Funding Opportunities

MIRA, the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging and the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre fund ambitious research that aims to create a future where people live longer, healthier lives.

Fall 2023 MIRA Funding Webinar

If you missed our webinar or would like to review what we talked about, please see our video.

Watch our Fall 2023 Funding Webinar

Internal Research Grants

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging provides funding to support interdisciplinary research on aging led by McMaster researchers from across all six McMaster Faculties. Within MIRA, the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA) supports research focused on understanding and improving mobility in aging, which encompasses physical, community and social mobility. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate end-users, including older adults, care providers, and other stakeholders into their research.

MIRA will support teams of researchers who wish to apply to major external, interdisciplinary funding opportunities to further develop research projects in aging. Eligible funding opportunities include complex, interdisciplinary funding calls such as CIHR Health Research Training PlatformNew Frontiers for Research Fund Transformation stream; and NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience program.

MIRA researchers may request up to $5,000 to support the hiring of staff, such as a research assistant, to assist with grant writing and submission. To request this type of support, please email a letter of intent to MIRA Research Manager Audrey Patocs (patocsae@mcmaster.ca) copying mirafund@mcmaster.ca with the following information:

1) Funding opportunity information, including grant name and link, application deadline, and value of funds requested

2) Names of principal and co-investigators

3) A brief summary of work completed to date and of the proposed research for which the applicant(s) wish to secure funding

Application deadline:

  • Rolling

Funding available:

  • Two awards per year, up to $5,000 each
Email us about your request

Funding available: MIRA can support access fees ($3,000) for up to 10 CLSA data applications

Deadline: See CLSA website for next data application deadline

MIRA members are eligible for support in accessing CLSA data, a national database tracking 50,000 Canadians aged 45 to 85 over a period of 20 years. Data access applications are accepted three times per year. Researchers should notify ​MIRA at ​​mirafund@mcmaster.ca prior to applying for CLSA data access to be considered for funding. MIRA funds will be allocated only to projects that do not have any other funding for this purpose.

Apply Now

Deadline: ​Rolling
Funding available: Matching funds up to $100,000

In order to improve the positioning of McMaster’s researchers in external funding competitions, MIRA and the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging have allocated funding that may be used to match or leverage external funds. This process is intended to be used for requests related to externally funded, peer-reviewed grant competitions that require a matching component.

Download the funding call

The MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre is a partnership between MIRA and Dixon Hall, a multi-service agency focused on addressing poverty, social injustices, and isolation across the lifespan in downtown Toronto East. Knowledge Synthesis Grants will support the synthesis and mobilization of existing knowledge and the identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities related to the following themes identified as priority areas in consultation with staff, leadership, and other stakeholders from Dixon Hall:

  • Loneliness, social isolation & emotional well-being
  • Housing & aging in place
  • Precarity, financial well-being & food security
  • Physical & cognitive decline
  • Ageism, vulnerability, & loss of agency

Successful proposals will include a comprehensive knowledge mobilization plan for disseminating findings, such as a knowledge mobilization forum, in-person workshops, videos, education materials, infographics or other knowledge mobilization approaches.

Application deadline

  • January 15, 2024

Funding available

  • Up to $70,000 (over one year) per grant
Download the call

This grant is intended to stimulate new collaborations and allow McMaster researchers to collect preliminary data to support future proposals for full-scale studies investigating the aging-related molecular and cellular mechanisms that are candidate risk factors and drivers of common chronic conditions and diseases associated with age. Projects may investigate how the aging process represents a major risk factor for the development of numerous chronic diseases and conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, many cancers, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, reproductive aging, and frailty, and/or the biological pillars —inflammation, adaptation to stress, epigenetics, metabolism, macromolecular damage, proteostasis, and stem cells and regeneration — that may represent the potential drivers of the aging process.

This grant will support a geroscience approach: the incorporation of basic aging biology, chronic disease and clinical research, and projects must incorporate researchers from at least three different McMaster Faculties.

