Our research partnerships

The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon collaborates with provincial and national researchers by partnering with Health Research BC and contributing to the national Alzheimer Society Research Program.

2024-25 ASRP and MSHRBC researchers at the Vancouver Research Luncheon

The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon works to change the future for people affected by dementia by supporting research focused on prevention, diagnosis, care and support. We leverage partnerships to expand our impact in terms of research – as a funder, collaborator or knowledge mobilizer. As knowledge mobilizers, we seek to share research in ways that are meaningful for people affected by dementia, policy makers and practitioners.

Partnership with Health Research BC (HRBC)

We recognize the importance of supporting researchers, especially those in the early stages of their careers. Each year, we partner with HRBC to co-fund successful applications from individual and team funding competitions.

Learn more about our funding partnership and the latest recipients here.

The Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP)

The ASRP is a collaborative initiative between the provincial Alzheimer Societies, the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC), partners and our donors. Since 1989, the ASRP has funded over $87 million in grants and awards nationally to encourage researchers to explore new ways of advancing knowledge on dementia. To date, 109 projects in British Columbia have received funding.

Learn more about the current ASRP recipients from BC here.

Please note, as of September 2026 the call for new applications to the ASRP has been temporarily paused as ASC is launching a strategic review of the program. The review will include a consultation process and is designed to ensure the ASRP will continue to meet the needs of the communities it serves for decades to come. Existing funding commitments, including $4.1M in new ASRP funding announced in 2026, along with previous years’ funding commitments, will continue.

For more information, visit ASC's Information for researchers page.

How does this impact research in BC and Yukon?

  • The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon continues to seek to change the future for people affected by dementia by championing dementia-inclusive research, investing in innovative research, acting as a knowledge source and fostering relationships with researchers and the community. We will continue to contribute funds to the ASRP to support the 10 researchers currently receiving funding.
  • We recognize the pause in funding will have a significant impact on emerging scholars. We continue to work with our provincial partners, including Health Research BC, UBC, UVic, SFU and UNBC, to explore ways to build research capacity and support the next generation of dementia researchers here in BC. To learn more about how we support local research or how to apply for funding, visit alzbc.org/research or reach out to [email protected].

Investing in research

The Ralph Fisher and Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon Professorship in Alzheimer Disease Research

Established in 2007 through donations from the Ralph Fisher Foundation, Larkspur Foundation, the University of British Columbia and the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon, the professorship is a leadership position intended to advance research and clinical care and to promote the importance of research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The current recipient is Dr. Robin Hsiung, Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurology in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and staff neurologist at the UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders.

Funding from the professorship has enabled Dr. Hsiung to:

  • Examine the factors that cause dementia.
  • Explore new techniques to help identify the different types of dementia.
  • Develop tests to detect biomarkers in blood and spinal fluid.
  • Provide leadership on clinical trials that investigate cutting-edge therapies for dementia at various stages.

This position was previously held by Dr. Howard Feldman who has contributed to a number of world-class discoveries, organized productive collaborations and provided leadership to the field internationally at the highest levels.