Rene Prashad, PhD

Rene Prashad joined the Weston Family Foundation as Research Programs Specialist at the Weston Brain Institute in 2014, before transitioning to his current role as Senior Program Manager in 2021. He is responsible for the Foundation’s neuroscience scaling initiatives, including the Weston Family Focused Ultrasound Initiative at Sunnybrook.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Rene worked in various industries such as life science, finance and retail.

Rene has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience, a Master of Science in Neurophysiology, and a PhD in Neurophysiology from the University of Toronto.

Cristina Tang, PhD

Cristina Tang (she/her) joined the Weston Family Foundation as a Research Programs Specialist in 2015, before transitioning to her current role in 2021. She is responsible for the administration of the Weston Brain Institute programs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Cristina was Program Lead of Industry Relations at the Ontario Brain Institute, and before that, she worked for two years at various biotech and pharma companies.

Cristina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto.

Jeff Coull, PhD

Jeff Coull commenced work with the Weston Family Foundation as a contract Executive Director of the Weston Brain Institute in 2019, before taking on the responsibilities of Head of Strategic Initiatives and Programs in 2021. In his current role he contributes to undertakings of the Foundation that fall outside of the normal scope of its philanthropic activities.

Prior to working with the Foundation, Jeff started and ran several small biotechnology companies seeking to discover novel treatments for pain, inflammatory bowel disease and other indications. In addition to serving the Foundation, he advises various entities in the life sciences space.

Jeff holds a PhD in pharmacology from McGill University, where he studied spinal mechanisms contributing to chronic pain, and was awarded a BSc (Hons) from Queen’s University.

Geordie Stewart, PhD

Geordie Stewart joined the Weston Family Foundation in 2016. He is responsible for the oversight of all programming related to the Microbiome.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Geordie co-founded and led several innovative technology firms and also served as an advisor to many Canadian entrepreneurs. Previous to this, he worked as a PhD researcher with the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University, where he focused on the exploration of complex aspects of bacterial biology and the development of new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.

Geordie has a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Biochemistry, a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and an MBA from McMaster University.

Weston Family Microbiome Initiative

An 3D rendering of the human skeletal system inside the figure of a man

What We Do

It is only recently that scientists have begun to uncover how and to what extent the microbiome affects our general health and well-being. Traditionally we think of bacteria as harmful organisms that cause infectious diseases, but growing evidence suggests that our microbial ecosystem plays a critical role in a healthy functioning body.

As a part of our Healthy Aging strategy, the Weston Family Microbiome Initiative provides support for innovative microbiome research in Canada. We seek to accelerate the application of the microbiome in improving healthy aging.

What We Fund

Although our work is continuously evolving, currently we have three priorities for our funding:

  1. Brain Health
    Improving brain health using novel therapies and preventative strategies that leverage the microbiome
  2. Immunity
    Improving immune function and disease resistance through improved microbiome health
  3. Diet and Nutrition
    Leveraging the microbiome to maximize the health benefits of diet and nutrition

Funded projects typically focus on preventative strategies to improve overall health, such as diet modifications, and therapeutic interventions.

For current funding opportunities, please see our Grant Calls or follow us on Twitter @westonfamilyfdn.

Featured Programs

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Proof-of-Principle

Learn More
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Brain Health

Learn More

Catalyst 2020

This funding opportunity will provide research grants of up to $450,000 over a maximum of 36 months to support early-career researchers in undertaking highly innovative projects in the microbiome sciences.

Please refer to the Program Details and Request for Applications (RFA) for more information and details on how to apply.

Program Overview

Goal: To accelerate the development and application of new technologies and approaches that leverage the microbiome to improve health.

Funding: Up to $450,000 per project over up to 36 months. $1.8 million (approx. 4 projects) total.

Applicant Eligibility: Lead by an early career researcher (<5 years active) at the level of assistant professor or higher) for the tenure of the award.

Project Eligibility:

  • Conduct translational research and development focused on delivering new microbiome-based health strategies or implementation studies focused on the application and adoption of microbiome-based health strategies.
  • Strive to develop a new recommendation, intervention, technology, system or preventative strategy that improves health by leveraging the microbiome.
  • Be in any relevant discipline including biomedical, dietary, engineering, information technology, social science, etc.
  • Full definitions can be found in the Program Details document.