Application deadline:

  • June 1, 2023

Funding available:

  • Up to $40,000 to support one award

Deadline: December 15, 2022
Funding available: One grant of $50,000 (for one year salary), plus $3,000 for research expenses

The MIRA Interdisciplinary Fellowship Grant invites teams of researchers to propose a project that will attract a highly qualified postdoctoral fellow who will conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary research focused on aging. The fellowships are valued at $50,000 salary for one year, plus $3,000 for research expenses. The supervisory team must contribute at least $10,000 in cash for the fellow’s benefits, and are encouraged to demonstrate leveraging of additional funds, assets and in-kind support for the proposed project. Interdisciplinary research teams are invited to submit proposals for research that will promote new research collaborations in aging.

The primary applicant will act as the recruited fellow’s primary supervisor. The interdisciplinary proposal must include at least two co-applicants from McMaster Faculties outside of the primary applicant’s Faculty, who will act as mentors to the fellow and research collaborators. Applicant teams may also include knowledge users or mentors from industry, the public sector, non-profit or community, health care, or others whose perspective will enrich the prospective fellow’s research experience and the project’s impact. Successful applicants will be awarded funds to hire one postdoctoral fellow to support the proposed project. Teams will have one year after award notification to recruit an appropriate fellow. MIRA can assist with recruiting a Fellow by sharing the posting across its communications platforms and with partners.

Deadline: February 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM (EST)
Funding available: maximum value of $50,000


To enhance the position of McMaster applicants, MIRA’s Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA) will co-fund up to two applications led by McMaster researchers. LCMA funds may support interdisciplinary projects focusing on mobility in aging; LCMA-HAC co-funded awards will have a maximum value of $50,000.

Deadline: June 30, 2022, 4 p.m. ET
Funding available: Up to six awards of $40,000 (one per Faculty)


Labarge Catalyst Grants in Mobility in Aging offer the opportunity to conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary research focused on mobility in aging. Mobility is broadly defined to include physical, social and community aspects; proposals may consider intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to mobility, execution of daily activities and participation in society. These grants are intended to stimulate new collaborations and allow researchers to conduct feasibility/pilot studies, scaling of interventions and/or collect preliminary data to support future proposals for full-scale studies. A minimum matching contribution of $5,000 (up to $2,500 may be in kind) is required.

Trainee Funding

MIRA and the LCMA provide funding and support to McMaster trainees in aging research. This includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, Master’s students, and undergraduates.
In addition to funding, MIRA supports trainees through the MIRA Trainee Network. Trainees submitting proposals to work with MIRA-funded researchers or projects must include details on how their proposed work will complement the funded project. Additional funding for trainees may be available through awards co-funded with our partners.

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) will fund up to six summer student Fellowships (one per Faculty) valued at $2,000 each for undergraduate students working with MIRA researchers between May and August 2024. 

Download the call apply online

Deadline

  • April 4, 4 p.m. ET 

Funding Available

  • Up to six awards of up to $2000 

Graduate Student Professional Development Awards are for students working with MIRA researchers to present their work at an academic conference (virtual or in-person), attend a training program (virtual or in-person), complete an online course at a different institution or participate in research activities in another location. Professional development awards are tenable for up to one year after the application deadline. MIRA will also accept ​submissions for professional development activities that occurred up to three months prior to the application deadline. Students are asked to advise MIRA by email (mirafund@mcmaster.ca) of cancellations or changes related to MIRA-supported professional development activities.  

Deadline

  • September 15, 2024, 4 p.m. ET

Funding Available

  • up to $500 per award

Applicants entering year one of a master’s program and year one or two of a PhD program are invited to submit a research proposal focusing on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches in the study of aging to the MIRA Graduate Scholarship Program. See call for proposals for full details; all applications must be submitted via the online application.

All applicants will be considered for the MIRA Scholarship in Aging Research. In addition, MIRA has partnered with several of McMaster’s research centres and institutes to further expand our collective impact and build capacity among McMaster trainees. Applications that focus on aging and the mandate of any of the co-funding partners below may be considered for co-funded scholarships. Applicants are encouraged to review the mandates and areas of focus for each of the co-funding partners below and indicate their interest in having their application considered for specific co-funded awards via their online application.

