CanNRT - CanFRN

Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT) Fellowship Awards

The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT) and Brain Canada Foundation are pleased to announce a new partnership that will strengthen the CanNRT Fellowship, CanNRT’s flagship program for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinical fellows in neurodevelopmental research.

Through this partnership, the existing CanNRT Fellowship now becomes the CanNRT-Brain Canada Fellowship. The program will continue to recognize research excellence while providing Fellows with the funding, mentorship, training, and national connections needed to build meaningful careers in neurodevelopmental research.

CanNRT is a collaborative training environment that supports research excellence, and sustainable and equitable pathways for early career researchers in neurodevelopmental conditions across Canada through multidisciplinary cross-sector learning, mentorship, and connectivity.

Brain Canada Foundation is a national registered charity that enables and supports excellent, innovative brain research in Canada. Brain Canada’s vision is to understand the brain, in health and illness, to improve lives and achieve societal impact. Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, an arrangement with the Government of Canada through Health Canada, Brain Canada helps maximize investments in brain research and accelerate the pace of discovery. Learn more about Brain Canada.

Benefits of the CanNRT Fellowship

CanNRT and Brain Canada recognize that excellence in neurodevelopmental research requires training that extends beyond academic knowledge and technical expertise. The Fellowship is designed to empower Fellows to become leaders in both scientific research and other sectors where critical capacity is needed.

Successful candidates will be enrolled in the program for up to three years and will benefit from capacity-building opportunities, including:

Entry Award: Fellows will receive an enrollment award ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 CAD, depending on their career stage. This one-year award can be held during the period of enrolment, starting on September 1, 2027 or January 1, 2028.
Applicants who hold competitive federal or provincial fellowships are encouraged to apply but must decline the enrollment award if the external award period overlaps with the three-year term of this program.
Training Passport: Fellows will receive up to $2,000 CAD annually (for the duration of their enrollment in the program) to support their engagement in activities tailored to their career development, such as attending conferences, pursuing additional training opportunities, and organizing trainee-led workshops.
Annual Summer School: Fellows will take part in a one-week immersive learning and networking experience held in Montreal (Québec) from August 18-22, 2025 —bringing together all Fellows with mentors from diverse sectors and disciplines.
Acceptance into the program is conditional on attending the Annual Summer School. Travel and accommodation expenses are covered by CanNRT.
Networking Opportunities: CanNRT Fellows will have numerous opportunities to network with CanNRT Faculty and members and discuss their research at various annual events, including major conferences such as INSAR, CAN, and SfN.
And more… Additional opportunities and support will be offered throughout the fellowship, catering to Fellows’ evolving needs and interests.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be Canadian or international trainees enrolled in a Canadian university as a graduate student (master's or doctoral level), or as postdoctoral or clinical fellows at the start of the fellowship;
Conduct research relevant to neurodevelopment and associated conditions (e.g., genetics, cellular and animal models, cognition, neuroscience, and interventions).Multidisciplinary, innovative and translational research is encouraged;
Be CanNRT members. To become a CanNRT member, register here;
Participate in and contribute to CanNRT activities.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated using CIHR criteria and weighting.

Language

Applications may be submitted in either English or French.

Questions?

For more information, visit our website