Brain Canada, Weizmann Canada and the Weizmann Institute of Science Announce a New International Brain Research Collaboration

MONTREAL, Dec. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brain Canada, Weizmann Canada and the Weizmann Institute of Science are pleased to announce their new partnership to leverage strengths and foster international collaboration between researchers in Canada and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

The Brain Canada & Weizmann Institute of Science Team Grants will support hypothesis-driven research that will advance our understanding of the brain and brain disorders.

This program encourages Open Science through the free and open sharing of scientific information. Brain Canada and the Weizmann Institute of Science are committed to pushing the boundaries of brain research for the benefit of all people in an era when neuroscience is critical to human health.

In recent years, scientists around the globe, including at the World Economic Forum, have been vocal about the fact that COVID-19 amplified the importance of global scientific collaboration, which is vital to advance science for the future of humanity. Targeting key issues of our time ― including brain health ― Canadian researchers also recognize the competitive advantage of global collaboration, being twice as likely than the world average to collaborate with international scholars.

The Weizmann Institute of Science maintains ninth place on the prestigious Leiden Ranking for research quality.

The Weizmann Institute partners with the world’s best, and it is within that spirit that the collaboration with Brain Canada was born, and the Brain Canada & Weizmann Institute of Science Team Grants program was created.

As a leading national convenor and enabler of innovative and bold neuroscience, Brain Canada works with strategic funding partners with interests across the entire range of brain research. Brain Canada brings together more than 100 dedicated partners to invest in big, bold ideas to help us better understand how to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure brain diseases, disorders, injuries, mental illnesses, and addictions.

This collaboration encourages innovative, unorthodox, and exploratory research that may be in the early and conceptual stages of project development but has potential for significant impact on our understanding of the brain. The research topic will focus on hypothesis-driven inquiries on the brain and nervous system, and may span the range of basic, translational, and clinical approaches.

“Our partnership with Weizmann Canada and the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science on this research funding program is an exceptional opportunity to unlock the true power of collaboration and deepen our understanding of the brain, the most intricate organ in the human body. By merging our expertise, resources, and scientific passion, this program will expand the frontiers of knowledge and drive ground-breaking discoveries in neuroscience,” said Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.

“We are incredibly grateful to our funding partners for enabling such a pioneering global initiative, to advance what we know about the brain,” added Susan Stern, CEO of Weizmann Canada. “We are also so very excited to continue to build on the breadth of vital collaborations ― between the Weizmann Institute of Science and leading researchers in Canada ― whose collective curiosity offers a powerful approach to tackle one of the most complex systems known to humankind.”

“Over the decades, our Canadian friends and colleagues have been steadfast in their support and collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science,” said Prof. Alon Chen, President of the Weizmann Institute, who is a neuroscientist. “There is so much more to explore and reveal when it comes to brain science, and many challenges yet to be solved. We are proud to be tackling this subject by unleashing ingenuity through stronger alliances with Canadian scientific expertise with the launch of this program.”

The Brain Canada & Weizmann Institute of Science Team Grants program has an overall pilot funding envelope of $1,500,000 CAD to support up to three team grants of $500,000 each over two years. The pilot will lead to the next phase of development for the program, which will be modified to meet evolving global research needs.

Weizmann Canada and Brain Canada also gratefully acknowledge the visionary support of Dr. Daniel C. Andreae and the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation in making this pilot program a reality. Larry Tanenbaum is Vice-Chair at Brain Canada and Founder of the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) at the Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital).

This program is made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada, and Weizmann Canada.

The call for applications is now live.

For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit our funding opportunities page: https://braincanada.ca/funding-opportunities/

Subscribe now to receive funding opportunities from Brain Canada: https://braincanada.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8f5e3c158aef09bac540e21b5&id=a2a9ec48c3

About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world. Visit Braincanada.ca and @BrainCanada

About Weizmann Canada
Since 1964, Weizmann Canada has partnered with individuals, families, foundations, and the business community to develop funding for the Weizmann Institute of Science; sharing the Institute’s research with the Canadian public; and promoting science literacy and educational programs across all age groups. From coast to coast, Weizmann Canada hosts meetings and interactive events with Weizmann Institute Scientists; provides opportunities for participation in educational programs for high school students and young adults; and brings Canadians a front row seat to research that has – and will continue to – change the world. On behalf of Weizmann Canada, the Brain Canada & Weizmann Institute of Science Team Grants program is generously supported by Dr. Daniel C. Andreae and the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation. Visit weizmann.ca and @WeizmannCanada

About the Weizmann Institute of Science
The Weizmann Institute of Science, located in Israel is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary institutions of basic research. Weizmann Institute scientists have made a global impact in a variety of areas ranging from health and medicine to alternative energy and security and technology. Our specific impact includes being credited for inventing amniocentesis, developing a block buster drug for multiple sclerosis, and developing encryption technology to power internet and smart cards. Visit weizmann.ac.il

Media Contacts:

Brielle Goulart
Digital Communications & Stewardship Officer
Brain Canada
450-915-2253
Brielle.goulart@braincanada.ca

Jon Reed
Public Affairs Lead
Weizmann Canada
647-823-9353
jon@weizmann.ca

Photo caption
From l to r: Prof. Roee Ozeri, Vice President for Development and Communications at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, and Susan Stern, CEO of Weizmann Canada in Montreal in September 2023.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca5912ec-4695-4a41-82e1-ab12c47d383b