Canada’s federal research agency will give researchers $3 million to look into the benefits of using psilocybin to treat mental health illnesses.
Last week, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) launched a grant application to fund psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research for three specific mental health illnesses.
The research will support Phase 1 or 2 randomized clinical trials relevant to psilocybin use to treat substance use dependence or disorders, major depressive disorder and end-of-life psychological distress in patients with advanced-stage cancer.
The purpose is to strengthen the evidence base and expand research through new clinical trials.
Funding will be provided by the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS), under the leadership of Health Canada and in partnership with the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA).
“The current funding opportunity will expand the evidence base around psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to inform practical policies and regulations that aim to improve the health of Canadians and people living in Canada who are experiencing psychiatric disorders,” reads the funding announcement.
Read more: Numinus to enter US psychedelics market via $26.2M Novamind acquisition
Read more: Vancouver Island University to launch Canada’s first psychedelic-assisted therapy graduate program
The total fund of $3 million will be split into three grants, where the maximum amount per grant is $500,000 per year for up to two years for a total of $1 million per grant studying a mental disorder each.
“It is strongly encouraged that people with lived and/or living experience are included in the research team to participate in study design, implementation, knowledge mobilization and/or other aspects of the research process, where appropriate,” reads the funding description.
The registration deadline will run until September 6 and the application deadline ends on October 4. Funding will start at the beginning of March 2023.
The CIHR will host webinars to support applicants with the requirements of this funding and answer questions, with the first one starting on June 9.
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