The building of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy
Research Canada — Policy Discussion and Networking Event
2024-02-08
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…
Read moreTwo-Eyed Seeing Through Compound Eyes — Virtual Workshop
2024-01-18
The Two-Eyed Seeing Through Compound Eyes Workshop was held on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, as a culmination of our collective efforts, aims to convene, connect, and chart a path forward regarding research possibilities with Indigenous communities. This workshop is part of our ongoing Indigenous Initiatives, which aims to foster a…
Read moreCSPC Conference Panel — Brain Research: The cornerstone for Canada’s future social-economic wealth
2023-11-13
At the annual Canadian Science Policy Centre conference, CBRS convened a panel on the transformative potential of brain research. Panelists discussed the current state of brain research in Canada and globally and the need for a coordinated and strategic approach with government support to realize this potential. They panelists were:…
Read more2023 CBRS Annual Leadership Meetings
2023-11-08
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…
Read more2023 Annual Funders’ Coalition Meeting
2023-10-30
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….
Read more2023 Early-to-Mid Career Researchers Meeting
2023-10-26
During 2023, CBRS hosted two meetings to bring together E-MCR from diverse backgrounds across Canada. These gatherings emphasize the crucial role and ongoing engagement of E-MCR in shaping the vision for a collaborative, and open ecosystem for brain research nationwide. The insights garnered and the Committees established during these meetings…
Read moreScience Summit @ UN General Assembly 78: European Brain Council—Brain Health & Research Day
2023-09-18
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…
Read moreEuropean Brain Council — Global Partnerships Event
2023-03-16
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…
Read moreIndigenous Engagement To Shape The National Strategy
2023-03-10
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….
Read moreDr. Jennie Z. Young appears before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Science & Research
2023-01-31
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…
Read more2022 CBRS Leadership Retreat — Quebec City
2022-11-22
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…
Read more2022 Annual Funders’ Coalition Meeting
2022-11-01
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…
Read moreLived Experience Sessions To Shape The National Strategy
2022-06-24
CBRS held a series of Lived Experience Sessions in May-June 2022 with people with lived experience (PWLE) to discuss emerging themes for how to improve brain research in Canada and to gain their input on the development of the national strategy. CBRS received an overwhelming 161 applications from across Canada…
Read moreResearcher Roundtables To Shape The National Strategy
2022-05-21
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 brainstorm a framework for a national strategy for brain research. Participants came from various career stages (from trainees to full professors) and trajectories…
Read moreCanadian Science Policy Conference 2021 — A Canadian BRAIN Initiative?
2021-11-18
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…
Read more2021 CBRS Research Funders’ Roundtable
2021-10-25
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…
Read moreCAN-ACN Meeting 2021 — CBRS Townhall
2021-08-25
The CBRS hosted a virtual Townhall at the 2021 CAN-ACN Meeting, engaging with the wider Canadian neuroscience community in understanding more about the CBRS and the developing national strategy for brain research. More than 100 attendees came to our Townhall and and to share thoughts on how Canada distinguishes itself in…
Read moreCBRS Leadership — Strategic Planning Meeting
2021-06-29
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…
Read moreCBRS Indigenous Initiatives — Initial Workshop
2021-06-28
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…
Read moreThe Canadian Brain Research Strategy: A Focus on Early Career Researchers
2021-04-27
Two early career researcher workshops in fall 2020 culminated in a paper titled “The Canadian Brain Research Strategy: A Focus on Early Career Researchers” published today in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. This document outlined a visionary framework for the future of brain research in Canada, emphasizing three key…
Read moreFirst Meeting of the Indigenous Knowledge Holders Group
2021-04-12
This initial meeting of the Indigenous Knowledge Holder’s Group (IKHG) convened the CBRS Secretariat and the IKHG membership to discuss the overarching goals of the CBRS, ongoing efforts in Indigenous Initiatives and engagement, and proposed programs to engage with Indigenous researchers and Indigenous youth. CBRS is proud to announce the…
Read moreDr. Jennie Z. Young appointed Executive Director for the Canadian Brain Research Strategy
2021-03-11
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…
Read moreCBRS Retreat
2020-12-03
We convened the Conference of Research Leaders, nominated Early Career Researchers, and invited stakeholders, to discuss CBRS operations, hear from keynote speakers on multidisciplinary neuroscience and open science. We gain their insights on Canadian Neuroscience on the global scale to inform the future programmatic priorities of the CBRS. Key themes…
Read moreMeeting with the Pan-Canadian Neurotechnology Ethics Collaboration (PCNEC) Group
2020-11-02
Participants: CBRS Secretariat Yves de Koninck, PhD, Professor, Laval University Judy Illes, CM, PhD, Professor, University of British Columbia Caroline Menard, PhD, Assistant Professor, Laval University Marianne Bacani, Events Director, University of British Columbia Caterina Marra, BSc, Research Assistant, University of British Columbia PCNEC Group Allison Bethune, Research Manager, Sunnybrook…
