Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Stratas

Stratas is a registered charity in Canada, operated entirely by volunteers. Its mission centers on advancing mental health research by granting funds and scholarships to early-career scholars. Stratas supports research into a range of mental health disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD. Through funding innovative projects, Stratas aims to deepen our understanding of these conditions and improve public health outcomes.

Mental health research is critically underfunded in Canada. Despite the rising rates of mental illness—affecting 1 in 5 Canadian youth—only 4% of public health research funding goes to mental health. This amounts to about $40 million from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). Most young Canadian researchers depend on this limited support, which restricts their ability to launch careers and make meaningful discoveries in the field. The result is a research crisis that leaves promising work unfunded and important questions unanswered.

Since its founding, Stratas has awarded $50,100 in scholarships to emerging mental health scholars. By nurturing early-career researchers, Stratas fills a critical funding gap, ensuring that the next generation of scientists can continue to explore and understand mental illnesses. These efforts help develop the evidence-based treatments, medications, and therapies that Canadians need.

Stratas believes that scientific research is the foundation of effective public health. With more support and greater awareness, we can ensure a future where mental health research flourishes and every Canadian has access to the best possible mental health care. To all researchers working in this field—Stratas invites you to apply for funding and be part of the change.