Five innovative research projects funded through the annual University Medical Research Fund (UMRF) grant competition will advance care for individuals living with bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and those receiving forensic mental health services.
These studies will evaluate novel treatments, improve access to care, and generate new evidence to support better outcomes for people living with mental illness.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients
The UMRF grant competition is made possible by contributions from the members of The Royal’s Associates in Psychiatry, and was established to foster novel, multi-and inter-disciplinary research at The Royal, which closely integrates research and care, with the goal to improve care, access, quality, and safety.
Thanks to UMRF funding, the teams behind these forward-thinking research projects at The Royal will be supported as they embark on cutting-edge studies to improve care, and help people with mental illness and addiction reclaim their lives.
“The UMRF grant competition shows what becomes possible when diverse expertise, ideas and perspectives come together around a shared purpose: transforming mental health care,” says Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, President and CEO of The Royal’s Research Institute. “By giving talented teams the opportunity to test bold new approaches, this competition helps turn promising ideas into discoveries that can lead to better care, renewed hope and improved outcomes for people living with mental illness and addiction. We are deeply grateful to the Associates in Psychiatry for the vision and generosity that make this important program possible.”
Meet the 2026 UMRF Recipients:
Research team
Accelerated Theta-Burst Stimulation for Bipolar Depression - A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (Funded $100,000; 2 years).
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that affects approximately 1–2% of Canadians. While many people associate bipolar disorder with episodes of mania, individuals typically spend much more time experiencing depression, which is often the most disabling aspect of the illness. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses applied to the scalp to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. rTMS is now an established treatment for major depression and is routinely offered at The Royal. A newer form of stimulation, called theta-burst stimulation (TBS), can be delivered much more quickly while producing similar or potentially greater benefits.
This study will evaluate whether an accelerated form of TBS is a feasible, safe, and promising treatment for individuals experiencing bipolar depression. The study will compare two approaches: stimulation on one side of the brain (unilateral) and stimulation on both sides of the brain (bilateral), generating important information needed to design a future large-scale clinical trial.
Research team
Implementing Group-Based Cognitive Remediation in Virtual Reality for Psychosis (Funded $100,000; 2 years).
Difficulties with memory, attention, problem-solving, and understanding social situations are a core feature of psychotic disorders, affecting up to 80% of individuals. These challenges often have a major impact on daily life, including the ability to work, study, maintain relationships, and live independently. Cognitive remediation, a therapy designed to improve cognitive skills, is one of the few interventions shown to improve cognitive functioning in people with psychosis.
ThinkTactic VR is a virtual reality (VR) cognitive remediation program designed to help address these challenges. Using immersive VR environments, participants practice cognitive skills while completing everyday activities, such as navigating a city, organizing tasks at home, or interacting socially. Because the program is currently delivered one-on-one, access is limited. This study aims to evaluate whether VR-based cognitive remediation can successfully be delivered in small groups, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to care. The research team will use participant outcomes and feedback to assess whether this approach is feasible, effective, and acceptable for people living with psychosis.
Research team
Factors Predicting Discharge from a Forensic Hospital: Examining Alignment with Clinical and Risk Relevant Variables (Funded $99,494; 2 years).
People receiving care in forensic mental health hospitals may spend months or years preparing for a safe return to the community. Discharging someone too soon may increase the risk of poor outcomes, while keeping someone in hospital longer than necessary can affect recovery and independence. However, little is known about which factors most strongly influence discharge decisions and whether those decisions align with evidence-based approaches to risk assessment and rehabilitation.
This study will examine discharge practices within The Royal's Integrated Forensic Program using the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model, an evidence-based framework used to guide rehabilitation and assess risk and treatment needs. By analyzing patient records and gathering perspectives from staff and former patients, the research aims to support more consistent, evidence-based discharge decisions that promote both recovery and public safety.
Research team
Combining Aerobic Exercise and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Antidepressant Response in Transitional-Aged Youth with Depression (Funded $100,000; 2 years).
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and is becoming increasingly common among adolescents and young adults. Aerobic exercise is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for depression and may also strengthen neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and change. However, not everyone responds equally well to exercise. One promising strategy is to combine exercise with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and painless technique that delivers a very weak electrical current through electrodes placed on the scalp. Researchers believe that combining these approaches may enhance treatment response and improve outcomes.
This study seeks to determine whether combining aerobic exercise with tDCS is feasible, acceptable, and safe for transition-aged youth with depression. By evaluating the feasibility and potential effectiveness of this combined approach, the research aims to generate evidence for accessible, non-pharmacological treatment strategies that could improve recovery and quality of life for young people experiencing depression.
Research team
The Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Physiologic Stress Response in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Funded $99,984; 2 years).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and is often associated with persistent symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and heightened stress responses. In the past decade, Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) — a well-established, safe, and minimally invasive medical procedure traditionally used for pain conditions — has emerged as a promising treatment for PTSD. SGB involves injection of a local numbing agent around the stellate ganglion, a nerve bundle located at the base of the neck that regulates the body’s “fight-flight-or-freeze” responses.
This study builds on the research team's existing clinical work with SGB to better understand how the treatment affects the body's physiological response to stress in individuals living with PTSD. Findings will help clarify how SGB works, identify who may benefit most, and support the development of more effective and personalized treatment approaches for PTSD.
About The Royal
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental illness and addiction treatment, research, and education hospitals, dedicated to supporting individuals aged 16 and older who are living with complex mental illness and addiction. Since opening in 1910, The Royal has grown into a trusted resource for people across eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut.
With campuses in Ottawa and Brockville, and clinical teams working directly in homes and communities, The Royal delivers compassionate, evidence-informed care grounded in cutting-edge research, including through its partnership with the University of Ottawa and other academic and community partners. Its integrated model brings together care, research, education and strategic partnerships to help build a future of recovery.
At The Royal, we separate the person from the illness, helping more people reclaim their lives.
