Montreal, Canada – December 4, 2025 – Brain Canada, Weizmann Canada, and the Weizmann Institute of Science are proud to announce a renewed international collaboration to advance cutting-edge brain research. This partnership builds on a shared commitment to accelerate discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the brain and lead to transformative breakthroughs in neuroscience.
About the Program
The 2025 initiative will provide a total funding envelope of $2.5 million, supporting five collaborative research grants of $500,000 each over two years. Each grant will bring together Canadian and Israeli scientists to pursue bold, hypothesis-driven projects that leverage complementary expertise and resources. Research may span basic, translational, and clinical approaches, including studies on fundamental brain mechanisms, disease-related dysfunction, novel therapeutic strategies, and innovative methods to address critical barriers in neuroscience.
Building on Past Success
This announcement follows the success of the inaugural collaboration, which funded pioneering projects that advanced knowledge in areas such as neural circuit mapping and innovative therapeutic approaches. Read about the first recipients of the Brain Canada & Weizmann Institute of Science Team Grants.
Why the Weizmann Institute
The Weizmann Institute is recognized globally for excellence in basic research. In the 2025 Leiden Ranking, it placed sixth in the world for research quality. Its scientists are leaders in fundamental brain research, from how neurons communicate and memories are formed, to the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative and other brain disorders. Their work exemplifies how curiosity-driven science generates insights that lay the groundwork for future diagnostics, treatments, and technologies.
Quotes
“International collaboration is essential to tackling the complexity of brain science. By combining Canadian and Israeli expertise, we can accelerate discoveries that will improve lives worldwide,” said Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.
“Our partnership with the Canadian research community continues to gain momentum, driven by a shared commitment to excellence and discovery. With this expanded collaboration, we are empowering scientists to tackle some of the most pressing questions in neuroscience and to forge new paths toward understanding the brain,” said Prof. Alon Chen, President of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
“Scientific progress advance that much faster when brilliant minds come together across borders. The success of our first joint grants made that clear, and it’s why we’re expanding this program to fund more teams,” said Susan Stern, CEO of Weizmann Canada. “This investment reflects the strength of the partnership between Brain Canada, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Weizmann Canada, as well as the generosity of the Canadian philanthropic community that makes collaborations of this scale possible.”
“By bringing together Canadian and Israeli scientists, this program creates the conditions for fresh ideas to take shape and for breakthroughs to emerge more quickly and reach further. It’s a privilege to support work with this level of impact, need, and urgency,” says Dr. Daniel C. Andreae.
Weizmann Canada and Brain Canada gratefully acknowledge the visionary support of Dr. Andreae and other philanthropic partners whose commitment to bold, curiosity-driven research has helped make this renewed program possible.
This program has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) Brain Canada Foundation, and the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Key Dates
• Launch of Request for Applications: December 4, 2025
• Registration Deadline: February 3, 2026
• Full Application Deadline: April 16, 2026
• Funding Begins: September 1, 2026
This collaboration underscores the importance of global partnerships in driving scientific breakthroughs and improving lives. By investing in research that crosses borders, we can unlock new insights into the brain and pave the way for better treatments and prevention strategies.
For more information about the program and upcoming funding opportunities, visit Brain Canada’s website: https://braincanada.ca/funding-opportunities/.
About the Weizmann Institute of Science
The Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel is one of the world’s top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions. Noted for its wide-ranging exploration of the natural and exact sciences, Weizmann Institute’s scientists are advancing research on the human brain, artificial intelligence, computer science and encryption, and astrophysics and particle physics, and are tackling diseases such as cancer, while also addressing climate change through environmental, ocean, and plant sciences.
About Weizmann Canada
Since 1964, Weizmann Canada has partnered with individuals, families, foundations, and the business community to develop funding for the Weizmann Institute of Science; share the Institute’s research with the Canadian public; and promote science literacy and education across all age groups. Weizmann Canada hosts interactive evenings with Institute scientists across the country, provides opportunities for participation in educational programs for high school students and young adults, and brings Canadians a front-row seat to research that has changed–and will continue to change–the world.
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world. This project is made possible in part thanks to the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and Brain Canada. To learn more about how Brain Canada accelerates, amplifies and funds brain research, visit www.braincanada.ca.
