Apply for funding

1

Kanta Marwah Research Innovation Fund (KMRIF) 

Parkinson Canada remains actively engaged in research activities and programs that foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and build capacity for quality research in Canada. In recognition that there is a growing need for funding that can be responsive to the rapid pace of Parkinson’s research around the world, Parkinson Canada has established the Kanta Marwah Research Innovation Fund (KMRIF).

The KMRIF is complimentary to Parkinson Canada’s existing grant programs, with the goal of funding research projects and initiatives that will ultimately improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s. The Pilot Project Grant program (link) continues to be Parkinson Canada’s primary funding opportunity to support early-stage research projects. Whereas the KMRIF aims to be a complimentary funding opportunity to:

1. Enhance large multi-center or interdisciplinary research projects by adding a new Parkinson’s Disease study arm, or expansion to include Canadian participation in a global project. (Average budget – $40,000 – $80,000)
2. Catalyze new ideas and approaches for Parkinson’s research and care by funding collaborative forums for knowledge exchange and consensus-building activities within research that bring together world leaders in Parkinson’s. (Average budget – $5,000 – $15,000)
3. Supporting preclinical or clinical development of translational research projects to help bridge gaps needed to bring novel therapies or diagnostic technologies to the clinic. (Average budget – $40,000 – $80,000)

Proposals for KMRIF funding will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and is contingent on the availability of funds.

To learn more about this funding opportunity please reach out by email research@parkinson.ca and refer to the following document:

Research Innovation Reference Document

2

2025 Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN) Data Challenge

Parkinson Canada and Brain Canada are pleased to launch the 2025 Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN) Data Challenge — a grant funding opportunity designed to accelerate Parkinson’s research through innovative use of the C-OPN database.   

C-OPN was launched in 2018 with founding financial support from Parkinson Canada and Brain Canada. C-OPN has to-date recruited 2,318 participants from 11 different sites across Canada. The C-OPN database and biobank includes demographic information, epidemiological and clinical information (including results from clinical assessment tools), neuroimaging data and biobank samples (including genotyping data from DNA samples). For a more detailed breakdown of the C-OPN research database please see here.  

We invite researchers and clinicians across Canada to submit proposals that analyze C-OPN’s de-identified participant data to generate new insights into Parkinson’s diagnosis, progression, and care. Up to 4 grants of up to $50,000 each will be funded for one-year projects.  

Key Dates:  

• Informational Webinar: June 17, 2025 (email ko.currie@parkinson.ca for invite)  

• Registration Form Deadline: July 14, 2025  

• Full Proposal Deadline: July 28, 2025  

• Notice of Decision: Sept. 26, 2025  

To learn more please use the following links:   

• Application portal  

• Request for Applications

• Applicant registration form   

• C-OPN Data Guide  

3

Patient Engagement in Research Grant

Parkinson Canada is committed to strengthening the connection between researchers and the Parkinson’s community by creating new avenues for involving people affected by Parkinson’s (PaP) throughout the research process. To help catalyze the involvement of PaP in research, we are launching a new grant program to support activities and initiatives that meaningfully embed the voices and experiences of PaP within Parkinson’s research. These may include, but are not limited to, workshops or focus groups to involve PaP in study design, or dissemination events to share the latest research findings with PaP:

• Workshops or focus groups to collect valuable feedback and insights from PaP, that will help to inform the design and conduct of research programs.
• Public research days, university tours, or public lectures that enable knowledge sharing and open dialogues between Parkinson’s researchers and the general public (including PaP). 
• Development of educational materials (print, online, or video content) for PaP about Parkinson’s research or for the healthcare community (e.g., primary care physicians, allied health professionals) to improve care delivery for PaP.

Apply on Parkinson Canada’s Research Application Website (SMApply)

Key Dates:

• Program Launch: July 4, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 29, 2025
• Review Period: Sept. 2025
• Award Notification: Sept. 30, 2025

To learn more about this funding opportunity please reach out by email to research@parkinson.ca and refer to the following document:

Patient Engagement Grant Reference Document

4

Pilot Project Grant (PPG)

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. Intended to foster novel, high-potential projects, and ideas with a trajectory for major grants with larger granting institutions. $75,000 available (1-year term). 