Download the call Download Evaluation Rubric Apply online

Application deadline

January 22, 2024, 4 p.m. ET

Funding available

  • Master’s, $15,000 over one year
  • PhD, $18,000 over one year
  • MIRA | sMAP PhD Scholarships, $36,000 over two years

Fall 2023 MIRA Funding Webinar

December 8, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET

Register for the Webinar

Our funding partners

Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA)

Funded by a generous gift from Suzanne Labarge, the LCMA supports interdisciplinary collaboration in aging research on the broad topic of mobility in aging, which may include: understanding and defining mobility in aging; maintaining and restoring mobility in aging; and environmental facilitators and barriers that influence mobility in aging. Applicants may be considered for funding through the LCMA if their research proposal focuses on aging and mobility, where mobility is defined to include physical and community aspects of mobility, execution of daily activities and participation in society.

Smart Mobility for Aging Populations (sMAP)

Applicants are invited to submit a research proposal aligned with the goals and research priorities of the McMaster sMAP program. The candidate’s research must focus on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches to aging, mobility and the development and application of smart technologies, including the following priority research areas: hardware-software co-design, multi-modal data analytics, hybrid modelling to improve mobility or care; understanding the trajectory of mobility status in health and disease from function to impairment; and development of solutions for continuous monitoring, assessing and/or maintaining and restoring of mobility. If successful, sMAP scholarship recipients are expected to complete the required training modules in for sMAP program (more details can be found here).

McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC)

The MDTRC is designed as a knowledge hub to engage in three primary mandates focused on digital transformation: collaborative multidisciplinary research, outreach to academic and non-academic partners, training and education, as well as the development of custom training and educational content. MDTRC is committed to understanding the digital revolution that is transforming every aspect of our personal, social, and professional lives. Leveraging behavioural and neurophysiological techniques, the timely and important cutting-edge research initiatives at MDTRC will lead to a fundamental shift in understanding of the ever[1]evolving digital revolution and its challenges and opportunities, with far reaching implications for managerial practice across sectors and society at large.

Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (FIRH)

The intent of the FIRH is to provide optimal patient care through clinical practice, translational research, and the training of health care professionals. Clinical, research and educational activities are integrated and largely collaborative within the FIRH. Research is wide-ranging, from basic studies of animal models of lung disease (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrosis) to clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Specialized facilities have been established at the FIRH, such as the Sputum Research Laboratory and the Aerosol Research Laboratory. Scientists at the FIRH are performing studies of bone marrow progenitor cells, airway peptide challenges, electrophysiological studies of airway smooth muscle cells, chronic allergen challenges, preclinical models of lung injury and repair, and more.

Micheal G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (IPRC)

The IPRC seeks to fund research and initiatives that will ultimately improve the quality of life for those living with chronic pain. One area of concern is the development of persistent pain after surgery, which is particularly common after cardiac, breast cancer and orthopedic surgery. The IPRC explores causes of chronic post-surgical pain, developing new strategies for its prevention and innovative care for patients. The Institute was made possible as a result of the DeGroote family gift.

Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IIDR)

Since its inception in 2007 through an unprecedented gift from Hamilton businessman Michael G. DeGroote, the IIDR is committed to delivering new knowledge and solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in infectious disease. Collaborative research spans the lab and the clinic, and a variety of disciplines ranging from medicine and biochemistry to mathematics, anthropology, and engineering. The breadth of research initiatives at the IIDR is large, reflecting the complexity of global challenges in infectious disease research and clinical practice. Further, the IIDR continually advances its research objectives to align with the evolving infectious disease landscape. Such initiatives include: microbial and antimicrobial research; vaccines and antivirals; host-pathogen interaction research; diagnostics; and research into new technologies

External Funding

MIRA researchers and trainees are encouraged to explore these external funding opportunities.

Application deadline: varies by Faculty, see below
Funding available: $7, 500

Arts & Science | Deadline February 16, 2024. More information
Humanities | Deadline February 21, 2024 More information
Social Sciences | Deadline March 31, 2024 More information

learn more

Application deadline: varies by department. Deadlines begin in early February. 
Funding available: $6,000 for 14-16 weeks

At present, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for Black student researchers.

Interested undergraduate students should apply to the department/Faculty in which their research supervisor is appointed, which may not be the student’s home department.

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are intended to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields. They help students to gain research work experience that complements studies in an academic setting; these awards can help provide students with financial support through their host university.

If you are applying from the Faculty of Health Sciences, please visit the USRA in the Faculty of Health Sciences page for more information.

