Category: CBRS News

On November 7, 2024, CBRS Executive Director, Dr. Jennie Z. Young was called to deliver testimony before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR). The session focused on reshaping Canada’s research funding ecosystem through the proposed Capstone organization, announced in Budget 2024. 

The Capstone aims to bring more coordination, cohesion and agility to Canada’s federal research funding system, integrating the efforts of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Dr. Young emphasized that the Capstone could foster collaboration, bridge funding gaps, and enable  multidisciplinary research to tackle urgent and complex challenges, including brain and mental health research.  

“One of the capstone’s foundational aims is to support multidisciplinary research, which is essential as the scientific landscape evolves and challenges grow more complex. This focus is especially crucial in a frontier field like brain and mental health research, where its intersection with artificial intelligence puts it somewhere between CIHR and NSERC, and with the importance of psychology and other social sciences, it means that brain research often falls outside the mandates of our existing funding agencies. This challenge illustrates why we need an overarching organization like the Capstone to bridge gaps and ensure that particularly complex ones like brain research isn’t left without sufficient support,” said Dr. Young. 

She also highlighted the importance of long-term, stable, and flexible funding mechanisms to support innovative research and collaboration. She called on policymakers to seize the opportunity to strengthen Canada’s research infrastructure..   

“My understanding of the Capstone is that it’s really supposed to do something extra, on top [of the granting councils],” said Dr. Young during her testimony. “[In Canada,] we do have that unique superpower of being able to collaborate, and it requires infrastructure and resources to support it.” 

Dr. Young’s testimony reinforced the alignment between the CBRS’s vision and the Capstone’s goals: fostering collaboration, bridging funding gaps, and enhancing agility in Canada’s research funding system. With these priorities, CBRS is optimistic about the Capstone’s potential to amplify brain and mental health research and position Canada as a global leader in brain health innovation. 

Watch Dr. Young’s testimony

Read her opening remarks.

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) has partnered with the Canadian Science Policy Centre to publish a series of seven editorials exploring the transformative potential of brain and mental health research in Canada. Drawing on insights from national and international thought leaders, the series highlights strategic opportunities to address critical health challenges, drive innovation, and position Canada as a global leader in brain research and care.

The series offers policymakers, researchers, and those with an interest in science and health policy a roadmap for action and critical, informed perspectives on the future of brain and mental health research. It underscores the need for a coordinated national approach to unlock the potential of this vital field for the benefit of all Canadians.

Editorials:

• Canada Must Act Now to Address the Brain Health Emergency
  Urgent action is needed to combat the health, social and economic impacts of neurological and mental health disorders facing all Canadians—from childhood to old age.
  Authors: Laura Dickson, Dr. James Reynolds, Dr. Allison B. Sekuler, Lindsay Borthwick

• Canada’s Moment: Building a National Brain Research Initiative
  A broad coalition of stakeholders is united behind a vision for a national brain and mental health research strategy.
  Authors: Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Dr. Brie Linkenhoker, Lindsay Borthwick

• Braiding Indigenous Knowledges into Brain Health Research: A Holistic Perspective
  Canada’s current approaches to brain health and mental wellness face critical gaps that hinder our ability to fully understand and address these complex issues.
  Authors: Mamaateshiins (Andrew Manitowabi), Dr. Jennie Z. Young

• Why Brain and Mental Health Research Can Be Canada’s Next Innovation Engine
  Charting a path to a brain-healthy future is both urgent and essential.
  Authors: Dr. Michael D. Hill, Dr. Cédric Bisson, Lindsay Borthwick

• Canada Must Rethink How It Trains and Retains Brain Researchers
  To lead in neuroscience and tackle urgent health challenges, Canada must invest in innovative training and create varied, sustainable career pathways for young scientists.
  Authors: Dr. Caroline Ménard, Dr. Javeria Hashmi, Lindsay Borthwick

• Network Effect: Elevating Brain Research Through Greater Collaboration with People with Lived Experience
  To understand and treat the brain, Canada must draw on lived experience at every stage of the research process.
  Authors: Saskia Kwan, Dave Gallson, Dr. Jennie Z. Young

• Brain Science is the Foundation of the Brain Economy Transformation
  Profound economic transitions are on the horizon, offering the potential to unlock greater socio-economic sustainability, productivity, and well-being.
  Authors: Dr. Harris Eyre, Dr. Agustin Ibanez, Frederic Destrebecq, Dr. Michael L. Platt, Dr. Julian Karaguesian

Read the full editorial series online at sciencepolicy.ca

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) submitted a policy brief in support of Bill C-277 to establish a National Strategy on Brain Injuries. Introduced by MP Alistair MacGregor and backed by Brain Injury Canada, this bill represents a crucial step toward a coordinated approach to addressing the significant and growing impact of brain injuries on Canadians.   

