The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) has announced that Oliver Ernst, CERC in Structural Neurobiology at the University of Toronto, and Adrian Owen, CERC in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at Western University, have been approved for the final stage of its Global Call for Ideas.
CIFAR launched the Global Call for Ideas in April 2013, inviting the global research community to submit proposals for ideas for long-term collaborative research into complex, fundamental questions of importance to Canada and the world. In the first phase, more than 260 letters of intent (LOIs) were submitted by researchers from all over the world. From these LOIs, seven finalists were selected.
Now, CIFAR has approved four program proposals, including those from Ernst and Owen, to move into a six- to 18-month start-up phase, with an anticipated launch in 2015.
Ernst is part of a team of four working on a project that will explore how the molecules responsible for biological processes are formed and interact, which will lead to a deeper understanding of the minimum structural elements required to support life.
Owen will work with colleague Melvyn Goodale, Canada Research Chair in Visual Neuroscience at Western University, to develop a network of neuroscientists, philosophers, ethicists and clinicians to focus on creating a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of human consciousness.
More information about the Global Call for Ideas can be found on the CIFAR website.