CBRS News

  • UPCOMING EVENT: Advocacy Training Workshop for Researchers – SECOND SESSION ADDED!
    Join our virtual Advocacy Training Workshop for Canadian researchers and gain the insights, tools, and skills to effectively advocate and shape the future of brain research in our country. SECOND SESSION ADDED — By popular demand Date and Time: TBD Sign up now to be notified: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024 CBRS has made significant strides to position brain […]
  • The Globe & Mail: Key Voices in Brain Health and Research Offer Strategy to Cement Canadian Leadership
    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 […]
  • Science & Research Parliamentary Committee: CBRS Submission on Integrating Indigenous Traditional Knowledges and Science
    In response to a study by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science & Research (SRSR Committee) on how best to integrate Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and science into government policy development, CBRS submitted a policy brief on, “Immersing and Utilizing Indigenous Knowledges in Policy to Bridge Brain Science with the Future“. The brief states: […]
  • Budget 2024 Consultations: CBRS Submission to the Department of Finance Canada
    In our pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance Canada for Budget 2024, we argue for, “Brain Research: The cornerstone for Canada’s future social-economic wealth.” CBRS, alongside its broad network of stakeholders, recommends the following: That the Government of Canada make research on the brain and mental health a national priority with targeted investment towards […]
  • Research Canada — Policy Discussion and Networking Event
    Andrew Manitowabi (Mamaateshiins) represented CBRS in a Stakeholder Action Roundtable organized by Research Canada in Ottawa, joining stakeholders across the health research and innovation ecosystem, including key voices from industry, government, postsecondary, civil service, charitable, and research sectors to align our advocacy efforts and effectively strategize for the future. The day featured nineteen speakers representing […]
  • Two-Eyed Seeing Through Compound Eyes — Virtual Workshop
    [UPDATE] The primary goal for this workshop was to initiate dialogue on developing relationships and concrete solutions for brain health research with Indigenous Peoples. We had a tremendous response to our panelists and discussion. Thank you to the more than 120 participants — researchers, funders, institutions, Indigenous community members, and health service organizations — took […]
  • CERVO Brain Research Centre Scientific Day 2023
    As part of CBRS’s outreach activities, Dr. Jennie Z. Young spoke at the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City as part of their annual end-of-year conference. Students, trainees, research associates, early career researchers and senior scientists shared the culmination of a year’s developments in neuroscience, though talks, posters, and networking opportunities. Dr. Young spoke […]
  • UNIQUE — A Celebration of Neuro-AI Research
    The Quebec Research Center in Neuro-AI (UNIQUE Center) held a year-end event in Montreal to share recent advancements and current excitement in the field of Neuro-AI and to celebrate the successes of the UNIQUE Centre since its launch in 2019. Dr. Jennie Z. Young was invited to deliver opening remarks on the significance of Neuroscience-AI […]
  • Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms 2023 Conference: Panel Presentation
    In a panel discussion at the 2023 Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms conference, Dr. Jennie Z. Young spoke on the pivotal role of scientific platforms in advancing brain research in Canada. Panelists in the “Accelerating Science Through Scientific Platforms” session included: CERVO/Azrieli keynote speaker: Dr. Renee Whan – Head of the Biomedical Imaging Facility University […]
  • Canadian Science Policy Centre 2023 Conference: Panel Presentation
    At the annual Canadian Science Policy Centre conference, CBRS convened a panel on the transformative potential of brain research. Panelists discussed the urgent need to harness Canada’s expertise in brain research to address pressing global challenges related to neurological disorders, brain injuries, mental illness, and addiction, highlighting the implications for individual health, societal well-being, and […]
  • 2023 CBRS Annual Leadership Meetings
    The CBRS Annual Leadership meetings on October, 31 and November 8, 2023 brought together more than 40 directors of Canadian brain and mental health research institutes, early- and mid-career researcher leaders, Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group, and patient representatives. Together, the CBRS leadership engaged in reflection, strategic priority discussions for the upcoming year, and ongoing engagement […]
  • 2023 Annual Funders’ Coalition Meeting
    The CBRS Funders’ Coalition gathered for its third annual meeting on October 30th, 2023 over Zoom. This meeting brought together 21 representatives of 20 research funding organizations in the brain and mental health ecosystem, including local, provincial and federal entities, health charities and other non-profits, industry partners, and private foundations. The organizations in the coalition […]
  • 2023 Early-to-Mid Career Researchers Meetings
    Following the direction of CBRS Leadership, early- and mid-career researchers (E-MCR) have played a pivotal role in shaping our national brain research strategy from the outset. Through two workshops in fall 2020, E-MCR from across the country contributed invaluable insights that led to the key principles in our national strategy, centred around collaborative, transdisciplinary, and […]