Application Process

  1. Confirm intent to apply by emailing microbiome@westonfoundation.ca
  2. Submit a completed Letter of Intent (see template below)

Important dates

Information Webinar: October 2nd, 13th, 2020 @ 1:00pm EST (register here)
LOI deadline: Rolling, final submission Nov 30th, 2020 @ 2:00pm EST
Proposal deadline: Rolling (5 week period for submission)
Anticipated award notification: Rolling

Transformational Research: Canada 2020

Neurodegenerative diseases of aging are among the least understood and most undertreated diseases today. If ignored, the social and economic costs of managing these diseases will continue to rise. Meeting these challenges requires pioneering approaches to accelerating treatments.

The Transformational Research: Canada program funds transformative, novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research projects. Projects can be from $300,000 to $1,500,000.

*The deadline for submitting applications to the Transformational Research: Canada 2020 program has now passed*

To see the results of the program and grantees awarded, please visit: Nearly $10 million in grants awarded to neuroscience researchers across Canada.

Continuing for 2020

  • For the Transformational Research: Canada 2019 program, no preliminary data is required; instead it can be collected as an initial milestone with well defined, quantifiable go/no-go criteria. The structure of the project and budget should match the quality of the preliminary data.
  • Expanding the type of complementary approaches eligible for funding to other lifestyle interventions including but not limited to: speech therapy, cognitive therapy, music therapy, social interaction, if these applications meet our other scope criteria and have specific supportive evidence/justification (from published literature or unpublished data) to warrant further investigation.
  • Encouraging applications that bring in other fields such as: AI, big data, machine learning, data science, and computer science.

Program Overview

Goal: To provide funding for translational research that will accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

Funding:  A maximum of $1,500,000 over up to 3 years per project. Encouraging applications at all funding levels from $300,000 to $1,500,000, without need for preliminary data.

Applicant Eligibility: Eligible Principal Applicants must be researchers working in Canada at least 30% of the time at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent, and be affiliated with a Canada Revenue Agency-qualified donee institution located in Canada. Co-Applicants/Collaborators must be at the post-doctoral level or above and can be working outside Canada.

Applicants may appear in any role on any number of projects.

Project Eligibility: Projects must meet the following conditions to be eligible:

  • Be translational research (excluding clinical trials and clinical trial sub-studies) that accelerates the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
    • Clinical trials and clinical trial sub-studies should be submitted to the Early-Phase Clinical Trials or Rapid Response programs; however other translational research using humans or human samples/data is in scope.
  • Be the development of a therapeutic and/or tool and/or select complementary approaches (Please refer to the Program Details for more information on complementary approaches that are in scope.

The project structure (i.e. the frequency and detail of the go/no go milestones) and the quality of the preliminary data should commensurate with the size of budget. For example: A project requesting $1,500,000 for 3 years should have strong preliminary data and multiple go/no-go milestones, whereas a project requesting $300,000 could have minimal preliminary data and less frequent milestones.

Please refer to What We Fund for Institute definitions of neurodegenerative diseases of aging, translational research, therapeutic/tool, and complementary approaches.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Mild cognitive impairment
  • Vascular contributions to the above
  • Prodromes to the above

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases:

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Multiple system atrophy
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy
  • Vascular contributions to the above
  • Prodromes to the above

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages:

  1. Letters of Intent (LOIs)
  2. Proposals

An application requires the submission of a Letter of Intent which will be reviewed by our scientific review committee. Applicants with high potential projects will then be invited to submit a Proposal. Instructions for submitting the Proposal will be sent to those invited.