5

Graduate Student Award (GSA)

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. Intended for full-time graduate students at the PhD level conducting research relevant to the cure, cause, prevention, improved treatment, and/or understanding of Parkinson’s disease or related disorders. $20,000 available per year (2-year term). 

Note: The Graduate Student Award for the Master’s level is not available.   

GSA Partnership Awards 

Parkinson Canada/Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS) Partnership Award. 

• For candidates submitting applications to the Parkinson Canada/FRQS Partnership Program, funding amounts are $27,500/year for years 1 & 2. Additionally, candidates are eligible for funding for years 3 & 4 at the FRQS base award value ($25,000/year) as per regular FRQS competitions. Candidates for the Parkinson Canada/FRQS funding opportunity must submit applications to both FRQS and to Parkinson Canada and must indicate that this has been done. Research supported under this Program must be carried out at a University or affiliated institution (including hospitals and research institutes) within the province of Quebec. 

6

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PRF) 

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or MD) obtained in the last 5 years and be exclusively conducting research relevant to the cure, cause, prevention, improved treatment, and/or understanding of Parkinson’s disease or related disorders. $45,000 available per year (2-year term). 

PRF Partnership Awards 

Parkinson Canada/Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS) Partnership Award. 

• Candidates must submit applications to both Parkinson Canada and FRQS and indicate on their application that they wish to be considered for this partnership award. The program offers up to two years of joint support with the possibility of renewal for a third year from FRQS. Stipends in this program for fellowship candidates are the same as that which is offered for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. The amount of funding available for the third year is based on eligibility for funding renewal in their third year as per regular FRQS competitions and is restricted to FRQS regular funding amounts. Please see FRQS funding guidelines for 2024-2026 amounts. 

Parkinson Canada/Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Partnership Program 

• Candidates must submit applications to Parkinson Canada only and indicate on their application that they wish to be considered for this partnership award. Research supported under this Program must be carried out at a University or affiliated institution (including hospitals and research institutes), within the Province of Saskatchewan. For more information please visit the SHRF website (SHRF). Funding is available for 1 awardee in this program for fellowship candidates are the same as that which is offered for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships plus a $10,000/year research supplement. 

7

Clinician Scientist Research Fellowship (CSRF) 

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. Intended for applicants who are actively pursuing a research project related to Parkinson’s Disease while concurrently undergoing clinical training. 

• $50,000 available per year for Residents in Neurology/Neurosurgery (2-year term). 

• $75,000 available per year for Clinical Fellows (2-year term). 

CSRF Partnership Awards 

Parkinson Canada/Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Partnership Program 

• Candidates must submit applications to Parkinson Canada only and indicate on their application that they wish to be considered for this partnership award. Research supported under this Program must be carried out at a University or affiliated institution (including hospitals and research institutes), within the Province of Saskatchewan. For more information please visit the SHRF website (SHRF). Funding is available for 1 awardee in this program for fellowship candidates are the same as that which is offered for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships plus a $10,000/year research supplement. 

8

Clinical Movement Disorder Fellowship (CMDF) 

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. A training award intended for applicants who are enrolled in a clinical fellowship for movement disorders. $75,000 available (1-year term). 

9

New Investigator Award ( NIA)

Part of the annual Parkinson Canada Grant Competition. A project grant to encourage and support early career researchers in the field of Parkinson’s Disease who were appointed to their first faculty appointment within the last 5 years. $45,000 available per year (3-year term). 

10

Travel Award Program

Parkinson Canada is pleased to provide travel awards to support exceptional trainees to attend globally-recognized conferences related to Parkinson’s Disease, so that they can present their research, further their education and participate in career-building activities. Awards will be valued at $1,000 (conferences within North America, or $1,500 (conferences outside of contiental North America). A maximum of 1 travel award may be granted to members of the same lab or clinic for each conference. Awarded Funds are intended to cover costs for conference registration, transportation to the event and accommodation only. For more information on the program and award policies  click here.  

Eligible Conferences:

How to apply 
Apply on Parkinson Canada’s Research Application Website (SMApply)

Due to a current organizational travel restriction affecting travel to the United States, we have temporarily paused all awards supporting U.S.-based travel.