Read moreEquity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Meeting
2020-10-01
List of Meeting Participants Secretariat Yves de Koninck, PhD, Professor, Laval University Judy Illes, CM, PhD, Professor, University of British Columbia Caroline Menard, PhD, Assistant Professor, Laval University EDI Cluster John Douglas Crawford, PhD, Professor, York University Ravi S. Menon, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC, Professor, Western University Lisa M. Saksida, PhD,…
Read moreCBRS Early Career Researcher Workshop 2
2020-09-02
List of Meeting Participants Program Leaders Dr. Yves de Koninck, Laval University Dr. Judy Illes, University of British Columbia Dr. Caroline Menard, Laval University Early Career Researchers Mark Brandon, McGill University Blake Butler, Western University Craig Chapman, University of Alberta Katrina Y. Choe, McMaster University Jonathon Ditlev, SickKids Jodi Edwards,…
Read moreCBRS Early Career Researchers Workshop 1
2020-08-27
Meeting participants Program Leaders Dr. Yves de Koninck, Laval University Dr. Judy Illes, University of British Columbia Dr. Caroline Menard, Laval University Dr. Rose Bagot, McGill University Dr. Corey Baron, Western University Dr. Mark Cembroski, University of British Columbia Dr. Annie Ciernia, University of British Columbia Dr. Tamara Franklin,…
Read moreMeeting of CBRS Leadership & NHCC Governing Council
2020-08-24
Patient Engagement Strategy Planning meeting with NHCC Governing Council participants Michelle McDonald, NHCC chair Kent Bassett-Spiers, NHCC treasurer Bev Heim-Myers Stefanie Ince Susan Marshall, NHCC vice-chair Deanna Groetzinger, Staff CBRS Leadership participants Dr. Yves de Koninck, CBRS Chair Dr. Judy Illes, CBRS co-chair (first 30 minutes) Dr. Caroline Menard View…
Read moreMeeting of CBRS leaders
2020-07-31
A meeting of Research leaders of CBRS was held virtually on July 30th, 2020. It was an opportunity to discuss and define the direction of the CBRS for the coming year. Meeting notes are available here List of Meeting Participants Program Leaders Yves de Koninck, PhD, Professor, Laval University Judy…
Read more$1.5 million to develop a Canadian brain research strategy
2020-06-18
Press release 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…
Read moreCanada represented at International Brain Initiative Meeting in La Jolla
2018-11-02
CBRS leader Yves De Koninck attended the International Brain Initiative Meeting in La Jolla California. Read about this meeting on the IBI website
Read moreConsensus meeting of leaders of Canadian neuroscience institutes | Halifax
2018-09-15
Fourth meeting in Halifax (September 2018), bringing together representatives of neuroscience programs and major initiatives from coast to coast. The participants agreed on overarching programs to propose for CBRS and a path forward to engage the scientific community and stakeholders. Participants Chris Anderson (Neuroscience Program University of Manitoba) Jaideep Bains…
Read more2018 Canadian Federal Budget
2018-02-27
Federal budget 2018: Historical reinvestment in research Basic research Multidisciplinary research and international collaborative projects Read Progress: Supporting Canada’s researchers to build a more innovative economy
Read moreCanada-wide Brain Research Strategy Development session at #CAN2017
2017-05-29
Broad consultation of the scientific community on the Canadian Brain Research Strategy. An online survey was launched on the Canadianbrain.ca website. An information and question & answer question session was organised at the 2017 Canadian neuroscience meeting View the event on the Canadian Association for Neuroscience website: Creating synergy to…
Read morePublication of the report from Canada’s Fundamental Science Review
2017-04-10
Read the report here: http://sciencereview.ca/
Read moreCanadian Brain Research Strategy first draft writing team
2017-02-15
A team of scientists worked together to elaborate a first draft of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, establishing the scientific theme, the vision and mission, a set of guiding principles and major pillars. Participants: Chairs: Samuel Weiss Sheena Josselyn Executive working team: Lynn Raymond Glenda MacQueen Yves De Koninck Contributors:…
Read moreThird CBRS workshop | Toronto
2016-11-15
Third workshop in Toronto (November 2016) brought together leading researchers and representatives of Brain Canada, CIFAR, INMHA and the major CFREFS to identify prospective key components (e.g. grand challenges, major platforms) of a Canadian brain research strategy. Following the meeting, a team of scientists worked together to develop the first draft…
Read moreSecond CBRS workshop | Vancouver
2016-04-15
Canadian neuroscience leaders were gathered by Tony Phillips at a second workshop in Vancouver (April 2016), where discussions from the Montreal meeting were extended to include major research networks (including Chronic Pain, Chronic Diseases, Child Health and Neurodevelopment). They represent another distinguishing area of strength in Canadian research that CBRS can…
Read more2016 G Science Academies Statement on Brain Research
2016-04-11
Understanding, Protecting, and Developing Global Brain Resources A joint statement issued by national science academies, including Canada, calling on world leaders at annual G8 Summits to address some of the world’s greatest challenges through the use of science and technology.
Read moreFirst CBRS workshop | Montreal
2015-10-15
The first workshop in Montreal (October 2015) where Canadian Neurosciences leaders were gathered by Tony Phillips and where he introduced the concept of a Canadian Initiative that would building on technological strengths (including genetics, neuroimaging, big data-AI and photonics) to establish national research infrastructure. Participants – October 2015 Jehannine Austin…
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