Funding Programs

Guided by global leaders in ALS research, the ALS Canada Acceleration Grant Program is designed to support the most promising ALS research worldwide, focused on balancing traditional scientific rigour with the urgency ALS requires. With a shortened turnaround time between idea to funding, this program aims to provide researchers with the funding support they need to make an accelerated difference in the development of cutting-edge research to move the field forward.

The goal of an Acceleration Grant is to propel an exciting line of research forward seamlessly, without the need for lengthy application, review, and administrative phases. It relies on a unique form of global peer review, where experts in the field proactively determine the best work to support rather than reactively evaluating applications.

To build momentum for the continued pursuance of new treatments and a better understanding of the disease through the end of the decade and beyond, it is imperative that promising young investigators are nurtured into a career focused on ALS research. The Career Transition Award will identify and engage rising stars pursuing innovative research in labs and academic institutions in Canada. This program has the long-term goal of developing the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences, contributing to knowledge generation and translation in ALS. To fulfill this mission, the award will support a talented young investigator to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution.

ALS Canada partners with Brain Canada (with the financial support of Health Canada) on this program.

Specialized training of MDs in both clinical care and research skills related to ALS is crucial to building better clinical infrastructure across Canada. This fellowship is designed to support the further training of a clinician to develop the skills necessary to be a specialist in ALS and provide experience/training in clinical or basic research relevant to the field.

ALS Canada partners with Brain Canada (with the financial support of Health Canada) on this program.

The purpose of the Discovery Grant Program is to invest in the best possible projects that are a) focused on 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) research focused on avenues to maximize function, minimize disability and optimize quality of life through symptom management, and support to persons or families living with ALS.

Discovery Grants are designed to support teams of multiple investigators and especially encourage multidisciplinary teams with individuals from outside the field who can combine their expertise in novel or innovative ways.

This program encompasses previous similar programs, including past Project Grants and Clinical Management Grants.

ALS Canada partners with Brain Canada (with the financial support of Health Canada) on this program to leverage contributions made through the Ice Bucket Challenge

It is important that promising young investigators are nurtured in the early stages of their careers, so they might strive to promote discovery and advancement. By providing salary support to PhD students or postdoctoral fellows, these grants attract the brightest young minds to ALS research, bringing new ideas to the field and maintaining Canadian ALS research excellence into the future. The competition also helps to support Canadian labs with the necessary funds to have top early career researchers working on the best projects to better understand the disease and drive toward new treatments for individuals living with ALS.

The Trainee Awards category represents a combination of different grant programs prior to 2017.

ALS Canada partners with Brain Canada (with the financial support of Health Canada) on this program.