Investing in the future change-makers of ALS research

The ALS Society of Canada and Brain Canada select latest Career Transition Award to support innovative ALS research

TORONTO, March 7, 2023 – The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada are investing in the future of innovative scientists who are changing the landscape of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and treatments in Canada. Together they are contributing a total of $250,000 to support the 2022 Career Transition Award recipient, Philip McGoldrick, an exciting emerging talent at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto. This award has the long-term goal of developing the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences and advancing knowledge generation and translation in ALS.

“The Career Transition Award helps launch a superstar young scientist into an independent career focused on ALS research at a Canadian university,” says Dr. David Taylor, Vice-President of Research & Strategic Partnerships, ALS Canada. “The recipients of this award ultimately become the leaders of tomorrow in the Canadian ALS research community and their impact on the disease in the years ahead will be far more than just their scientific discoveries. What a privilege it is for ALS Canada to support Dr. McGoldrick and we look forward to working with him for a long time.”

“Brain Canada is proud to fund high-quality Canadian ALS research and support the next generation of neuroscientists who strive to increase our understanding of rare brain disease,” says Brain Canada President and CEO, Dr. Viviane Poupon. “This transformative program and partnership with ALS Canada has the potential to inspire new discoveries and approaches, with the ultimate goal of a future without ALS.”

To date, the ALS Canada – Brain Canada partnership has resulted in more than a $25 million investment in a wide range of research projects that have helped further the study of the disease.

To achieve the mission of the Career Transition Award, ALS Canada and Brain Canada are supporting a talented young scientist for up to three years to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution. The funding of the Award follows a competitive peer-review process, in which ALS experts consider the merit of the applicant, the quality of the project, and the potential to advance the field of ALS research.

Summary of the 2022 Career Transition Award 

A new way to look at the most common genetic form of ALS
Dr. Philip McGoldrick at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, awarded $250,000

The Career Transition Award competition is funded through matched funds contributed by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).

The CBRF is an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, which increases Canadians’ support for brain research and expands the philanthropic space for funding brain research to achieve maximum impact. To date, Health Canada has invested more than $145 million in brain research through the CBRF which has been matched by Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners.

About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research Program
The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is working to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.

Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.

Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change.

Through the ALS Canada Research Program, we fund peer-reviewed research grants, foster collaboration and build capacity within Canada’s ALS research and clinical community and invest in new areas of research positioned to have high impact. As the only national dedicated source of funding for ALS research across Canada, the ALS Canada Research Program aims to accelerate research impact by providing funding for the most promising ALS projects focused on translating scientific discoveries into treatments for ALS. We are grateful for the support of our donors and the contributions from participating provincial ALS Societies through the Walk to End ALS.

About Brain Canada 
Brain Canada is a national non-profit organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and invaluable role as the national convener of the brain research community. We join people, labs and platforms across the country, as well as institutions, organizations and sectors – to drive innovation and foster an interconnected brain research system. Our work enables Canada to excel and make even greater contributions to the global quest to understand the brain and brain disorders. Join us in funding brilliance daily, braincanada.ca.

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For more information

ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca 
437-703-5440

Brain Canada 
Brielle Goulart
brielle.goulart@braincanada.ca
450-915-2253