Program Documents

Program Details

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases

Important dates

Please note: Some deadlines for the Rapid Response: Canada 2020 program have been extended.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases:Parkinson’s & Related Diseases:
Online applications open:February 5, 2020February 5, 2020
LOI deadline:
March 27, 2020 
April 24, 2020 at 2:00pm ET		April 30, 2020 
June 4, 2020 at 2:00pm ET
Proposal deadline:
August 5, 2020 
August 20, 2020 at 2:00pm ET		September 22, 2020 
October 13, 2020 at 2:00pm ET
Anticipated award notification:October 2020December 2020

Program Information Webinar

The Institute will hold a Program Information Webinar for each disease focus, to provide further details on the program and answer any questions. However, if you have questions specific to your project (e.g., project scope), we encourage you to contact us.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases: February 24, 2020 at 1:00pm ET
The webinar has passed.

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases: March 20, 2020 at 1:00pm ET
The webinar has passed.

POP 2020

This funding opportunity will provide research grants of up to $200,000 over a maximum of 24 months to support high-impact projects that seek to leverage the microbiome to improve health.

Please refer to the Program Details and Request for Applications (RFA) for more information and details on how to apply.

Program Overview

Goal: To provide funding to Canadian scientists performing high-risk, high-reward translational research that leverages the microbiome towards improving human health.

Funding: Up to $200,000 per project over up to 24 months. $2 million (approx. 10 projects) total.

Project Eligibility:

  • Establish an innovative line of translational or implementation research and provide proof-of-principle evidence in support of new health applications.
  • Work towards a recommendation, intervention or preventative strategy that improves health by leveraging the microbiome.
  • Focus on eligible research surrounding the application of lifestyle approaches in microbiome health.
  • Full definitions can be found in the Program Details document.

Application Process

  1. Confirm intent to apply by emailing geordie.stewart@westonfoundation.ca
  2. Submit a completed Letter of Intent (see template below)

Important dates

Information Webinar: January 7th, 9th, 2020 @ 1:00pm EST (register here)
LOI deadline: January 21st, 2020 @ 2:00pm EST
Proposal deadline: May 14th, 2020 @ 4:00 pm EDT
Anticipated award notification: June, 2020

Rapid Response: Canada 2020

Neurodegenerative diseases of aging are among the least understood and most undertreated diseases today. If ignored, the social and economic costs of managing these diseases will continue to rise. Meeting these challenges requires pioneering approaches to accelerating treatments.

The Rapid Response: Canada program was created to provide seed funding to catalyse novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research. Preliminary data is not required.

*The deadline for submitting applications to the Rapid Response: Canada 2020 program has now passed*

To see the results of the program and grantees awarded, please visit: Nearly $10 million in grants awarded to neuroscience researchers across Canada.

Continuing for 2020

  • The budget of the Rapid Response: Canada 2020 program has been increased to a maximum of $300,000 over up to 18 months.
  • Expanding the type of complementary approaches eligible for funding to other lifestyle interventions including but not limited to: speech therapy, cognitive therapy, music therapy, social interaction, if these applications meet our other scope criteria and have specific supportive evidence/justification (from published literature or unpublished data) to warrant further investigation.
  • Encouraging applications that bring in other fields such as: AI, big data, machine learning, data science, and computer science.

Program Overview

Goal: To provide seed funding for novel, high-risk, high-reward, translational research that will accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

Funding: A maximum of $300,000 over up to 18 months per project.

Applicant Eligibility: Eligible Principal Applicants must be working in Canada at least 30% of the time at or above the level of Postdoctoral researcher, and be affiliated with a Canada Revenue Agency-qualified donee institution located in Canada. Co-Applicants/Collaborators must be at the post-doctoral level or above and can be working outside Canada.

If the Principal Applicant is not appointed at the institution from which they are applying, they need to apply with a research supervisor (an “Administrative Supervisor”) who is at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent, with an appointment at the institution from which they are applying.

Applicants may appear in any role on any number of projects.

Project Eligibility:

  • Be translational research that helps accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging
  • Be the development of a therapeutic and/or tool, and/or select complementary approaches (Please refer to the Program Details for more information)
  • *Preliminary data is not required for this program

The Rapid Response program will have multiple calls per year, alternating between two different disease groups (outlined below). Applicants should apply to the group best suited to their project.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Mild cognitive impairment
  • Vascular contributions to the above
  • Prodromes to the above

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases:

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Multiple system atrophy
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy
  • Vascular contributions to the above
  • Prodromes to the above

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages:

  1. Letters of Intent (LOIs)
  2. Proposals

An application requires the submission of a Letter of Intent which will be reviewed by our scientific review committee. Applicants with high potential projects will then be invited to submit a Proposal. Instructions for submitting the Proposal will be sent to those invited.

Program Documents

Program Details

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases

Important dates

Please note: Some deadlines for the Rapid Response: Canada 2020 program have been extended.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases:Parkinson’s & Related Diseases:
Online applications open:February 5, 2020February 5, 2020
LOI deadline:
March 27, 2020 
April 24, 2020 at 2:00pm ET		April 30, 2020 
June 4, 2020 at 2:00pm ET
Proposal deadline:
August 5, 2020 
August 20, 2020 at 2:00pm ET		September 22, 2020 
October 13, 2020 at 2:00pm ET
Anticipated award notification:October 2020December 2020

Program Information Webinar

The Institute will hold a Program Information Webinar for each disease focus, to provide further details on the program and answer any questions. However, if you have questions specific to your project (e.g., project scope), we encourage you to contact us.

Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases: February 24, 2020 at 1:00pm ET
The webinar has passed.

Parkinson’s & Related Diseases: March 20, 2020 at 1:00pm ET
The webinar has passed.

Early Phase Clinical Trials: Canada

Neurodegenerative diseases of aging are among the least understood and most undertreated diseases today. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are placing a large and increasing burden on society. If ignored, the social and economic costs of managing these diseases will rise significantly within a generation. Meeting these challenges requires pioneering approaches to accelerating treatments.

The Early Phase Clinical Trials: Canada program was created to provide funding support for clinical trials and clinical trial sub-studies with excellent preliminary data.

*The deadline for submitting applications to the Early Phase Clinical Trials: Canada 2020 program has now passed*

To see the results of the program and grantees awarded, please visit: Nearly $10 million in grants awarded to neuroscience researchers across Canada.

Continuing for 2020

  • Applications focused on complementary approaches (e.g., diet, physical activity, sleep, speech therapy, cognitive therapy) are eligible for the Early Phase Clinical Trials program, if they meet our other program scope criteria and have specific supportive evidence/justification (from published literature or unpublished data) to warrant further investigation. Please refer to Institute definitions on complementary approaches for more details.
  • The Early Phase Clinical Trials: Canada program runs on a rolling basis. Applicants may submit an LOI at any time and will be notified of whether to prepare a full Proposal within ~2 months of LOI submission.
  • See our participant recruiting suggestions for ways of strengthening your recruiting plan in your proposal, and making recruiting faster and easier.

Program Overview

Please refer to the Program Details and Request for Applications (RFA) documents for more information (last updated: January 22, 2020).

Goal: To provide funding to support clinical trials and/or clinical trial sub-studies that could accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

Funding:  A maximum of $1,500,000 per project over up to 4 years. If you are requesting a budget between $1.5 to $2 million per project, please contact Cristina Tang (cristina.tang@westonbrain.org) prior to applying.

Applicant Eligibility: Principal Applicants must be a researcher working in Canada at least 30% of the time, hold a position at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent, and be affiliated with a Canada Revenue Agency-qualified donee institution located in Canada. Co-applicants and Collaborators must be at the post-doctoral level or above and can be working outside Canada. Applicants may appear in any role on any number of projects.

Project Eligibility: Eligible projects must meet these conditions to be eligible:

  • Be a clinical trial(s) and/or a clinical trial sub-study(s) that accelerates the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
    • Projects that require only up to $300,000 over up to 18 months may also be submitted to the Rapid Response program.
    • Translational research other than clinical trials and/or clinical trial sub-studies should be submitted to the Transformational Research program or the Rapid Response program.
  • Be the development of a therapeutic and/or tool, and/or complementary approaches.

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages:

  1. Letters of Intent (LOIs)
  2. Proposals

An application requires the submission of a Letter of Intent which will be reviewed by our scientific review committee. Applicants with high potential projects will then be invited to submit a Proposal. Instructions for submitting the Proposal will be forwarded to those invited.

Applicants can expect to receive the outcome of their LOI application within ~2 months of submission.

Apply now