Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) is the single largest funder of neuromuscular research in Canada. Through our research funding, we are committed to advancing research that will ultimately lead to cures for neuromuscular disorders.

MDC‘s annual Neuromuscular Disorder Research Grant Program invests in clinical and translational research projects related to the diagnosis, treatment, or clinical care of neuromuscular disorders. These research grants help fill current gaps in the funding landscape. We support investigators that develop new research projects and create proof-of-concept, feasibility and pilot studies. This is in preparation for larger-scale, longer-term grants from external sources.

If you would like to receive notifications about research opportunities, please email research@muscle.ca

For more information on the scope and guidelines of this competition, please see below. All applications are available online at proposalCENTRAL.

2024-2025 clinical and translational science research grant recipients:

MDC is pleased to announce the nine recipients of the annual Neuromuscular Research Grants competition. Through these grants, MDC is investing $900,000 into clinical and translational research projects focused on managing healthcare, understanding diagnosis and disease progression, enhancing care, discovering novel treatments and therapies and moving research towards the development of cures.

Dr Haim Abenhaim
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of cesarean deliveries in women with muscular dystrophy

Dr Krista Best
Efficacy of wheelchair skills training to improve mobility for people with ARSACS and DM1

Dr Nathalie Bier
Understanding the impact of central nervous system impairments on daily life in myotonic dystrophy

Dr Rageen Rajendram
Utilizing AI to predict non-invasive ventilation need in neuromuscular disorders: a proof of concept

Dr Karine Choquet
Elucidating DYSF pre-mRNA splicing to inform therapeutic avenues for dysferlinopathies

Dr Lisa Hoffman
Angiopoietin-1 enhances microdystrophin replacement therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Dr Rashmi Kothary
Maternal transfer of AAV vectors: a minimally invasive approach to deliver SMN-gene therapy for SMA

Dr Keir Menzies
A new in vitro eccentric muscle contraction assay for drug repurposing for muscular dystrophy

Dr Gerald Pfeffer
Single nucleus RNAseq biomarkers in adult-onset muscle diseases

Learn more about MDC’s research investments and the incredible projects that will improve our understanding and drive the development of new treatments and cures for NMDs:

Watch the full Neuromuscular Research
Grants announcement

Current Grants

2024-2025 Research Grant Competition Deadlines:

  • Competition Opens: September 5, 2023
  • Competition Closes: November 17, 2023 at 11:59 pm (EDT)
  • Notice of Decision: March 2024

See also:

Apply

Clinical Research Grant  Translational Science Seed Grant

Guidelines