UBC researchers awarded more than $6.5 million to advance neuroscience research

UBC Department of Orthopaedics researcher Dr. Brian Kwon is one of two UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers who have been awarded more than $6.5 million from Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program to support two innovative neuroscience research platforms. The funding will help accelerate discovery and foster open science, positioning Canada at the forefront of global brain and spine health research.

Led by Dr. Brian Kwon, International Spinal Cord Injury Biobank (ISCIB): Promoting Global Spinal Cord Injury Research Through Human Biobanking will expand access to vital human biological samples for spinal cord injury research, enabling researchers worldwide to advance treatments and improve outcomes for patients. Total Grant Awarded: $1,866,750

This platform represents a critical step toward advancing spinal cord injury research globally. By providing access to high-quality human biosamples, we’re enabling researchers worldwide to develop and test new treatments that could dramatically improve quality of life for patients.
— Dr. Brian Kwon, Professor, UBC Department of Orthopaedics and Director, ICORD

The second research platform, led by Dr. Mark Cembrowski, UBC Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The University of British Columbia Genes, Cells and Circuits (UBC-GC2) Platform for Next-Generation Multiscale Brain Research will integrate state-of-the-art technologies to map brain function and connectivity from molecules to entire circuits, unlocking insights into complex brain disorders. Total Grant Awarded: $4,845,000

These platforms exemplify UBC’s commitment to advancing neuroscience and fostering collaboration within and beyond Canada’s borders. They are part of Brain Canada’s broader Platform Support Grants (PSG) initiative, which has already invested in numerous projects across Canada to empower researchers with shared tools, data resources, and collaborative opportunities. The full list of funded platforms will be unveiled later this month.

Brain Canada is contributing over $18 million in this year’s PSG program through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), funded by Health Canada, as well as matching donations from sponsors for a total investment of $36.8 million. By enabling access to cutting-edge tools and specialized skills beyond the reach of individual researchers, the PSG program plays a vital role in strengthening the research landscape.

Read the full announcement, “Advancing neuroscience to accelerate discovery,” on the Brain Canada website.