The goal of the MAPS Canada Research Grant is to provide low-barrier support for Canadian psychedelic research including clinical trials, nonclinical research, and knowledge translation activities.
MAPS Canada’s 2025 Research Grant Recipients
For our inaugural MAPS Canada Research Grant funding round, we prioritized two Canadian-led clinical trials where our financial support will go directly towards helping eligible participants get access to psychedelic assisted therapy in a safe and legal setting. Both recipients have clinical trial protocols that have been reviewed and approved by a Research Ethics Board and Health Canada, and are overseen by qualified investigators with no financial ties to the psychedelic substance being studied.
EMPOWER Psychedelics
Granted: Q2 2025
Study title: Assessing the feasibility of a psychedelic-assisted group program for depression in first responders
Use of funds: With a grant of $20,000, MAPS Canada supported the initiation of the clinical trial, and enrolment of 2 cohorts of 6-8 first responders.
REMEDY Institute
Granted: Q2 2025
Study title: A Randomized Trial of MDMA-Assisted Cognitive-Behavioural Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) versus CBCT in Dyads in Which One Member has Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Use of funds: With a grant of $10,000, MAPS Canada supported the enrolment of 2 diads of participants.
The MAPS Canada Research Grant is made possible by donors like you. Click here to help support Canadian psychedelic research. Thank you!
About the MAPS Canada Research Grant
The MAPS Canada Research Grant was created to offer low-barrier support to curious and committed individuals working in the “real world.” While most clinical research in Canada takes place within institutions such as universities or health authorities—and is typically backed by federal agencies like CIHR or private industry sponsors—there remains a gap in support for those outside these traditional structures.
Institutional research plays a critical role in advancing psychedelic science. These large-scale efforts have helped Canada emerge as a global leader in clinical research and have contributed to some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in mental health and medicine.
At the same time, many important research questions arise from the lived experience of frontline professionals—therapists, first responders, harm reduction workers, and others—who often lack access to the resources, funding, or formal training needed to conduct research on their own. The MAPS Canada Research Grant aims to bridge this gap.
This program provides financial assistance to help frontline professionals explore meaningful questions related to psychedelic medicine. In addition, grantees have the opportunity to leverage skilled volunteer support.
The application process is intentionally simple and accessible. You don’t need to be a career academic with hundreds of publications to apply. What matters most is a well-defined research idea that aligns with our mission.
Who is eligible?
- Research must take place in Canada and/or be led by a Canadian researcher
- Research purpose must be aligned with MAPS Canada’s mission to expand safe,legal and equitable access to psychedelics in Canada
- Research project scope and planned use of funds must be clearly defined
How to apply?
Details on how to apply for future research grants are coming soon.