Funding Programs

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a major impact on more than just those with lived experience. CAN is committed to working with members of the SCI community in Alberta to develop innovative ideas for those living with SCI.

Translation can take different forms whether it involves working with an industry partner in the development and commercialization of SCI technology or with healthcare professionals in the development and/or implementation of a new treatment. A translational component strengthens research capacity by connecting the different partners needed to successfully bring research to those that need it most.

Along with a translational focus, matched funding of a minimum $25,000 in stipend support for the applicant is also required from a partner source. This partner can be from industry, healthcare, community group, etc. Although not required, we encourage the trainee to work with this partner in their career development, where it makes sense, to further develop their knowledge beyond the scope of their research. As well, if the project and funding partner align with the requirements of Mitacs, the funding of this competition can be leveraged in a Mitacs fellowship application. Please make Campus Alberta Neuroscience aware of your intentions to apply to Mitacs prior to administration of funds. For more information on Mitacs, please visit their website or contact the representative on your campus.

Please note the competition closed on August 4, 2020 and applications are currently under review. Final decisions will be made by September 21, 2020 and successful applicants will be notified. 

Download the SCI Innovation and Translation Fellowship Competition Guidelines, Application and BioSketch form for details on how to apply to this competition.

SCI Innovation and Translation Fellowship Competition Guidelines

SCI Innovation and Translation Fellowship Competition Biographical Sketch

SCI Innovation and Translation Fellowship Competition Application

Contact us for more information [email protected] (Att: Shannon Wowk)

Are you an entrepreneur in the neuroscience and mental health field in search of funding?

Campus Alberta Neuroscience (CAN) is pleased to announce its Entrepreneurship Seed Grant for 2021. The Entrepreneurship Seed Grant is a foundational pillar of CAN’s Entrepreneurship Program that provides funding and collaborative support for early-stage innovation projects with solutions that address neuroscience and mental health related challenges in Alberta.

This unique program is designed to help early-stage founders/researchers to scale their innovation/company by providing financial support and access to CAN’s extensive network of over 1,000 members including founders, industries, consultants, partners and investors.

Funding ranges between $5,000 – $30,000 CAD. All 2021 Entrepreneurship Seed Grant applicants will automatically be eligible for consideration of additional programs, including a consultation with Campus Alberta Neuroscience, mentorship, matching funding opportunities, educational opportunities, and other commercialization and entrepreneurial support through CAN and its partner organizations.

The proposed project must have a compelling plan for the creation of a product or service (e.g., devices, therapeutics, software, etc.) with a demonstrated application to impact neuroscience and/or mental health fields. Funding can be used to cover costs related to advancing/growing your innovation/company, including:

• Product development
• Access to commercialization support (legal experts, economic development or marketing expertise, web development, etc.)
• Running a demonstration project
• Support for scaling up of production/commercialization

For complete details, please see the Entrepreneurship Seed Grant Guidelines. We encourage each applicant to download the Reference Document and develop their responses before completing the application form as you will not be able to save during the submission process.

If you are interested in applying to this program and require further information, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject line “Entrepreneurship Seed Grant”.

Click here to start your application.

Key Dates

Application Opens: May 3, 2021
Application Deadline: June 30, 2021 by 12:00 PM MST (noon)
Elevator Pitch Sessions: July 27 and 28, 2021 (afternoon)
Notice of Decision: Week of August 2, 2021 (date is tentative and subject to change)

There is a thriving entrepreneur culture in Neuroscience across the province. However, there exists a challenge of both knowledge and awareness of how to launch new companies and succeed in this competitive environment.

The goal of the CAN Entrepreneur Consultation Program is to bridge the gap between research, commercialization and translation. The aim is to ensure that each neuroscientist has access to the plethora of resources available within the province. CAN will seek to build collaboration between researchers and companies and organizations, while providing education alongside this program with a series of entrepreneur focused workshops.

This could include support with business plan development, legal and intellectual property advice, financing, or a myriad of other aspects. The program will not provide direct funding from CAN or angel investors but, rather, acts as a catalyst to connect neuroscience entrepreneurs with commercialization resources, contacts and information.

Entrepreneurs will have access to:

• A free 1-hour consultation
• A targeted and individual assessment of needs
• A plan for moving their innovation forward
• Connections to organizations, people and areas of exploration

HOW TO APPLY

To submit a application for consultation please fill out this form.