Funding Opportunities
Through its various funding opportunities, MS Canada is committed to supporting research that will lead to major advances in our understanding pertaining to the causes of and potential treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). MS Canada also supports research and training programs which cultivate a network of bright young minds and engages them in activities that fine-tune their skills and knowledge in MS research.
Research Grants
MS Canada has funded medical research into multiple sclerosis since the first grant of $10,000 was approved in 1949. MS Canada is one of the largest funders of MS research in Canada.
Through the administration of its research funding programs, MS Canada is committed to advancing research that investigates all aspects of MS, including causes of MS, diagnosis, repair of nerve cells, disease-modifying therapies, cognition and mental health, and progressive MS.
Discovery Research Grants
The Discovery Research Grant Program is intended to support research operations that will help generate new scientific knowledge and improve the health and quality of life of people affected by MS. MS Canada welcomes applications that are fundamental as well as applied studies, nonclinical or clinical in nature, including projects in patient management, care and rehabilitation.
***Competition now CLOSED***
Catalyst Research Grant
The Catalyst Research Grant program awards seed funding that allows researchers to develop and test new and innovative research questions and pursue pioneering approaches that have high potential to advance the MS field.
***Competition now CLOSED***
Targeted Competitions
In addition to general funding opportunities that encompass the breadth of topics in MS research, MS Canada administers a number of targeted research funding competitions to address priority research areas and accelerate the translation of research into outcomes that will make a meaningful impact for people living with MS. Many of these funding opportunities are available through collaborations with other organizations that allow us to leverage expertise and resources across all sectors of research. Be sure to check back often as we will be updating this section with new targeted funding opportunities as they arise.
endMS Research and Training Network Awards and Programs
MS Canada supports the next generation of talented young researchers who will take on the mantle of advancing MS research in the search for a cure. The annual studentship and fellowship award competition is a key plank of MS Canada’s research training program that allows us to build a robust network of bright minds in the field and is aimed at graduate students and postdoctoral fellows intent on furthering their knowledge and training in MS.
Training Program and Networking Activities
MS Canada provides a variety of education and networking programs to enhance knowledge and skill in MS research, foster knowledge exchange, and establish valuable connections and collaborations amongst peers in the field. These programs include endMS Summer School, endMS Scholar Program for Researchers IN Training (SPRINT), and endMS Conference.
endMS Doctoral Studentship Awards
This award provides opportunities for research training and broadening the scientific understanding of MS for students currently enrolled in a Doctoral stream program.
***Competition now CLOSED***
endMS Postdoctoral Fellowships
This fellowship is intended to support research for training of Postdoctoral Fellows in studies related to MS, and serves to attract and retain young researchers in the field.
***Competition now CLOSED***
Stem Cell Network-MS Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship in Regenerative Medicine for MS
This fellowship aims to attract and retain promising Postdoctoral Fellows to work at the intersection of stem cells, regenerative medicine, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
***Competition now CLOSED***
Applying Online
About ProposalCentral
Applicants who are interested in applying for an MS Canada grant or award must do so through the online grants management system, ProposalCentral.
ProposalCentral is only available in English and can be accessed through the following link: https://proposalcentral.com.
All applications are submitted online; hardcopies will not be accepted. Applicants wishing to apply in French should email their request to ms.grants@mscanada.ca and use ProposalCentral to apply in French. Please note that if necessary, French applications will be translated into English for the review process.
Support
For questions related to site technical support, contact ProposalCentral customer support at: 800-875-2562 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada) or by e-mail at pcsupport@altum.com. Hours of Operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 to 16:00 ET.
For all inquiries regarding grant and award applications, please email ms.grants@mscanada.ca . Hours of operation for MS Canada's administrative support are Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 16:00 ET.
Review Process and Criteria
MS Canada is committed to ensuring that research of the highest quality and scientific merit is funded. Each application submitted to any one of MS Canada's research funding opportunities is rigorously scrutinized by experts in the field; their role is to identify the proposal’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine whether the research will advance knowledge in the field and/or improve health and quality of life of people with MS. Members of the public – called community representatives – are also summoned to review the applications, in order to provide a public voice to the prioritization and funding of research and to ensure that dollars are spent on research that is relevant and impactful to people affected by MS. Community representatives read and comment on the lay summaries of the projects, and provide feedback on ways that researchers can communicate their work in an understandable way for the public, which is equally as important as their ability to communicate their work scientifically.
Funding Announcements
**Updated March 27, 2024
MS Canada congratulates the applicants who have been awarded funding and acknowledges the hard work and dedication to MS research of the many applicants whose applications were highly ranked but did not receive funding.
Click on the links below to view the funding decisions for 2024 - 2025:
endMS Postdoctoral Fellowships
These funding decisions are for information only. Only a fully executed Letter of Agreement will constitute the official record.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our research funding partners: Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS) and Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).
For any questions, please e-mail msresearchgrants@mscanada.ca.
Resources for Researchers
Research Application Resources
- Lay Summary Resource - Writing for a Non-Scientific Audience
- CV Instructions
- CV Template
Reporting Templates
Discovery/Catalyst Grants:
Collaborative Team Grants:
endMS Fellowship and Studentship Awards:
Other Resources
- Returning Funds - Informational Guide