2001/05 — 3rd CFI grant application¶
The research department of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie submitted an application to the CFI competition. This application, entitled “Regroupement Neuroimagerie/Québec (RNQ) – Modeling, fusion and application of functional neuroimaging to neuroscience in older adults, in children, and in animals,” concerned the creation of a cutting-edge technological platform for brain imaging research.
2002/02 — $9.5M awarded¶
The Research Centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie received confirmation of funding totaling $9.5M. The grant was distributed as follows: $3.8M from the CFI, $3.8M from the Government of Quebec, and $1.9M from partners (industrial partners, the IUGM Foundation, and other partner groups and centres). This grant also came with an operating budget (IOF) totaling $1.14M over a 4-year period.
2003/10 — Start of construction¶
On October 15, 2003, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the future site of the Functional Neuroimaging Unit.
2004/08 — End of construction¶
In less than a year, construction work and the installation of the imaging infrastructure were completed.
2004/09 — Inauguration¶
On September 9, 2004, in the presence of government and university dignitaries, scientists, and project partners, the official inauguration of the Functional Neuroimaging Unit took place. Prof. Julien Doyon became its first scientific director.
2006/10 — CFI Leaders application¶
Submission of an application to the CFI – Leaders competition entitled “Recent technological contributions of MRI to the study of brain plasticity in the adult and aging brain.” Obtaining this grant would allow for a significant technological upgrade of the UNF’s magnetic resonance scanner.
2007/03 — $1.25M awarded for the TRIO TIM 3.0T¶
The CFI – Leaders application was approved. The CRIUGM received funding totaling $1.25M distributed as follows: $380,276 from the CFI, $380,276 from the Government of Quebec, $190,138 from an industrial partner, and $305,000 from the Caroline Durand Foundation and the IUGM Foundation.
2007/12 — Installation of the TRIO TIM 3.0T¶
Start of work to set up the new TIM (Total Imaging Matrix) technological platform at the UNF by Siemens.
2008/01 — New scanner fully operational¶
On January 7, 2008, the new Siemens TRIO TIM 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner became fully operational.
2008/03 — Inauguration of the TRIO TIM 3.0T¶
On March 26, 2008, government and university dignitaries as well as project partner representatives gathered once again to inaugurate the UNF’s new imaging scanner.
2016 — Prisma upgrade¶
As part of a CFI Leaders grant awarded to Laurent Mottron and Julien Doyon, totaling $2,953,353, the UNF acquired a Siemens Prisma Fit 3.0T scanner — the first of this model in Canada.
2017/09 — New scientific direction¶
Prof. Lune Bellec became the new scientific director of the UNF.
2018/04 — Courtois donation and launch of the NeuroMod project¶
A major donation of $6.3M from the Courtois Foundation to Prof. Lune Bellec enabled the launch of the Courtois NeuroMod project, the largest MRI study of brain activity at the individual level. The study has led to the development of numerous cutting-edge MRI-compatible equipment (physiological signals, eye tracking, video game controller).
2024/09 — Launch of the Neurothèque¶
Launch of the Neurothèque, co-directed by Prof. Karim Jerbi, providing EEG equipment to UNF users.
2025/04 — New scientific direction¶
Prof. Julien Cohen-Adad became the new scientific director of the UNF.