  • Science Summit @ UN General Assembly 78: Brain Capital Building—Brain Deals To Meet SDGs by 2030 
    Dr. Jennie Z. Young was invited to attend a conference at the Science Summit of the 78th United Nations General Assembly on “Brain Capital,” a concept that emphasizes the importance of brain health and brain skills to accomplish the world’s socio-economic objectives. This event drew experts from various disciplines, from brain and mental health, education, […]
  • Science Summit @ UN General Assembly 78: European Brain Council—Brain Health & Research Day
    Dr. Jennie Z. Young was invited by the European Brain Council to join representatives from brain and mental health research organizations from around the world at the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly 78 to solidify global policy efforts in brain research. This meeting builds on progress made in the inaugural Global Partnerships Event […]
  • Budget 2024 Consultations: CBRS Submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee
    In our pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee (FINA) for Budget 2024, we argue for “Brain Research: The cornerstone for Canada’s future social-economic wealth” CBRS, alongside its broad network of stakeholders, recommends the following: That the Government of Canada make research on the brain and mental health a national priority with targeted […]
  • CAN 2023 Advocacy Lunch: Stronger together—Building capacity for a Brain Moonshot in Canada
    At the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) 16th Meeting, brain researcher leaders including Dr. Jennie Z. Young, executive director of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS), came together to discuss opportunities to work together to increase and sustain funding for brain research in Canada, including through a Canadian brain initiative. The panelists were: Dr. Adriana […]
  • MCCHE Precision Convergence Series Webinar: Modelling Trajectories of Brain Health & Aging
    CBRS joined a discussion on leveraging science, technology, on-the-ground action and policy to solve global problems including understanding the brain in health, disease and aging. Keynote speaker Randy McIntosh, PhD, professor of neuroscience at Simon Fraser University kicked off the event with a presentation on modelling trajectories in brain health and aging. His research program […]
  • European Brain Council — Global Partnerships Event
    For Brain Awareness Week 2023, Dr. Jennie Z. Young was invited to join brain research stakeholders from around the world at a high-level, international event in Brussels, Belgium, organised by the European Brain Council in collaboration with the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO). Meeting attendees included representatives […]
  • Indigenous Engagement To Shape The National Strategy
    Over the past 8 months, CBRS Indigenous Initiatives has been actively engaging with Indigenous perspectives to ensure their voices are central in shaping Canada’s national brain research strategy. Recognizing the historical silencing of Indigenous voices within colonial structures, CBRS acknowledges the importance of amplifying Indigenous perspectives to enrich brain research. As CBRS aims to foster […]
  • Brain Repair Centre 2023 Research Day & University Town Hall with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
    At Dalhousie’s Brain Repair Centre’s Research Day, Dr. Jennie Z. Young represented CBRS in a panel discussion on support for neuroscience research in Canada, including funding sustainability and future challenges and opportunities. She also took part in a University Town Hall with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on health care and health systems policy. The panelists […]
  • Budget 2023 Consultations: CBRS Submission to the Department of Finance Canada
    In our pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance Canada for Budget 2023, we argue that, “Brain Research Must Be a National Priority for the Social, Health, and Economic Advancement of Canada.” CBRS, alongside its broad network of stakeholders, recommends the following: That the Government of Canada make research on the brain and mental health […]
  • Dr. Jennie Z. Young appears before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Science & Research
    Dr. Jennie Z. Young, the Executive Director of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS), was invited to appear before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Science & Research (SRSR Committee) on January 31st, 2022. Dr. Young spoke on the enormous societal challenge and urgent need to understand the brain – in health, […]
  • 2022 CBRS Leadership Retreat — Quebec City
    The leadership of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) gathered at the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City for a retreat on November 21-22, 2022, to focus on shaping a national research strategy for brain and mental health. This meeting brought together leaders in brain and mental health research from across the country, including […]
  • 2022 Annual Funders’ Coalition Meeting
    The CBRS Funders’ Coalition gathered for its second annual meeting, bringing together 25 representatives of 24 research funding organizations in the brain and mental health ecosystem, including local, provincial and federal entities, health charities and other non-profits, industry partners, and private foundations. The organizations in the coalition represent more than 1,300 grants and $340 million […]
