Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating and largely untreatable conditions that are strongly linked with age. Worldwide, there are estimated to be 47 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the most common class of neurodegenerative diseases. This figure is expected to double every 20 years as the population ages. Existing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are limited in effect and mainly address the symptoms rather than the cause or the progressive course. In this context, the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) was established in order to better coordinate research efforts across countries and disciplines to more rapidly find causes, develop cures and identify better ways to care for people with neurodegenerative disease. The JPND Research and Innovation Strategy, published in 2012 and refreshed in 2018, identified research priorities and provided a framework for future investment.

One of the greatest challenges for treating neurodegenerative diseases is the deciphering of this variability, which can be addressed through personalised medicine. “Personalised Medicine,” as defined by the Horizon 2020 advisory group, “refers to a medical model using characterisation of individuals’ phenotypes and genotypes (e.g., molecular profiling, medical imaging, lifestyle data) for tailoring the right therapeutic strategy for the right person at the right time, and/or to determine the predisposition to disease and/or to deliver timely and targeted prevention.”

The goal of this call Multinational research projects on Personalised Medicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases (JPco-fuND) is to increase the number of high quality transnational scientific projects. These projects must demonstrate clear scientific added value from working across national borders.

Proposals to be funded under this call will need adequately to involve patients, carers and the public. Consortia are expected to make every effort to include approaches on Patient and Public Involvement, where appropriate, at each stage of the research process including the preparation of the application.

ERA PerMed will foster research and innovation activities building close linkages between basic biomedical research, clinical research, bioinformatics, epidemiology, socio-economic research, as well as research on the integration of Personalised Medicine into clinical practice and on ethical, legal and social implications. The overarching goal is to improve disease management, with better patient stratification, diagnostics and treatment protocols, and disease prevention. Proposals submitted under this call are expected to demonstrate the applicability of project outcomes into clinical practice as well as to describe the impact on the health care systems. Proposals are expected to include research on ethical, legal and socio-economic implications, including health economics and regulation, and/or research on optimisation of health care systems.

The SickKids Foundation–CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Research Grants in Child and Youth Health in Child and Youth Health program seeks to strengthen Canada’s capacity and knowledge to respond to children’s health challenges and needs. The grants are jointly sponsored by SickKids Foundation and the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH). New investigators (also referred to by CIHR as early career investigators) may obtain up to three years of support for research in biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, population and public health sectors that has the potential for significant impact on children’s health outcomes.

The aim of the SickKids Foundation–CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Research Grants in Child and Youth Health program is to provide important early career development support to child health researchers and enhance their ability to compete for future research grants.

Established in 1984, the Law for the Future Fund (LFFF) provides financial support for Canadian research projects of national interest that are of benefit to the general public.

Since its foundation, the LFFF has helped finance more than 175 innovative and timely research projects. They include issues such as the recognition of environmental rights, access to justice in civil and family matters, prostitution laws and women's equality rights, the simplification of basic principles of human rights, and ways to make legal organizations more accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Board of Directors meets two times per year to oversee the operation of the Fund and to consider fundraising issues. To date, the total assistance granted by the LFFF is well over $3 million. The deadline for applications is the 1st of May each year.

Funding (up to $1,500,000 over up to 3 years) for transformative, novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research projects on neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Preliminary data is not required. Other lifestyle interventions are now eligible for funding if they meet our other scope criteria and there is specific supportive evidence/justification to warrant further investigation. Cycles of this program will run back-to-back going forward.

Funding (up to $1,500,000 over up to 3 years) for transformative, novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research projects on neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Preliminary data is not required. Other lifestyle interventions are now eligible for funding if they meet our other scope criteria and there is specific supportive evidence/justification to warrant further investigation. Cycles of this program will run back-to-back going forward.

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases (PD, PSP, DLB, MSA, prodromes, and vascular contributions to the listed diseases)
Note: The program dates have been extended. The deadline for LOIs is now May 15, 2019.

Rapid Response: Canada 2019

Seed funding (up to $300,000 over up to 18 months) for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research projects on neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Preliminary data is not required. Other lifestyle interventions are now eligible for funding if they meet our other scope criteria and there is specific supportive evidence/justification to warrant further investigation. Cycles of this program will run back-to-back going forward.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases (AD, FTD, MCI, and vascular contributions and prodromes to the listed diseases)

Program opens: Currently Open
LOI deadline: April 1, 2019

Rapid Response: Canada 2019

Seed funding (up to $300,000 over up to 18 months) for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research projects on neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Preliminary data is not required. Other lifestyle interventions are now eligible for funding if they meet our other scope criteria and there is specific supportive evidence/justification to warrant further investigation. Cycles of this program will run back-to-back going forward.

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases (PD, PSP, DLB, MSA, prodromes, and vascular contributions to the listed diseases)
Note: The program dates have been extended. The deadline for LOIs is now May 15, 2019.

Program opens: Currently Open
LOI deadline: May 15, 2019

Genome Canada has announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams Program. This program aims to facilitate collaborations and dialogue among researchers and other key stakeholders to ensure effective and responsible translation of innovative genomics applications into sectors capable of transformation by genomics advances.

This program will support teams of researchers from diverse disciplines to address issues at the intersection of genomics and society. Research teams of at least three researchers from different disciplines investigating the advancement, adoption, evaluation, and governance of genomics research are encouraged to apply.