Brain injuries, whether traumatic (e.g., from accidents) or acquired (e.g., strokes), affect individuals at every stage of life and often intersect with broader social challenges like homelessness and intimate partner violence. Untreated brain injuries can have devastating consequences, underscoring the need for an integrated approach that addresses both medical and societal impacts.

The proposed National Strategy for Brain Injuries aims to: 

• Increase awareness, education, and public understanding of brain injuries. 
• Establish national guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of brain injuries.  
• Promote research and improve data collection on the incidence and treatment of brain injuries.  

CBRS is committed to advancing a holistic Canadian Brain Research Initiative that integrates research and care across brain and mental health. Targeted strategies like the National Brain Injury Strategy not only address specific challenges but also strengthen Canada’s broader brain health ecosystem.

By supporting Bill C-277, CBRS is advocating for a future where Canadians living with brain injuries receive the care, support, and resources they need to thrive.

Read the Policy Brief here.  

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) proudly represented Canada at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) Science Summit’s Brain Days, held in New York City from September 19 to 20, 2024. CBRS joined global leaders to elevate brain health as a critical priority on the international policy agenda.

These meetings play a key role in shaping national science priorities by setting the agenda for governments worldwide. CBRS’s participation underscores Canada’s commitment to connecting its brain research and brain health initiatives with global efforts to address the significant and growing challenges posed by neurological conditions and mental illnesses.

Organized by the European Brain Council (EBC), Brain Capital Alliance, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and UNICEF, Brain Days brought together thought leaders from scientific, clinical, economic, and industry sectors. Participants highlighted the indispensable role of brain health in daily life and societal well-being and called for increased investment in brain research and care globally.

CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young participated in discussions alongside these global leaders, emphasizing the need for Canada to engage internationally while advancing domestic initiatives like a Canadian Brain Research Initiative. Estimates suggest that more than 3.4 billion people worldwide live with a neurological condition. In Canada, the situation is no different: Neurological disorders, brain injuries, mental illnesses, and addictions impact more than 7.5 million people, or  1 in 5 Canadians.

The 2024 event built on the previous year’s Call to Action, which urged the UN and its Member States  to address disparities in brain health research, care, and infrastructure. Key recommendations included fostering National Brain Plans to enable comprehensive strategies that promote health and combat brain diseases across the lifespan. 

The consensus is clear: There is no sustainable development without health. No health without brain health. 

As global momentum grows, Canada must prioritize brain health. CBRS’s unified vision for brain and mental health research provides a roadmap to strengthen Canada’s contributions to international efforts, advance innovation, and address the urgent challenges posed by brain and mental health conditions.

Read more about Brain Days at the Science Summit of the 79th UNGA

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) was honoured to host MP Valerie Bradford, Chair of the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR), at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) in Toronto to discuss the future of  brain and mental health research in Canada.

The event featured presentations by leading researchers, including: 

• Dr. Allison Sekuler, President and Chief Scientist, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) 
• Dr. Neil Vasdev, Director, Brain Health Imaging Centre Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) (representing Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, Vice President and Director of the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute) 
• Dr. Don Mabbott, Program Head, Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) 
• Dr. Doug Crawford, Director, Centre for Integrative and Applied Neuroscience, York University,
• Dr. Jaideep Bains, Director, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN).

Their insights underscored the need for strategic investment and policy support to unlock the full potential of Canadian brain research.

By fostering dialogue between policymakers and scientists, this briefing allowed MP Bradford to witness firsthand the transformative impact of brain research and its importance in addressing Canada’s aging population and mental health challenges. For researchers, it was an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, helping bridge the gap between scientific innovation and public policy.

CBRS is grateful to MP Bradford for her leadership on the SRSR Committee and her commitment to championing science and innovation. MP research centre briefings like these are crucial for ensuring brain and mental health research remains a national priority, ultimately improving the lives of Canadians.

These visits are a cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, ensuring that brain and mental health research remains a priority in Canada’s policy agenda while fostering trust and shared insights between policymakers and the research community.

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) submitted a recommendation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) as part of the pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2025 federal budget. 

The submission — “Brain Research: The cornerstone for Canada’s future social-economic wealth” — calls for the Government of Canada to “make research on brain and mental health a national priority with stable, targeting funding for the creation of a Canadian Brain Research Initiative by investing $100 million over five years.”  

This initiative would unite researchers, clinicians, Indigenous Knowledge Holders, people with lived experience, health charities, research funders, industry and other stakeholders across Canada to address the growing prevalence and economic burden of brain disorders, mental illnesses, and neurological conditions. 

The submission states:

“By fostering collaboration and advancing innovative research, this investment will enable Canada to lead globally in brain health research while improving outcomes for millions of Canadians”  

This funding was one of the recommendations of the Standing House of Commons Committee on Finance (FINA) for the 2025 Budget (Recommendation #131). 