Please Note: If you are interested in a USRA position please contact the Administrators listed below directly.

more information and administrator contacts

Application deadline: Varies by department. Deadlines begin in early February 2024.
Funding available: $6,000 for 14-16 weeks

Interested undergraduate students should apply to the department/Faculty in which their research supervisor is appointed, which may not be the student’s home department.

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are intended to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields. They help students to gain research work experience that complements studies in an academic setting; these awards can help provide students with financial support through their host university.

Applications for the USRA program must be completed and submitted to the Canadian institution where you wish to hold the award through NSERC’s online system. Selected applications are submitted to NSERC by institutions.

If you are applying from the Faculty of Health Sciences, please visit the USRA in the Faculty of Health Sciences page for more information.

Please Note: If you are interested in a USRA position please contact the Administrators listed below directly.

more information and administrator contacts

Application deadline: February 22, 2024
Funding available: $4,056,500 for 55 awards: Doctoral (PhD): $50,000 per year for up to 1 year. ($45,000 stipend plus $5,000 professional development training and research allowance)
Postdoctoral: $155,000 total for 2 years ($77,500 per annum). ($70,000 stipend per year, plus $7,500 professional development training and research allowance per year).

The Health System Impact (HSI) Fellowship provides an embedded research opportunity for highly-qualified PhD trainees and post-doctoral researchers studying health services and policy research (HSPR), or related fields. This is a unique opportunity for awardees to: apply their research and analytic talents to critical health system challenges that are being addressed by health system organizations (e.g., public, private for-profit, not-for-profit, and Indigenous health organizations) outside of the traditional university setting, and develop and expand professional experience, new skills, and networks.

While embedded in a health system partner organization for the duration of their fellowship, awardees are exposed to how a health system organization works, how decisions are made, and how research and analytic skills contribute to an organization’s rapid learning and improvement. Accordingly, the program also aims to build embedded research capacity in health system organizations to support the advancement of learning health systems (LHSs) across Canada.

For details

Application deadline: February 29, 2024
Funding available: Up to $50,000 per year

The RSRPP provides grant funding to researchers in the broader Ontario public sector, enabling them to contribute policy-relevant research to support Ontario’s efforts to improve transportation safety and keep the province among the safest jurisdictions in the world.

Selected partners must conduct applied road safety research using methodologies that the Ministry of Transportation cannot perform internally. This includes research that leverages any form of specialized equipment or resources such as private data sources, survey studies, simulator testing, or clinical expertise, as examples. Only studies that cannot be performed by MTO personnel are eligible for program funding. Applicants are encouraged to review these guidelines for information about the program’s requirements and eligibility criteria before applying. 

Apply now

Application deadline: March 1, 2024
Funding available: Up to $120,000 per year

CCSIF grants are intended to foster community innovation by connecting the talent, facilities and capabilities of Canada’s colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of community organizations. CCSIF proposals should facilitate collaborative and innovative research that brings together researchers, students and partners to address challenges in community innovation in the social sciences, humanities, health sciences, natural sciences and engineering research fields.

CCSIF grants enable colleges to increase their capacity to work with communities, with the goal of developing partnerships that foster community innovation in areas such as the integration of vulnerable populations, community development, education and training, climate change, environmental degradation, and health and well-being. Canada’s colleges and polytechnics are well-equipped to contribute to community innovation initiatives by tapping into their departments’ and programs’ knowledge, experience, facilities and community connections.

CCSIF grants are managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). CCSIF research proposals can be multidisciplinary and may fall under the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and/or health sciences. Applications exclusively in the social sciences and humanities, health sciences, or the natural sciences and engineering will be funded by SSHRC, CIHR, or NSERC, as appropriate. Multidisciplinary grants containing a natural sciences and engineering research component will be funded by NSERC. All applications must be submitted to NSERC.

LEARN MORE

Application deadline: March 10, 2024
Funding available: Two awards of $20,000 over one year

The competition aims to facilitate the generation and mobilization of co-created knowledge that helps solve or places a societal partner on a clear path toward solving, a challenge. The competition is guided by the overall aim of creating responsible and ethical positive change in society through meaningful campus-society collaborations. 

Apply now

Application deadline: March 25, 2024
Funding available: Covering meals, accommodation and travel to and from the National Institute on Aging Nutrition and Aging Biology Workshop June 25-26 in San Fransisco, USA.

