ResearchFor researchers For researchers Supporting the next generation of Parkinson’s researchers. From pilot projects to groundbreaking discoveries, Parkinson Canada provides the funding and mentorship that turn ideas into impact. Apply for funding On this page: Our funding and review process Managing your grant Patient engagement FAQ Our funding and review process Who we fund Parkinson Canada supports researchers, clinicians, and trainees across Canada who are advancing our understanding of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. We fund research at all career stages, from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to early-career investigators and clinician scientists. This includes projects in: Biomedical research Clinical research Health services research Population health research Our funding also supports patient engagement and collaborative initiatives that strengthen Parkinson’s research and care nationwide. How we evaluate grants All applications submitted to Parkinson Canada are evaluated through a rigorous peer review process overseen by Scientific Reviewers on the Parkinson Canada Advisory Council composed of leading neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists from across Canada. This process is a cornerstone of our research program and ensures fair, objective, and high-quality adjudication of all funding applications. Each funding program has specific review criteria, which are outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA) for each award. Applicants are encouraged to review the criteria carefully, as assessment standards may vary by funding opportunity The review process Parkinson Canada’s peer review process is supported by two expert advisory councils, each aligned to the career stage and funding level of the application. The process also includes reviewers with lived experience, ensuring that the perspectives of people living with Parkinson’s are considered in funding decisions. Reviewers assess applications based on their subject‑matter expertise and provide detailed scores and written comments. Following individual reviews, council members convene for a full adjudication meeting to discuss applications and determine final scores and funding recommendations. Scientific Advisory Council Reviews faculty-level grants, including the New Investigator Award (NIA) and Pilot Project Grant (PPG). Supports later-career and independent investigators. Trainee Advisory Council Reviews trainee-level awards, including the Graduate Student Award (GSA), Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PRF), Clinical Movement Disorder Fellowship (CMDF), and Clinician Scientist Research Fellowship (CSRF). Lived Experience Reviewers Composed of people living with Parkinson’s or care partners, they evaluate Project Impact and Patient Engagement statements. Interested in joining? Contact research@parkinson.ca Turn your ideas into impact Have a promising idea to advance Parkinson’s research? Parkinson Canada funds projects at all career stages, helping turn innovative ideas into discoveries. Apply today and join the next generation of Parkinson’s research leaders. Apply for funding Managing your grant Once funding is awarded, Parkinson Canada supports awardees through a structured grant management process. 1 Award acceptance and setup Successful applicants are required to accept their funding agreement, submit required institutional documentation, and complete their awardee profile. 2 Ongoing compliance and acknowledgement Award holders are expected to conduct their research in accordance with institutional ethics approvals and applicable regulations, and to appropriately acknowledge Parkinson Canada’s support in publications, presentations, and public communications. 3 Reporting Researchers are required to submit reports outlining research progress, outcomes, and outputs, including publications, presentations, and emerging impacts. Progress reports are required at the one‑year mark for the Graduate Student Award (GSA), Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PRF), New Investigator Award (NIA), and Clinician Scientist Research Fellowship (CSRF), and at the six‑month mark for the Pilot Project Grant (PPG). Final reports are collected at the end of each grant term. In some cases, post award reports are requested after the end of the grant term to capture longer term outcomes and follow on research activity. Templates can be found below and vary by funding program. 4 Knowledge sharing and engagement Award holders may be invited to share progress or findings through Parkinson Canada meetings, events, or knowledge sharing activities, supporting collaboration and exchange across the research community. Read our General Policies Template documents Biographical Sketch Template (for trainees) Biographical Sketch Template (for PIs) Budget Template (NIA) Budget Template (PPG) Sign and Date form (trainees) Sign and Date Form (PIs) Progress Report (NIA) Progress Report (PPG) Progress Report (GSA, PDF, CSRF) Final Report (PPG, NIA) Final Report (CMDF) Final Report (GSA, PDF, CSRF) Post-Award Report (NIA) Post-Award Report (PPG) Post-Award Report (CMDF) Post-Award Report (GSA, PDF, CSRF) Patient engagement Patient engagement is a core pillar of Parkinson Canada’s research program. We are committed to ensuring that the perspectives, priorities, and lived experiences of people affected by Parkinson’s meaningfully inform the research we fund—from study design through to impact and knowledge sharing. People with lived experience of Parkinson’s play an active role in our research funding process through lived experience review, where they assess project impact and patient engagement plans and contribute directly to funding decisions. To further support researchers, Parkinson Canada convenes quarterly PLEX Advisory Council meetings. These sessions provide an open forum for researchers to ask patient engagement–related questions, receive feedback on study design and engagement approaches, and learn how to meaningfully