Read the Policy Brief.

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) recently contributed to the federal government’s consultation on the proposed Capstone research funding organization. Designed to “modernize and coordinate” Canada’s research ecosystem, the Capstone seeks to strengthen interdisciplinary, mission-driven, and international research to address complex societal challenges such as climate change and health emergencies.

In its submission, CBRS outlined how the Capstone could transform Canadian brain and mental health research. Brain disorders, including dementia and mental illnesses, affect over 7.5 million Canadians, creating an urgent need for a coordinated, long-term research strategy. With its emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches, the Capstone is uniquely positioned to support research that spans traditional boundaries, such as neuro-AI and computational neuroscience—fields that are often underserved by existing funding structures.

CBRS emphasized key principles for the Capstone’s success:

• Sustained and secure funding to ensure long-term research viability.
• Autonomy for Canada’s granting councils to uphold peer-reviewed, investigator-driven research.
• Preservation of critical health research linkages, ensuring integration between health and research priorities.

The submission also highlighted the need for transdisciplinary training and stable funding for research and technical staff—critical for driving innovation and fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.

As a pan-Canadian initiative representing a broad spectrum of research stakeholders, CBRS recognizes the Capstone’s potential to position Canada as a global leader in brain and mental health research. With robust governance and dedicated funding, the Capstone could catalyze breakthroughs that improve the lives of millions of Canadians.

Read our Capstone submission

Join our virtual Advocacy Training Workshop for researchers and gain the insights, tools, and skills to effectively advocate and shape the future of brain and mental health research in our country.

Date: Thursday, June 20th, 2024
Time: 11:30am – 1:0opm PT / 2:30pm – 4:00pm ET
Sign up now: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

CBRS has made significant strides to position brain research as a top scientific priority in our country but we need members of the research community to raise their voice – trainees, research staff, and PIs at all career stages – to represent all the essential components of the scientific endeavor.

The workshop is designed to help researchers:

• Develop effective communication strategies
• Practical skills session with experienced science communicators
• Understand the government decision-making process
• Access customizable advocacy materials and resources
• Drive impact in a unified advocacy campaign

The focus will be a hands-on practical skills session, led by experienced science communicators, to craft impactful advocacy letters and narratives.

Researchers at all career stages are welcome! No prior experience required!

Let’s shape the future of brain research in Canada together. Register: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

Join our upcoming virtual Advocacy Training Workshop for researchers and gain the insights, tools, and skills to effectively advocate and shape the future of brain and mental health research in our country.

Join us virtually on Thursday, March 14^th, 2024
from 11:00am – 12:30pm PT / 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET.
Reserve your spot now: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

CBRS has made significant strides to position brain research as a top scientific priority in our country but we need members of the research community to raise their voice – trainees, research staff, and PIs at all career stages – to represent all the essential components of the scientific endeavor.

The workshop is designed to help researchers:

• Gain insights into government decision-making and how to effectively engage with elected officials
• Develop tailored communication strategies for diverse audiences to convey the importance of their research
• Access customizable materials and resources to support their advocacy efforts

The focus will be a hands-on practical skills session, led by experienced science communicators, to craft impactful advocacy letters and narratives.

Researchers at all career stages are welcome! No prior experience required!

Let’s shape the future of brain research in Canada together. Register: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

The CBRS was featured in an editorial within The Globe & Mail’s Brain Awareness Week Report, shedding light on the imperative for a unified national strategy to uphold Canada’s leadership in brain health and research.

The editorial highlights the innovative approach to brain and mental health research investments in our national research strategy, aiming to leverage Canadian strengths and foster global competitiveness. Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Executive Director of CBRS, emphasizes the urgency of a holistic approach to brain health and research, stressing the interconnectedness of brain disorders and the need for unified efforts.

The framework of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy prioritizes strengthening the brain research ecosystem nationwide, advocating for long-term, stable and flexible funding to support a skilled workforce and infrastructure for research and translation efforts. Dr. Young emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing, calling for investments not only in research grants but also in coordination and infrastructure to maximize impact.

Yes, we absolutely need more research grants. At the same time, we also need more investments not tied to a certain centre, project or research topic – investments in co-ordination, research support personnel and other forms of infrastructure that enable more collaboration and sharing of skills and knowledge.

– Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Executive Director, CBRS

The ultimate goal is a sustainable, world-class ecosystem for brain research similar to those for artificial intelligence and quantum technologies that have been back by government in recent years.

The CBRS was further highlighted through a collaborative effort, with special thanks to individuals from the Heart & Stroke, Ontario Brain Institute, Kids Brain Health Network, CIHR Institute of Aging, and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging who generously volunteered their time and expertise to craft an accompanying advertisement.

Read the editorial in The Globe & Mail here.
Download the print layout here.