Awards are available for approximately 10 early career investigators or investigators in training, who will participate in a special session at the meeting on June 25 that will focus on career development.  Successful applicants will be affiliated with institutions with at least one NIA-supported center, and who have demonstrated translational or multidisciplinary interests in aging related to the workshop topic.

for more information & to apply

Application deadline: March 28, 2024
Funding available: Up to $25,000

The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility Seniors Community Grant Program funds local not-for-profit community groups and organizations to deliver projects, supports and resources that help older adults (aged 55+) to: live independently, live with safety and security, stay connected to their community, avoid isolation, achieve greater financial security and social connections. Programming can be delivered remotely, virtually, or in-person.

Learn more and apply

Application deadline: March 31, 2024
Funding available: $5,500

The Mach-Gaensslen Foundation of Canada provides grants to students at Canadian medical schools. These grants enable the recipients to conduct medical research during the summer in psychiatry, oncology, and cardiology — the three areas of medicine that the foundation’s charter permits. Student research grants are made on certain conditions. As a long-term objective, the Mach-Gaensslen Foundation of Canada is interested in knowing whether involvement in summer research while a medical student will influence career choice or lead to research later in a student’s professional life. Thus, to receive funding, students must agree to participate in a prospective study for the balance of their careers. Please note that the research does not have to occur at McMaster University, however a McMaster faculty member must be one of the Supervisors for the project. Funds will be held at McMaster University regardless of where the project takes place.

  • The research project must be in the fields of cardiology, oncology or psychiatry.
  • The scope of research project must be designed so that it will be complete by August 31, 2024.
  • The student must be in an undergraduate medical program (MD or MD/PhD).
  • To receive funding, the summer student researcher is asked to participate in a prospective study focused on individual research opportunities, for the balance of their careers. This requires completion of a pair of initial questionnaires (at the start and end of the summer research program), an initial evaluation questionnaire, and a follow-up short questionnaire in the form of an on-line survey every five years.
  • At the end of the summer research, the results are to be submitted to the foundation via the Faculty research office (HRS).
  • Research carried out as a result of the funding meets the ethical requirements of the University’s ethical policies/guidelines.
  • Students can only be funded once during their medical training.
Learn more

Application deadline: April 1, 2024
Funding available: $50,000

The Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Awards are an opportunity for excellent postdoctoral candidates to pursue top-level research training. First awarded in 2008, the awards provide funding to research-intensive individuals looking to further their academic career in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

Each award provides non-renewable funding of $50,000 for one year for successful applicants. The funding is comprised of $40,000 from the Michael G. DeGroote Health Sciences Development Fund and $10,000 contributed by the applicant’s supervisor.

Awards are available in two categories: the Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Basic Biomedical Science and the Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Clinical Research. Candidates conducting basic science research are eligible for the Basic Biomedical Science Fellowship Award and those pursuing clinical research are eligible for the Clinical Research Fellowship Award. Applicants must identify in their application which award they are applying for. Separate selection committees will review the respective applicants for each award.

Applications are now being accepted and we are seeking qualified candidates to apply. If you know of any first-rate candidates who you feel would be a good fit for these awards under your supervision, please:

E-mail mgdfa@mcmaster.ca clearly detailing your ability and willingness to provide the matching $10,000 in funding to support the candidate.

To be eligible for this program, candidates must have started their postdoctoral or health professional degree studies on, or after, July 1, 2023. Additionally, eligible candidates must be within five years of receiving their PhD or MD. Individuals who completed post-doctoral studies or a fellowship at McMaster under a different supervisor are not eligible.
The candidate must plan to conduct their research in a department or school (or related centre or institute) that resides in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.
For candidates who hold (or are completing) a PhD, the proposed supervisor(s) listed in your application must be different than your PhD supervisor. Your proposed supervisor must be from within the Faculty of Health Sciences, but you could have a co-supervisor that is from another Faculty.


Priority will be given to those applicants whose graduate training has not been exclusively at McMaster.

It is expected that winning applicants will seek out and attain external funding within their one-year award term. Supervisors are expected to assist their candidates in doing so.

For more information on the awards, please visit the awards website or send any questions to mgdfa@mcmaster.ca.

Learn more

Application deadline: April 15, 2024
Funding available: Up to a maximum of $1,500

Are you a PhD student or postdoctoral fellow who is engaged in aging-focused research? The McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging Partnership in Research Fellowship provides funding and supports for trainees enrolled in an Ontario-accredited university to meaningfully and ethically engage older adults and/or caregivers in their research. 