  • Budget 2023 Consultations: CBRS Submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee
    In our pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee (FINA) for Budget 2023, we argue that, “Brain Research Must Be a National Priority for the Social, Health, and Economic Advancement of Canada.” CBRS, alongside its broad network of stakeholders, recommends the following: That the Government of Canada make research on the brain and […]
  • Recruitment for CBRS Indigenous Engagement Sessions
    Background Indigenous Initiatives are a critical part of CBRS to ensure that the unique interests and perspectives of the diverse groups of Indigenous Peoples of Canada are acknowledged, upheld, and implemented throughout all aspects of our work as we build a national strategy for brain research.  Amplifying the unique and diverse voices of Indigenous peoples […]
  • Newsletter: Brain Research Must Be a National Priority for Canada
    Brain Research Must Be a National Priority for Canada Our brains define who we are, how we behave, what we strive for, and how we interact with each other and our environments. Because our brains are so integral to our capacities to live good lives, brain research bears the promise to improve the lives of […]
  • Welcome new team member Haniya Javed
    Haniya Javed, MS, is the Science Communicator at the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, where she plays a key role in engaging stakeholders across the broad neuroscience and mental health research ecosystem for the CBRS. Ms. Javed manages internal and external communications and authors CBRS public-facing materials, research, and briefings. Throughout her decade-long career working in newsrooms […]
  • Welcome new team member Joseph Olajide
    Joseph Olajide, PhD, is the Program Manager at the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, where he serves as an organizational and analytical partner in convening internal and external stakeholders. Dr. Olajide brings a passion for advocating for brain science and mental health across all strata of society. He has been engaged in international brain awareness outreach […]
  • Lived Experience Sessions To Shape The National Strategy
    The CBRS is building a collective national strategy to inspire and guide the Canadian government to invest in a major brain research initiative. As CBRS engages various groups of experts to inform the strategy, incorporating the voices of people who live with or have experienced a brain condition and those who support them is of […]
  • Researcher Roundtables To Shape The National Strategy
    CBRS is crafting a series of position papers to inspire and to guide the government to invest in a major brain research initiative for Canada. To this end, we convened more than 150 neuroscience and mental health researchers across the country in a series of virtual roundtable discussions last fall and in May 2022 to […]
  • Shape the future of brain research in Canada!
    Share your lived experience to inform the Canadian Brain Research Strategy The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is looking for 30-40 people with lived experience with brain conditions to include their feedback into the development of the strategy. CBRS and its partners recommend that Canada establish a national brain research initiative to benefit the neurological […]
  • Welcome new team member Andrew Manitowabi
    Andrew Manitowabi, BA, BBA is the Indigenous Strategy Consultant for Brain Wellness, where he seeks to incorporate the duality of Indigeneity and Western being into advocating with underrepresented, vulnerable, and disadvantaged Indigenous peoples. Guiding and learning from the Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group is key to ensure meaningful, authentic, and transformative evolution occurs to achieve the vision set […]
  • Science & Research Parliamentary Committee: CBRS Submission on Successes, Challenges and Opportunities for Science in Canada
    Our brains define who we are, how we behave, what we strive for, and how we interact with each other and our environments. Because our brains are so integral to our capacities to live good lives, brain research has the promise to improve the lives of all Canadians. We are at a critical inflection point […]
  • Continuing Our Momentum into 2022
    As we launch into 2022, we at CBRS are energized by what we have accomplished together in the past year, in this new phase of the initiative. Thank you all for this tremendous start as we work towards our main objective: To inspire the government to invest in a major brain research initiative for Canada. […]
  • Canadian Science Policy Conference 2021: A Canadian BRAIN Initiative?
    The CBRS organized a panel discussion titled, “A Canadian BRAIN Initiative?” at the Canadian Science Policy Conference on November 25th, 2021. In 2016, the science academies from 14 nations, including Canada, declared: The human brain is civilization’s most precious resource. Investment in brain science is, therefore, an investment in the future of society, and nations […]
  • 2021 Research Funders’ Roundtable
    CBRS held a Research Funders’ Roundtable with the aim of connecting funders of brain research to articulate shared needs and vision, as well as to explore synergistic collaborations in shaping the national strategy for brain research. The meeting, held virtually over Zoom, convened 21 heads of organizations funding neuroscience and mental health research across the […]
  • Canadian Symposium for Computational Neuroscience: “A Framework for Neuroscience-AI in the Canadian Brain Research Strategy.”
