Funding opportunities
Funding opportunities for ground-breaking research studies that focus on improving the brain and mental health outcomes of children and youth.
Paediatric Health Outcomes
This funding strives to improve the brain and mental health outcomes of children and youth by supporting the development of new ideas and interventions that would not qualify for funding through typical granting agencies.
A focus on health outcomes is key! You must implement unique concepts, approaches or methodologies that will catalyze improved paediatric brain and mental health outcomes. Grants of up to $100,000 ($50,000/year for two years) will be awarded for novel project proposals focused on improving brain and mental health outcomes in children and youth. The project must be collaborative, innovative and based on sound clinical and/or scientific rationale. Preliminary data is not required.
Eligibility:
Principal applicants should be SickKids staff members including researchers, clinical staff, fellows, research associates and directors/managers/coordinators.
Timeline:
The competition runs annually in the spring.
Funding recipients of 2026:
Chase an Idea in Paediatric Neuroscience
This funding supports the discovery of new and potentially ground-breaking ideas that would not receive funding through typical granting agencies.
Innovation is key! You must truly be chasing an out-of-the-box, provocative and high-risk idea that can move the field of brain and mental health forward. A suite of catalyst grants of up to $65,000 each are awarded for one year research projects that are novel and innovative yet based on sound rationale and evidence for feasibility in:
- Basic or clinical neuroscience or behavioral research and/or
- Knowledge translation in clinical neuroscience or behavioral care
Submissions to this grant competition should only be made for new projects. The continuation of existing projects will not be supported. Applications should be written for a broad audience (clinicians and researchers) and not specifically for experts in their field.
Eligibility:
Principal applicants should be SickKids staff members including researchers, clinical staff, fellows, research associates and directors/managers/coordinators.
Timeline:
The competition runs annually in the fall.
Past recipients of 2025:
Brain & Mental Health Innovation fund
This funding supports Centre members who are applying to external granting agencies that require matching funds.
The Brain & Mental Health Innovation Fund is a key initiative of the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health (GH-CBMH). This fund supports Centre members applying to external grant agencies that require matching funds. Eligible projects may receive up to $50,000 per year for a maximum of two years (totaling $100,000 CAD). A limited number of awards are available each year, with priority given to awarding at least one grant in the Spring and one in the Fall.
Eligibility:
- Lead applicant – must be employed by SickKids and hold a Research Institute (RI) appointment that permits managing external grants (including project investigators)
- Membership – both Lead Applicants and Co-Applicants must be registered Centre members
- Granting Agency and Competition – funding agency must be external to SickKids and proposals must undergo a formal peer-review process and adhere to the SickKids Matched Funding Policy.
- Research Focus – project must address brain or mental health research relevant to children or youth, or fundamental aspects of brain development, and align with the GH-CBMH strategic priorities
Please contact the GH‑CBMH team to request the full guidelines and application form.
Timeline:
Applications to the Brain & Mental Health Innovation Fund are accepted on a rolling basis. Decisions typically take up to four weeks, though additional time may be required. Early submission is encouraged, as review cannot be guaranteed with limited lead time. Once the annual funding cap is reached, the portal will close and reopen at the start of the next fiscal year (March).
Past recipients:
Educational Initiative Sponsorships
This sponsorship supports Centre members in delivering high-impact educational activities that advance knowledge exchange, collaboration, and capacity-building in brain and mental health.
This program provides funding for educational initiatives led by GH-CBMH members, including conferences, symposia, workshops, seminars, and trainee-focused activities. The program supports knowledge translation and community engagement, while advancing initiatives aligned with the Centre’s strategic priorities in brain and mental health. Funding of up to $5,000 per initiative is available through a streamlined application process.
Eligibility:
Open to GH-CBMH Centre members who are SickKids staff and are leading or coordinating educational initiatives in brain and mental health. Initiatives must demonstrate value to trainees, clinicians, researchers, or the broader community, and align with Centre priorities. Applicants may be required to provide a budget, initiative overview, and disclosure of other funding sources.
Please contact the GH‑CBMH team to request the full guidelines and application form.
Timeline:
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
- Submissions must be received at least 2 months prior to the initiative start date
For any questions or further inquiries, please email piyanka.sivarajah@sickkids.ca