funding is expected to begin. 
• Applicants who are currently holding, or previously received, a Momentum Grant from Brain Canada are not eligible to apply. 
• Applicants may only submit one application per competition cycle. 
• Each applicant is only eligible to apply to the Momentum Grants program up to two (2) times (i.e. two competition cycles). 

For any inquiries related to eligibility, including confirmation of previous grant end date and/or outstanding/overdue reporting obligations, please contact us at futureleaders@braincanada.ca.

Summary

The Momentum Grants program builds upon the success of the Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program, which provides funding to early-career researchers to build a foundation of research excellence and innovation in Canada. Neuroscience research continues to uncover new insights into the complexities of the brain, opening up avenues for improved diagnostics, therapies, and interventions for brain disorders. Through the Momentum Grants, we aim to provide researchers with funding to sustain and accelerate their ongoing research, allowing them to capitalize on the initial momentum generated through their seed funding. 

This funding opportunity is open to previous recipients of Azrieli Foundation-Brain Canada Early-Career Capacity Building Grants or Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Grants. The Momentum Grants program aims to enable researchers to build upon their initial projects and explore new dimensions of their research with the potential to generate breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain. Researchers are encouraged to think boldly, pushing the boundaries of current knowledge and embracing interdisciplinary approaches to address complex brain-related challenges.

This funding opportunity has a funding envelope of $1,000,000 CAD to support up to five grants of $200,000 over two years. Grant names may include acknowledgment of specific donors who are contributing funding for this competition

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.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available 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.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

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 edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application