    Neuroscience-AI is one of six transformative initiatives in the emerging Canadian strategy for brain research. CBRS will be hosting a Q&A session, led by Executive Director Dr. Jennie Young and Dr. Karim Jerbi, lead of the Neuroscience-AI transformative initiative, at the first annual Canadian Symposium for Computation on October 27th, 2021 at 10am PT / 1pm ET […]
  • A Call for a Neurological Strategy for Canada
    The Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is a coalition of organizations that represent millions of Canadians living with neurological diseases, disorders and injuries. The NHCC is a key long-term partner of CBRS in engaging with patients and ensuring representation as we build a collective vision for brain research and societal impact. The NHCC have recently […]
  • International Brain Initiative: The Future of Large-Scale Collaboration
    On October 12th, the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) and the International Brain Initiative (IBI) will be hosting a workshop to discuss the future of international neuroscience collaborations. Incoming Chair of the IBI Strategy Committee and CBRS Chair of the Steering Committee, Yves De Koninck, is set to participate as Canada’s IBI […]
  • Canadian Symposium for Computational Neuroscience: A Framework for Neuroscience-AI in the Canadian Brain Research Strategy
    Neuroscience-AI is one of six Strategic Priorities in the emerging Canadian strategy for brain research.  CBRS is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Q&A session at the first annual Canadian Symposium for Computation on October 27th, 2021 at 10am PT / 1pm ET titled “A Framework for Neuroscience-AI in the Canadian Brain Research […]
  • CAN-ACN Meeting 2021 — CBRS Townhall
    [UPDATE] Thank you to the more than 100 attendees who came to our Townhall and and to those who shared your thoughts on how Canada distinguishes itself in our approach to neuroscience! We appreciate your insights and input as we continue to shape a national strategy for brain research. Please click here for more information on […]
  • CBRS Leadership — Strategic Planning Meeting
    On June 29th, a strategic planning meeting was organized by the CBRS Secretariat with the aim to unite and translate the vision for a national brain research strategy into action. The meeting, held virtually over Zoom, was well attended, with almost 50 participants from our Conference of Neuroscience Leaders, cluster of early career researchers (ECR), […]
  • Indigenous Initiatives Workshop
    CBRS held an Indigenous Initiatives Workshop on June 28th, 2021. Including the voices of Indigenous peoples is of paramount importance as we work to forge a unified national strategy for brain research that will benefit all Canadians. In June, CBRS held its first Indigenous Initiatives Workshop with the aim to raise points of consideration and action for […]
  • CBRS Indigenous Initiatives — Initial Workshop
    CBRS held its first Indigenous Initiatives Workshop on June 28, 2021 with the aim to raise points of consideration and action for the Canadian Brain Research Strategy Indigenous Initiatives. The meeting, held virtually over Zoom, brought together more than 60 participants – Indigenous researchers in neuroscience and other fields, non-Indigenous researchers working with Indigenous populations, […]
  • The Canadian Brain Research Strategy: A Focus on Early Career Researchers
    The CBRS embarked on envisioning the future of brain research in Canada through two workshops held in August and September 2020, involving 48 early career researchers (ECR) from across the country. These ECR, nominated by CBRS Research Leaders and predominantly Assistant Professors, represented a balanced mix of genders and fields of brain and mental health […]
  • Dr. Jennie Z. Young appointed Executive Director for the Canadian Brain Research Strategy
    Executive summary: The appointment of Dr. Jennie Z. Young as Executive Director of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy marks a new phase in the development of this initiative which aims to link brain research initiatives and projects, public and private funders, and patient organizations across Canada in a uniquely collaborative effort that will push the […]
  • US Congress Passes Budget Bill: NIH BRAIN Initiative Receives $60M in Additional Funds for Fiscal Year 2021
    John Ngai, Ph.D. Director of the NIH BRAIN Initiative recently shared the following news: The recently authorized Omnibus Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2021 provides $42.9 billion for NIH, an increase of $1.25 billion (or 1.5%) above fiscal year 2020. This appropriation includes $560 million for the NIH BRAIN Initiative, a $60 million increase over […]
  • The Canadian Brain Strategy featured in the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Annual Report
    The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Annual Report includes a feature on Judy Illes and her work with the Canadian Brain Research Strategy team When it comes to studying the brain, it’s essential to consider the many ethical questions that often arise. Neuroethics Canada is a research group that’s part of the DMCBH and […]
  • $1.5 million to develop a Canadian brain research strategy
    A pan-Canadian team of researchers has secured a $1.5 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to develop a strategy to position the advancement of knowledge about the brain as a national research priority and support the creation of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy Network. This network will coordinate Canada’s participation in the […]