The Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) welcomes today's announcement by the Government of Canada and Brain Canada formally launching the Canada Brain Research Fund.

TORONTO, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - "This is a great day for science in Canada," stated Yves De Koninck, President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience and Co-chair of Brain Canada's Science Advisory Committee (SAC). "I know that I speak for our entire membership when I say that the Fund represents an important vote of confidence by the Government of Canada in the Canadian brain research community."

"Canada has a unique opportunity to take global leadership in meeting the challenge of brain disorders," added David Kaplan SAC Co-chair.  "The key to realizing this opportunity is to ensure that Canada's world-class researchers in this area have funding of the scale and scope required to encourage research that has application across multiple diseases.  The Canada Brain Research Fund delivers on all counts."

The Canada Brain Research Fund is a public-private partnership designed to stimulate private donations to support transformative brain research. The Government of Canada selected Brain Canada as the steward of the Fund in 2011.  Brain Canada will raise $100 million from private donors, which will be matched by government on a 1:1 basis over the next five years.

The Fund was developed in partnership with CAN and builds on a successful model pioneered by Brain Canada that supported several multidisciplinary, collaborative teams of researchers over the past decade.  This initiative (known as the Brain Repair Program) delivered important breakthroughs into a number of brain disorders such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and chronic pain. The Fund will also provide fellowships to attract and retain the next generation of researchers, and operating support for technology platforms to ensure that investments in infrastructure can be fully utilized.

The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is the largest association dedicated to neuroscience research in Canada.

For further information or to request an interview, please contact:
Julie Poupart, Communications Director
Canadian Association for Neuroscience
[email protected]
www.can-acn.org