The Role of the ALS Society of Canada: The ALS Society of Canada is committed to funding research  towards a cure for ALS and supporting provincial societies in their provision of quality care for people living with ALS and their families.

ALS Canada identifies and initiates excellent, peer-reviewed ALS research, conducted by some of the most renowned scientists in the world, working in Canada. Recent developments have been encouraging.

Canadians can become involved in our important cause by holding events to raise funds for ALS research and programs. Using proceeds from these initiatives, our research funding commitments will total $1.7 million in 2011.

The Neuromuscular Research Partnership (NRP), created in 1999, is a collaboration between ALS Canada and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, in  partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, (Institute of Genetics, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, and Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction).

For decades, Canadian researchers have been world leaders in the search for the causes, cures and treatment of muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders.

NRP funding promotes the development and sharing of expertise in neuromuscular research, and does much to ensure that well-established investigators, as well as promising young investigators, continue to carry out research which will lead to the development of   treatments for ALS.

We fund only the most promising projects by the finest scientists and, over the years, this strategy has been rewarded with significant advances in our knowledge of ALS. With the acceleration of results due to advances in neurology and other areas of science, we know that  effective therapies and a cure are now, more than ever, within reach.

Description:
Doctoral Research Award: To encourage cutting-edge research, ALS Canada, in partnership with the CIHR’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), created the Doctoral Research Award to fund PhD students conducting ALS-related research for up to three years, to a maximum of $35,000 per year.  

Cost of Grant: Commitment is $35,000 annually for three years, totaling $105,000.

Benefits to a Sponsor:

• Naming of the award i.e., John Doe/Jane Smith Doctoral    Research Award
• Recognition in the Annual Report
• Recognition in Coast to Coast
• Recognition at the Annual General Meeting
• Recognition on web site and through Facebook & Twitter

Description:
Fellowship in ALS Research: A fellowship recognizes and supports post-doctoral ALS researchers by awarding each recipient up to $55,000 annually for a maximum of three years. The aim of the fellowship is to encourage young scientists to pursue ALS research.

Cost of Grant: Each fellowship is a commitment of $55,000 annually for three years, totaling $165,000.

Benefits to a Sponsor:

• Naming of the award i.e., John Doe/Jane Smith Fellowship in ALS Research
• Recognition in the Annual Report
• Recognition in Coast to Coast
• Recognition at the Annual General Meeting
• Recognition on web site and through Facebook & Twitter

Description:
Clinical Fellowship in ALS Research: A new initiative beginning in 2009, this program supports specialized training in clinical care and research skills related to ALS. The program awards a researcher $100,000 per year for two years, encouraging newly trained neurologists to specialize in ALS and conduct clinical research and clinical trials in Canada.

Cost of Grant: The award is $100,000 annually for two years, totaling $200,000.

Benefits to a Sponsor:

• Naming of the award i.e., John Doe/Jane Smith Clinical Fellowship in ALS Research
• Recognition in the Annual Report
• Recognition in Coast to Coast
• Recognition at the Annual General Meeting
• Recognition on web site and through Facebook & Twitter

Description:
Discovery Grants: This ALS Canada grant program was initiated in 2008 to fund high-novelty, high-risk and potentially high-impact research proposals.  Each recipient receives a one-time grant to pursue new and promising avenues in ALS research.

Cost of Grant: The award for each grant is $100,000 to be used within 12 - 24 months.

Benefits to a Sponsor:

• Naming of the award i.e., John Doe/Jane Smith Discovery Grant
• Recognition in the Annual Report
• Recognition in Coast to Coast
• Recognition at the Annual General Meeting
• Recognition on web site and through Facebook & Twitter

For more information on funding a promising research grant, please contact: