2025 Award Recipients
Madison Garibotti, M.Sc., PhD Candidate
Institution: York University
Research Focus: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Host Institution: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Project Title: An evaluation of cardiolipin oxidation using a mitochondrial targeting antioxidant in dystrophin-deficient D2.mdx mouse model
Marion Boyer, PhD Candidate
Institution: CERVO
Research Focus: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Host Institution: Montreal Neurological Institute
Project Title: Unraveling the role of PPIA/EMMPRIN/MMP-9 at the neuromuscular junction in ALS
Dr. Emilie Groulx-Boivin, M.Sc. Candidate
Institution: Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University
Research Focus: Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Host Institution: Alberta Children’s Hospital
Project Title: Empowering Participation in Neuromuscular Disorders: Expanding Pediatric Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Access to Quebec
Dr. Jeremy Slayter, M.Sc. Candidate
Institution: Dalhousie University
Research Focus: Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Host Institution:
University of Calgary – Canadian Neuromuscular Diseases Registry
Project Title: Optimizing Clinical Outcome Measure Use and Impact for Individuals with SMA and ALS
The NMD4C is launching the NMD4C Collaborative Research Training Awards provide financial assistance to trainees who wish to visit another laboratory within Canada to gain hands-on experience, learn new techniques, and further develop their expertise in neuromuscular disease-focused research. The award is intended to enhance trainees' research projects through collaborations.
Program Aims
Support knowledge acquisition, professional development and transfer of expertise between NMD4C researchers.
Promote networking for NMD4C trainees.
Support neuromuscular disease research and encourage collaborations between NMD4C researchers.
Value of the Collaborative Research Training Awards
The NMD4C Collaborative Research Training Award provides up to $2000 to help support travel and accommodation expenses for visiting a laboratory for a maximum period of two weeks.
Allowable Expenses
Transportation: Airfare, train, taxi/Uber, car rental, and gas mileage.
Accommodation: Lodging costs.
Food: $50 per diem
Eligibility Criteria
The award is open to M.Sc. and Ph.D. students as well as post-doctoral fellows or other trainees*, working on neuromuscular disease at a Canadian institution.
The applicant, and host laboratory supervisor(s) must be members of NMD4C.
The training must be directly related to neuromuscular disease-focused research.
The applicant must not have received a NMD4C Collaborative Research Training Award in the previous two years.
A trainee can only submit one proposal per travel award.
*Participation of other trainees (i.e. research professional, technician, etc.) will be considered based on placement availability; graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be given preference.
Selection Criteria
Potential to strengthen collaboration between NMD4C researchers.
Quality of application.
Impact on applicant, current supervisor(s), and collaborator/host supervisor.
Host supervisor’s trainee/mentorship plan.
Open science principles.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity.
Award Conditions
NMD4C must be acknowledged in any publication or presentations including data generated from this award.
Funding must be used within 6 months of its approval by NMD4C.
Awardees must provide a written final report summarizing the project outcomes gained through this award.
How to Submit an Application
Submission Process
Applications will be submitted through the NMD4C web form.
All supporting documents must be sent in PDF format.
Upon final decision by the NMD4C, successful candidates and their supervisors will be notified by email.
A Completed Application Includes:
Application form - NMD4C Collaborative Research Training Award
CV (Curriculum Vitae)
Letter of support from current supervisor. This letter should address how this exchange will directly contribute to the applicant’s research project and how this exchange will strengthen collaboration between NMD4C researchers across Canada. (1-2 pages)
Letter of support from the host supervisor explaining the resources available to support the applicant during the training period. Details should be provided on who the mentors and experts are that the candidate will be learning from, and on what specialized techniques and advanced equipment that the applicant will be trained to use. (1-2 pages)
Competition Timeline
Applications are due on June 15th of each academic year. A call for applications will be made in the period leading up to the submission deadline.