Up to a maximum of $1,500 to support the engagement of older adults and/or caregivers as advisors or partners in existing research projects as well as training and guidance for meaningful engagement from Collaborative researchers and partners.

Activities supported through these funds must be initiated within six months upon notification of being a successful applicant and completed within 12 months (up to a maximum of 18 months) following initial funding notification. Extensions may be considered on an individual basis and upon written request.

learn more

Application deadline: April 30, 2024
Funding available: Up to $10,000 and in some cases more

The Hevolution Foundation recognizes the value of supporting high-quality conferences, scientific meetings and workshops relevant to its mission to drive efforts to extend healthy human lifespan and understand the processes of aging.

Proposals for the support of scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops relevant to the mission of the Hevolution Foundation will be considered. Up to $10,000 per meeting may be requested, but the Hevolution Foundation will determine the final amount based on several factors including but not limited to the number of expected attendees, duration of the meeting, and meeting venue. Larger support may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are encouraged to discuss in advance with the Hevolution Foundation if an exception to the funds limit is being sought.

Non-profit organizations, public and private universities, colleges, laboratories and government agencies in North America (Canada, Mexico and the United States of America) can apply. The meetings must also be held at venues in North America. For-profit entities or individuals are not eligible.

learn more

Application deadline: May 1, 2024
Funding available: $2,000,000, enough to fund approximately 16 grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $125,000 per year for up to one (1) year.

The goal of the CIHR Operating Grants: Knowledge Mobilization in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment is to enhance knowledge mobilization in the field of diabetes, focusing on evidence integration into health services, programs, and policies. This funding opportunity will also provide researchers and knowledge users, including people with lived/living experience (PWLLE), e.g., people at risk of or with diabetes, and their families and informal caregivers, or a representative of a patient organization representing these groups, an opportunity to work collaboratively to improve prevention and care of people at risk of, or living with, diabetes in Canada.

Learn More

Application deadline: May 3, 2024
Funding available: $8,000 – $16,000

Powered by AGE-WELL and hosted at the University of Toronto, EPIC-AT Health Research Training Platform is a national training platform that will prepare graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers to be future leaders in digital health solutions for older adults with complex health needs. Applications for these $8,000-16,000 fellowships will open on April 1, 2024 and close on May 3, 2024. Fellowships enable promising new scholars to participate fully in an exclusive one-year training program.

For application questions please contact training@agewell-nce.ca.

Learn More

Application deadline: June 13, 2024
Funding available: 5 to 7 awards of up to $500,000 in direct costs per year

This NOFO invites applications proposing to establish multi-scale computational models recapitulating dynamic changes associated with aging and AD/ADRD. This broad scope encompasses a variety of computational approaches—such as mathematical and computational modeling, image analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning—to better understand aging processes and AD/ADRD across molecules, cells and networks, and cognition and behavior.

The goal of this NOFO is to establish a computational multi-scale model recapitulating dynamic changes associated with aging across scales. Therefore, the proposed framework must:

  • Bridge at least two levels of analysis on the spatial scale (e.g., molecules, cells, tissues, organisms, behavior), or
  • Bridge at least two levels of analysis on the temporal scale (spanning from milliseconds to generations).

Along with the framework, the application must:

  • Address a targeted research question through a targeted model to provide new insights into the function or dynamics of biology, disease, or a behavioral system.
  • Include at least one aim centered on hypothesis testing.
  • Include at least one aim on model validation.

Examples of appropriate topics may include, but are not limited to, the development of a multi-scale computational framework modeling aging and AD/ADRD based on the following:

  • Aging clocks (e.g., epigenetic clocks, PhenoAge, GrimAge, Dunedin Pace of Aging, etc.; proteomic clocks, neuroimaging age predictors).
  • Hallmarks of aging (e.g., genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, disabled macroautophagy, deregulated nutrient-sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis).
  • Oscillations in energetics and/or metabolism with aging, including brain energetics, frequency bands, and their relationship to behavioral and other biological outputs.
  • Age-related changes in synaptic activity across scales, which can also include how these changes are related to motor, sensory, and cognitive domains.
  • Image-based analysis of aging function, biology and disease for the purposes of constructing multi-scale models of aging.
  • Dynamic patterns of interventions to promote healthy aging (e.g., intermittent fasting)
Learn More