involve people affected by Parkinson’s throughout their research. For more information on these meetings please reach out to research@parkinson.ca Frequently asked questions When do applications for the annual competition open? Applications typically open in early August. Specific dates will be updated on the Apply for Funding page. When are applicants for the annual competition notified? Notifications of application status are released in early March. How are applications evaluated? Applications are evalauted through a peer review process by expert scientific and lived experience reviewers. See our Funding and Review Process for more information. Will I receive feedback if my application is not funded? Yes, all reviewer comments will be shared with you when decision announcements are made. How should Parkinson Canada Funding be acknowledged? All publications, scientific exhibits, presentaions, press releases and other media announcements related to the funded research project will be acknowledged as follows “We gratefully acknowledge the funding support for this research from Parkinson Canada” and include an up to date Parkinson Canada logo. Who do I contact if I have questions during the application or grant period? Please reach out to research@parkinson.ca Can I apply for more than one funding opportunity in the same competition? An applicant cannot submit more than one grant application or be listed as a co-Principal Investigator on another application in the same competition cycle. Please check individual grant program RFA for more details. Can trainees hold multiple awards concurrently with the Parkinson Canada awards? Yes. Trainees may hold multiple scholarships, fellowships, studentships, salary awards, or other research awards concurrently with a Parkinson Canada award, provided that the combined annual value of overlapping awards remains below the allowable threshold. Trainees may hold additional scholarships or small awards alongside the GSA or PRF, provided the combined annual total does not exceed $40,000 (GSA) or $70,000 (PRF). Applicants who currently hold, or expect to receive, overlapping funding should disclose this information in their application. Parkinson Canada reserves the right to review overlapping funding on a case-by-case basis and may adjust award amounts accordingly. What’s the difference between a principal investigator, co-principal investigator, co-investigator, and collaborator? The roles of project team members differ based on their level of leadership, responsibility, and contribution to the proposed research. Principal investigator (PI): The PI is responsible for the overall leadership, scientific direction, administration, and conduct of the research project. The PI serves as the primary point of contact with Parkinson Canada and is accountable for meeting all reporting and funding requirements. Co-principal investigator (co-PI): A person who shares responsibility with the principal investigator for the overall leadership, design, and direction of the research project. A co‑PI is jointly accountable for the scientific conduct of the project and for meeting reporting and accountability requirements. Co‑principal Investigators must meet the eligibility criteria of a principal investigator. Co-investigator: A person who provides specialized expertise and leads specific components of the research project under the direction of the principal investigator or co‑principal investigator(s). Co‑investigators play an active role in conducting the proposed activities but are not responsible for the overall leadership or governance of the project. Collaborator: A person whose role is to provide specific support, technical, advisory, or service‑based contributions to the research project (e.g., access to data, equipment, patient populations, specialized analyses, or training in a specific technique). Collaborators do not contribute to the intellectual direction of the project and do not share responsibility for its overall conduct. When determining team member roles, applicants should consider the level of responsibility everyone has for the scientific leadership and execution of the project. As part of the application, applicants will be asked to describe the role and involvement of each team member and explain the specific expertise, resources, or perspectives they will contribute to the success of the proposed project. Can a principal investigator and a trainee both apply for Parkinson Canada funding for the same project? The roles of project team members differ Yes. A principal investigator (PI) and a trainee may both apply for Parkinson Canada funding related to the same research project. However, if both are successful, the funding will be reviewed to ensure there is no duplication of salary support for the same person. If a trainee is supported through a PI’s project grant and later receives a Parkinson Canada graduate student award or postdoctoral research fellowship, Parkinson Canada will normally adjust the funding accordingly. This typically involves deducting the trainee’s salary support from the PI’s grant for the period in which the funding overlaps. Parkinson Canada reserves the right to adjust awarded budgets to prevent overlapping salary support and to ensure fair and appropriate use of program funds. How are lived experience reviewers involved in the application review process? Lived experience reviewers assess the lay summary and project impact statement sections of each application. Their input contributes 20% of the overall application score, helping ensure that funded research is relevant, meaningful, and aligned with the real-world needs, priorities, and experiences of people living with Parkinson’s in Canada. For more information about their role in the review process, please see the lived experience reviewers page. Help fund the next breakthrough Many promising Parkinson’s research projects go unfunded. Donors like you make the Parkinson Canada Research Program possible. Every month One time In honour In memory Donate