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Background

The Amazing Brain Science Talks is an annual event that aims to share information with the public on key findings from research and lived experience in brain health. This program encourages researchers to don their scientific communication hats and share findings with the public from the exciting, innovative and important brain research being conducted across Canada. The event is hosted by Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives(±áµþ±á³¢),Ìý and the (BHI).

The Amazing Brain Science Talks is a unique opportunity to refine your science communication skills by delivering a 12-minute TED-style talk to a public audience onstage at a prominent venue in downtown Montreal. Professional video footage of your talk will be posted on YouTube. The have been viewed more than 33,000 times.

Timeline

Program Objectives 

• Provide the public with evidence-based, empowering information about brain health; and
• Assist researchers to develop their science communication skills.

Relevant Topics 

Specific topics are open to the applicant’s discretion but must:

• Be related to their own brain-health research or lived experience;
• Fit within one or more of the three themes described below (i.e., the Amazing Brain; Tips and tricks for a healthy brain; and the brain-heart connection); and
• Be of interest to the general public.

Event Details and Time Commitments  

The Amazing Brain Science Talks will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal (475 De Maisonneuve Boulevard East, Montreal, Quebec). There will be a mandatory rehearsal onsite on Friday, November 14, 2025. There will also be two virtual training sessions of one hour each before the main event (dates will be arranged according to the participants’ availability). All applicants must agree to attend the main event and the rehearsal in Montreal, as well as the two virtual guidance and feedback sessions, as a condition of being considered as a speaker. 

Talk Details

Talks will be a maximum of 12 minutes and may be given in English or French. Visual aids (such as slides) are permitted but not required.

The Amazing Brain Science Talks cover three broad topic areas:

(i) The Amazing Brain: Topics that showcase the brain's incredible capacity for top performance in a range of activities (e.g., music and the brain, top-speed decision-making in sports, the powers of brain plasticity.)

ii) Tips and tricks for a healthy brain: Topics that provide recommendations on how to engage the brain strategically to improve health and wellness. Recommendations should provide useful advice for the public (e.g., lifestyle changes that can improve or safeguard brain health, improve mental health, safeguard child brain health over the life course.)

iii) The brain-heart connection: Topics that showcase the interconnectedness of the brain and the heart and their role in health and well-being (e.g., implications of sleep on the heart and brain, music and movement for improved brain and heart health, the brain as an indicator of heart conditions).

Please note: The event will be recorded (audio and video) and made publicly available online after the event.

Additional Information

The presentation (and completed application form) should be in plain (non-scientific) language and on a topic related to the applicant’s expertise based on their research or lived experience.

The content of the talk, while remaining within the expertise of the applicant, is not restricted to the applicant’s own research and can draw upon findings in the field with the emphasis being on what is of most interest to a public audience. The focus should be on findings, outcomes and big picture impact and not on the research approach or methods.

The talk should make obvious what is unique and exciting about the findings, what makes this information interesting, why the public should be paying attention, how these findings affect real people and what kind of lasting impact they may have on the lives of people in Canada and beyond. Tell us why we should care and how you can empower us with your information.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Evidence shows that increasing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research environments enhances excellence, innovation and creativity. HBHL is committed to excellence through equity and encourages applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply to our funding opportunities, which will promote the expression of diverse perspectives, approaches and experiences, including those of underrepresented groups.

All applicants must complete the HBHL equity self-identification form at the time of submission.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to:

• 51³Ô¹ÏÍøaffiliated Principal Investigators in brain health research; or
• Brain Canada-funded researchers; or
• Core Academic Members of the BHI (travel costs to be covered by BHI); or 
• Principal Investigators in brain health research at one of HBHL’s CFREF partner institutions (i.e., Western University, Université de Montréal, University of British Columbia or Polytechnique Montréal) if they can cover their own travel costs. 

This opportunity is not open to:

• Students, trainees, postdocs, research assistants. 

Submission Instructions 

to apply to be a speaker at the Amazing Brain Science Talks by June 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

This application process includes two stages: 1) Application Form and 2) Video Submission. 

Following an administrative review by HBHL, Brain Canada and the BHI, the top-ranked applications will be invited to proceed to the Video Submission stage. These applicants will submit a 3-minute video that is an abbreviated version of what is planned for the full presentation, touching on all key points. Note that this does not have to be a formal polished video. After this stage, successful applicants who are selected to be speakers will receive coaching and presentation tips to produce a more polished full talk for the in-person event. 

Review Process

All applications will be reviewed internally by a panel consisting of representatives from HBHL, Brain Canada and the BHI based on the following criteria: