Every breakthrough begins with a question, a spark, a moment of curiosity. And behind every discovery is a community that believes in progress.
We’re proud to be the largest dedicated funder of neuromuscular research in Canada. Thanks to Fire Fighters and our community of donors, we’ve invested more than $65 million in research grants and awards since 1954.
Our research partnerships enable donor dollars to go further by leveraging additional funding from organizations whose work intersects with our focus on the neuromuscular community.
The research we fund has a clear goal: to enhance care for the neuromuscular community in Canada by improving the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.
Translational research is the cornerstone of scientific discovery. This work studies cell and animal models to learn about the biological building blocks of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs).
Clinical research aims to develop better treatments, enhance care, and shape policies that make a difference. By reducing health complications and improving quality of life, we set new standards of care that make a real difference.
If only there were unlimited funds to invest in neuromuscular research! Because there aren’t, we hold annual funding competitions and invite Canada’s neuromuscular research community to submit proposals.
Our VP of Research and Public Policy oversees this process, with input and evaluation provided by medical and scientific experts as well as individuals with lived experience. This approach ensures we are funding the best-quality research in the country that is relevant to people affected by NMDs.
*Co-funded through our partnership with the Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C)
Visit our Research Hub for details about our funding competitions and to find resources for neuromuscular professionals.
Visit our Research Hub for details about our funding competitions and to find resources for neuromuscular professionals.
Working with other groups and organizations means more time and effort is invested in research that will help the neuromuscular community.
Our partnerships help donor dollars go further by leveraging expertise and resources from other groups and organizations who can contribute meaningfully to our cause.
The Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C) brings together clinical, scientific, technical, and patient expertise to improve care, research, and collaboration for neuromuscular disorders. This work is supported by a five-year grant of $1 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. We contribute matching funds and participate on NMD4C’s leadership team.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada is proud to be recognized as a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)-Eligible Institution — an achievement earned by only a few health charities following rigorous review. This designation enables us to directly lead CIHR-funded research, with recent awards underscoring national confidence in our work. This milestone strengthens our role in advancing innovation, collaboration, and evidence to shape practice, policy, and lives.
Through our partnership with Genome Quebec and Ataxia Canada, we are funding research into hereditary ataxias so people affected by these rare neurological diseases can benefit from genomic innovations and to encourage the development of innovative therapies.
We partner with the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) to ensure biological data from people with rarer neuromuscular disorders is captured for use by researchers and clinicians, with the goal of ensuring better access to clinical trials and life-changing treatments.