Application deadline: June 15, 2024
Funding available: $8,000,000 in 2025 to fund one award.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites U24 Cooperative Agreement applications that propose to establish a national Open Measurement Coordinating Network for Non-Pharmacological Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) Primary Prevention Trials. The Network will serve as a centralized hub for developing, validating, standardizing, and disseminating measures and measurement methods for AD/ADRD primary prevention trials. It will incorporate measures and measurement methods across neuropsychological, biomarker, and functional domains to meet the goal of primary prevention of AD/ADRD centered around brain health equity. Brain health equity is the fair distribution of brain health determinants, outcomes, and resources within and between segments of the population, regardless of social standing. Measures and measurement methods of interest will test outcomes and mechanisms of action (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, structural/social, computational, biological) that are customized for individuals with different needs and that are linked to real-world function. Resources developed through this initiative, including measurement instruments, methods, algorithms, code, documentation, and normative data, are intended to enable future measures and measurement-methods-development projects that support AD/ADRD primary prevention research needs.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is particularly interested in proposals that aim to advance equity for populations disproportionately impacted by AD/ADRD.

more information

Application deadline: July 8, 2024
Funding available: Grants generally range from $10,000 – $15,000

Grants from this fund support and enhance services and facilities offered in the Town of Dundas. Applications will be considered in the following areas: supports and services for seniors/persons with disabilities; poverty alleviation; youth engagement and support; environmental issues and accessibility to the arts.

Learn More

LOI deadline: January 9, 2024
Application deadline: July 10, 2024
Funding available: $1,500,000 over six years (one grant)

The KM Hub will be national in scope and will serve as a centralized source of information and evidence-based practice for researchers, knowledge keepers, and knowledge users, including but not limited to persons with lived and living experience (PWLLE) of dementia and their care partners (i.e. family, friends, caregivers and care providers). The KM Hub will compile knowledge created from transdisciplinary research related to brain health and cognitive impairment, including dementia, from partners, funded projects through the BHCIA Research Initiative, and other national (and international) researchers. 

Apply now

Application deadline: September 12, 2024
Funding available: Up to $25,000

The fund is specifically interested in investing in organizations achieving significant impact providing services and programming across the following program areas:

Stable homes stable families;

Healthy bodies and minds;

Educational/learning support across the ages;

The Foundation will be looking for applications which are evidence-informed and/or present the opportunity to pilot innovative new strategies, address significant needs or gaps in service for this population, provide evidence of collaborative/coordinated approach to service provision. The funds will not support proposals solely focused on research. 

learn more

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: $1,000

McMaster’s Office of Community Engagement offers small catalyst grants to McMaster University faculty, staff, students and their community partners through the Community-Campus Catalyst Grant Fund. These funds are available in amounts of up to $1000 each.


The goal of the Community-Campus Catalyst Fund is to support community-campus partnerships that align with the goals of McMaster’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan. Reflecting on this goal, proposals that involve collaborative projects with community partners working towards mutual benefit and pursuing outcomes aligned with McMaster’s community engagement goals and objectives will be prioritized for funding. Funding cannot be applied towards equipment, conference travel, or ongoing initiatives. Any application must be developed as a community-campus partnership and must include at least one community partner, at least, but not limited to, a program, department, or formal initiative that includes a faculty member, staff member or student. This fund has been developed to support new community-campus partnerships or partnerships in the early stages of development. More information

more information

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: Variable


Eligibility for research grants is limited to faculty, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from accredited higher education institutions and eligible nonprofit research institutions in approved countries. Review program FAQs to learn more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: No stipulations


Allergan Inc. considers Grants and/or Donations requests from institutions or charities, provided they are restricted to the enhancement of patient care, genuine clinical research and/or genuine charitable causes

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: No stipulations


Applications must focus on one of the following areas: Rheumatology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Hematology-Oncology, Urology, Women’s Health, Migraine, Movement Disorders, Ophthalmology, Virology, Psychiatry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: See call


The call is open to all biomarker categories that will advance drug development for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The expected context of use, which defines a biomarker’s intended use clinically as a diagnostic or in drug development, should be described in the application. These categories, as defined by the FDA, include diagnostic, monitoring, predictive, prognostic, pharmacodynamic/response, safety, and susceptibility/risk biomarkers. Additionally, the applicant should articulate where in the path to commercialization the study falls and what is the proposed plan forward.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: Up to 5,000


These grants of up to $5,000 cover costs associated with accessing and working with large data sources, which are necessary to carry out data-intensive research and application. The purpose of these grants is to foster research by mitigating the high cost of access to many data sets. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until two grants have been funded in a given academic year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: Awarded funds will vary based on project need.


