Applications Now Open for $700,000 in ALS Research Funding
Earlier this month, AARN announced the call for applications for two new research awards – an award for Established Programs and another for Early-Stage Research.
When deciding what awards to create over the last 18 months since AARN got up and running, the Steering Committee has relied on some guiding principles.
First, AARN’s Founding Priorities:
- Ensure that Albertans living with ALS have access to evidence-based research participation.
- Provide start-up and matching funds to innovative Alberta-based ALS research intended to leverage investment to attract larger-scale support.
- Expand established Alberta-based research initiatives at additional Alberta-based universities.
- Leverage existing Alberta research infrastructure to support novel, cutting-edge projects.
- Attract and train the next generation of Alberta ALS researchers.
And, second, AARN’s Funding Pillars:
- Access to research participation
- Network building
- Researcher training
- Established research program investment
- New research development
The Established Program Award speaks directly to many of those core priorities. Established ALS research programs are the most likely to be relevant to people currently living with ALS in our province, which is a deeply important part of our mission. A program like CAPTURE ALS, which is a Canada-wide natural history study that was started by Dr. Sanjay Kalra at the University of Alberta is a perfect example of such a program. Supporting a program like CAPTURE ALS means the initiative, which already has about 120 participants across four sites, can afford to expand to include more Canadians (including more Albertans) living with the disease.
Established Program Award At a Glance
- Number of Grants: 2
- Amount: $200,000 per grant
- Term: 2 years
- Call announced: Oct 1, 2026
- Application deadline: Dec 1, 2026
- Notification of award: Jan 15, 2027
- Funding begins: April 1, 2027
Click here for Terms of Reference and application instructions.
The Early-Stage Research Award is also an elemental addition to AARN’s funding portfolio. These awards help Early Career Researchers grow and scale their work so they can attract larger grants down the road. Funding early-stage research can also be instrumental in making ALS a researcher’s career-long focus.
Early-Stage Research Program Award At a Glance
- Number of Grants: 3
- Amount: $100,000 per grant
- Term: 2 years
- Call announced: Oct 1, 2026
- Application deadline: Dec 1, 2026
- Notification of award: February 2027
- Funding begins: March 2027
Click here for Terms of Reference and application instructions.
Have questions? Send me an email at kelsie@alsab.ca.
