Advancing Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases Team Award

The Advancing Groundbreaking Research in Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases Team Award supports BC-based, interdisciplinary research teams working to deepen understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), improve diagnosis, treatment, and/or care, and potentially explore shared mechanisms across neurodegenerative diseases.

AD and PD are among the health challenges facing BC’s aging population, creating a need for bold, novel research that drives meaningful outcomes for those affected. Teams are encouraged to meaningfully engage with research users, particularly people with lived experience (PWLE; e.g., people living with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s and/or their caregivers/care partners), as team members, as appropriate for the project.

This opportunity is made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation. Together in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Branch Out Neurological Foundation, CLEAR Foundation, Health Research BC, Parkinson Society BC, and the Patrick & Dulcie Lenox Endowment, we are advancing meaningful solutions for BC’s aging population and strengthening networks between researchers, partners, and research users.

Guidelines available

  • This competition is

    OPENING SOON: GUIDELINES AVAILABLE

  • Important Dates

  • Letter of Intent Open

    January 05, 2026

  • Letter of Intent Deadline

    February 02, 2026, 4:30 p.m. PT

  • Full Application Deadline (Applicant)

    March 26, 2026, 4:30 p.m. PT

  • Full Application Deadline (Host Institution)

    April 02, 2026, 4:30 p.m. PT

  • Anticipated Notice of Funding Decision

    June 2026

  • Award Term

    September 01, 2026 – August 31, 2029

  • Award Amount

    Up to $500,000

  • Top-up Award

    Up to $15,000/application

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Funding opportunity details Eligibility How to apply Guidelines

Funding opportunity details

  • Teams can request up to $500,000 over three years to undertake research activities
  • Research areas include:
    • Identifying and advancing approaches to support earlier detection and diagnosis of AD and/or PD
    • Identifying, developing, and advancing therapeutic approaches to treat or manage AD and/or PD
    • Co-designing, developing, and testing new or improved programs and interventions to support people with AD and/or PD
    • Co-designing, developing, and testing new or improved care strategies or approaches to improve the quality of care for people with AD and/or PD
  • Team composition: at least two research leads (a BC-based primary applicant and a co-lead) and at least one BC-based graduate student, postdoc, or early-career researcher.
  • Teams are encouraged to embed people with PWLE in research teams to ensure studies address real community needs. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in top-up award to support engagement of PWLE.
  • Applicants gain opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, build networks with other researchers, partners, and knowledge users, and contribute to advancing research on AD and PD.

Eligibility

Primary applicant:

  • Must hold and maintain an eligible appointment at a BC-based institution that has a Memorandum of Understanding with Health Research BC and is CIHR-eligible to administer grants for the full award duration.
  • Postdoctoral fellows, research associates, or adjunct faculty are not eligible as primary applicants.
  • Applicants may serve as primary applicant on only one application but may be listed as a team member on one other application.

Co-lead:

  • Teams must include at least one co-lead in addition to the primary applicant.
  • Co-lead should be from a different host institution or department than the primary applicant.
  • Postdoctoral fellows and research associates are not eligible as co-leads.

Trainees:

  • Teams must include at least one trainee with a defined role in the research.
  • Trainees may be graduate students, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, or equivalents engaged in a formal training program.
  • The specific trainee(s) can be identified after the funding decision.

People with lived experience:

  • Strengthen interdisciplinary research by enabling PWLE, community partners and other research users to contribute where appropriate across the research cycle.

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How to apply

Applications to our funding competitions are coordinated through Health Research BC's ApplyNet, our online grants management system that allows users to manage their entire award lifecycle, from application submission to post-award monitoring.

Log in to ApplyNet:

Applynet
Learn more about Health Research BC's ApplyNet
View the Health Research BC ApplyNet quick start guides

Guidelines

Guidelines

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