The trial should plan to test specific interventions or pathways of care for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of heart and circulatory diseases. Interventions include drugs, surgery, devices, psychological, physical and educational interventions. The trial should address an unmet clinical need of importance to people affected by, or at risk of, cardiovascular disease. Its results should have the potential to change clinical practice. There should be a clear need for a multinational trial to answer the clinical question.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: Variable


Max Bell Foundation makes grants to support projects that are designed to inform public policy. We do so across four program areas: Education; Environment; Health & Wellness; and Civic Engagement and Democratic Institutions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: $30,000 – $60,000 in matching funding to support postdoctoral internships with partner organizations

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: $20,000 to $1,000,000 per year for one to five years

NSERC Alliance grants encourage university researchers to collaborate with partner organizations, which can be from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. Funding may support research and development projects that seek to respond to a research challenge in the natural sciences or engineering while working with external partners who are able to accelerate scale-up, application, impact, or commercialization. NSERC is now accepting Option 1 applications requiring at least 50 percent matching cash contributions from partner organizations, and Option 2, involves non-profit partners and requesting 90 to 100 percent funding support from NSERC.

TO APPLY

Application deadline: Rolling
Funding available: Variable

The Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation provides grants to practising physicians for health research with an emphasis on research relevant to patient care, including clinical research; medical education research at the post-MD level; health systems research, and healthcare research by community physicians. Many of PSI’s funding streams are open to applications on a rolling basis; PSI Clinical Research; PSI Medical Education Research at the Post M.D. Level, PSI Health Systems Research; PSI New Investigator and PSI Healthcare Research by Community Physicians offer up to $250,000 – $300,000 for a maximum of three years (maximum $100,000 in any one year). See more information on PSI funding calls with rolling deadlines.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PSI Research Trainee Award

The Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation provides grants to practising physicians for health research with an emphasis on research relevant to patient care, including clinical research; medical education research at the post-MD level; health systems research, and healthcare research by community physicians. Many of PSI’s funding streams are open to applications on a rolling basis; PSI Clinical Research; PSI Medical Education Research at the Post M.D. Level, PSI Health Systems Research; PSI New Investigator and PSI Healthcare Research by Community Physicians offer up to $250,000 – $300,000 for a maximum of three years (maximum $100,000 in any one year). See more information on PSI funding calls with rolling deadlines.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation Clinical Research Grant

The PSI Clinical Research Grant is open to Post M.D. physicians looking to conduct research that is of direct relevance to patient care.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation Health Systems Research Grant

The PSI Clinical Research Grant is open to Post M.D. physicians looking to conduct research which is of direct relevance to patient care.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation New Investigator Research Grant

The New Investigator funding stream is open to Clinical Fellows or physicians within five years of their first academic appointment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation Resident Research Grant

Resident Research Grants are concise health research projects, which have been largely developed by the Resident. To be eligible to apply for a Resident Research Grant, the Resident must have PGY status as per the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The restriction whereby PSI will not consider applications for research within the areas of cancer, and heart and stroke does not apply to resident research projects.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation Healthcare Research By Community Physicians Grant

To assist physicians practicing in a community setting to undertake a review of their practice patterns which would enhance effectiveness of practice and patient care in their own clinic, hospital, or region.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation Graham Farquharson Knowledge Translation Fellowship

The PSI Graham Farquharson Fellowship is intended to provide salary support for a new investigator who has demonstrated the ability to successfully complete high-impact knowledge translation research. The Fellowship funds, dedicated to salary support, must protect at least 50% of the Fellow’s time to conduct such research.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Our Research

MIRA and Labarge funding has supported many bold research projects to optimize the health and longevity of older adults.

our research
Dylan Kobsar presents Catalyst Grant-supported resarch graph