The Alzheimer Society Research Program

The Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) is supported by generous donors and partner organizations. Each year, Brain Canada Foundation provides significant funding to drive our innovative research program, and support our Dementia Talks! Canada series.

The ASRP 2024 competition is also supported by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA), Research Manitoba and Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé. The ASRP has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), an innovative arrangement between the government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, and Alzheimer Society of Canada.

What is the Alzheimer Society Research Program?

The Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) is one of Canada's most innovative hubs for dementia research, helping the best and brightest minds in the field spark their work from ideas to impact.

This program is changing dementia research in Canada.

Since the program's start in 1989, we have invested nearly $73 million in grants and awards toward innovative research that brings us closer to a future without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The Alzheimer Society Research Program has two goals:

encourage researchers to explore radical new ways to advance our knowledge of dementia
improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers

Read about our 2023 funding recipients and learn more about the researchers and projects making an impact on dementia in Canada.

How can researchers get funding from the Alzheimer Society Research Program?

For more information on how to apply, key dates, funding categories, guidelines and frequently asked questions, please check out Alzheimer.ca/Apply.

The ASRP offers funding in four categories. These are Doctoral, Postdoctoral, the New Investigator Operating Grant and the Proof of Concept Grant.

In 2019, the Alzheimer Society Research Program shifted into an open competition that focuses on varying funding priorities: Basic science research, clinical, health services and population health. Applications in other aspects of dementia research, such as cause, prevention, risk, technology, social science and psychosocial interventions are also considered.

See the infographic below for the program's eight funding priorities and how they are weighed when funding is allotted.

Examples of research funded through the Alzheimer Society Research Program

Through the support of this program, dementia researchers across Canada were able to work on projects like:

"An intergenerational choir that provides a voice for people with dementia and caregivers through the power of music."

— Dr. Debra Sheets, University of Victoria

"Using MRI to predict the onset of dementia — 20 to 25 years before symptoms appear."

— Dr. Simon Duchesne, Université Laval

"Adopting new and accessible technology such as iPads to emphasize person-centered care in hospitals."

— Dr. Lillian Hung, Simon Fraser University

Supporting the Alzheimer Society Research Program

The Alzheimer Society Research Program is a collaborative effort. The Alzheimer Society of Canada would like to thank the following:

Our donors

None of the research funded through the Alzheimer Society Research Program could be possible without your support. If you are interested in supporting dementia research through this program, please donate today.

Our funding partners

Thank you to our funding partners who expand the reach and impact of our national research program.

Brain Canada
Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Aging
Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQS)
Research Manitoba
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation

Alzheimer Societies across Canada

We also extend our thanks to the Alzheimer Societies who generously contribute to the Alzheimer Society Research Program each year: