The Brain. The Last Great Frontier.
Exploring the great unknown that is the brain cannot be done alone – it takes courageous partners, imagination and determination. At Brain Canada, we envision a future where scientists across disciplines collaborate to drive innovation. A future where early-career researchers have the resources to explore their boldest ideas. And where people across the country have access to solutions to mysteries like ALS, epilepsy, and brain injury.
As a national convenor and enabler of the Canadian brain research community, Brain Canada is supporting efforts to reduce health inequities. This includes efforts to assess the different ways that brain diseases and disorders affect men, women, and gender diverse groups, and various stages of neurodevelopment and aging. Brain Canada’s goal, in the process, is to advance sex and gender brain science and remove systemic barriers and biases to ensure that all individuals have equal access to – and will benefit from – the results of bold brain research.
Our History
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2024
The Government of Canada renewed funding to Brain Canada in the Federal Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation to support the advancement of brain research in this country with a commitment of $80 million over four years.
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2023
Brain Canada celebrates 25 years of accelerating, amplifying, and funding brain research.
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2022
To date, the Canada Brain Research Fund, matched by Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners, has invested more than $280 million in brain research.
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2021
The Government of Canada provided a $40 million funding extension for the Canada Brain Research Fund.
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2019
Announced in Budget 2019, Health Canada committed an additional $40 million to be matched.
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2016
Budget 2016 included an additional $20 million in matching funds for the Canada Brain Research Fund, bringing the total fund to a potential $240 million.
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2015
Reached $100 million goal, 18 months ahead of schedule, for a total investment of $200 million.
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2011
Changed the name to Brain Canada Foundation to better reflect the focus on the brain, not only neuroscience. Established the Canada Brain Research Fund – a partnership with the government to match $100 million over five years.
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2010
Approached the Government of Canada to form a partnership to support brain research.
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2008
Rallied health charities to speak with one voice to the government for brain strategy.
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2006
Published The Case for Canada’s Increased Investment in Brain Research, which provided a calculation for the economic burden of brain disorders as one grouping.
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2001
Launched the Brain Repair program.
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1998
What would eventually be called Brain Canada is established under the name NeuroScience Canada Partnership and Foundation.