Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), in partnership with Brain Canada, is proud to announce five new Innovation and Implementation projects aimed at improving the lives of children and youth with neurodisabilities (NDs) and their families across Canada.

These Innovation and Implementation projects were selected through KBHN’s 2025 Call for Proposals, a funding opportunity designed to advance implementation-ready or commercially sustainable initiatives and support the scale and spread of solutions to drive real-world impact for children, youth, and families. Following a competitive national review process, KBHN’s Programs Advisory Committee identified projects that demonstrate exceptional promise in addressing critical challenges faced by children and youth with NDs.

Each funded project will grow and develop in collaboration with families and youth, ensuring solutions are grounded in lived experience and designed for meaningful, sustainable impact.

KBHN’s Call for Proposals program includes two funding categories: 

  • Innovation program ($100,000 for two years) advances implementation or commercialization-ready projects that improve outcomes of children and youth with NDs and their families across Canada.
  • Implementation program ($200,000 for two years) advances large-scale projects that translate scientific innovation into real-world settings.

Congratulations to the five awardees: 

 Implementation Projects

Bootle Blast Loan and Supported Training program – OFFering equitable access to gaming technology for motor rehabilitation (BLAST-OFF)

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Elaine Biddiss

 

Implementing BRIGHT Coaching within Canada: Exploring Sustainable Models for Waitlist Support

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Tatiana Ogourtsova

 

Innovation Projects

From Play to Paralympics: Brain Computer Interface-enabled Boccia

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Adam Kirton

 

Co-creating a social prescribing model for pediatric rehabilitation contexts in Canada

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Michelle Phoenix

 

PIONEER: Power Training Implementation for Optimizing National Engagement in Evidence-based Rehabilitation

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Lesley Pritchard

 

KBHN’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, emphasized the significance of these new Innovation and Implementation projects.

“The newest cohort of Innovation and Implementation projects highlights bold ideas that are ready to move from innovation to real-world impact,” says Dr. Zwicker. “By accelerating the adoption and scaling of evidence-based solutions, these initiatives will expand access to effective supports and services for children and youth with neurodisabilities and their families. We are proud to partner with Brain Canada to help bring these solutions to communities across Canada.”

What’s Next

Successful projects will receive support to accelerate implementation, expand reach, and strengthen sustainability — directly advancing KBHN’s mandate to make a difference in the lives of children and youth with neurodisabilities and their families.

The Innovation and Implementation program is made possible by KBHN and the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and Brain Canada. 

Learn more about KBHN’s 2025 Implementation and Innovation program.