Motor Neurone Disease Association Research Grants Open for Application

The MND Association supports biomedical and healthcare-related research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and related conditions, in all relevant disciplines, to further understanding of the causes and disease mechanisms of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and facilitate the translation of therapeutic strategies from the laboratory to the clinic.

The Association provides funding through several project grant programmes, research fellowships and PhD studentships to support research aligned with the strategic themes of its Research Strategy (2018-2021):

  • Identify therapeutic targets
  • Understand clinical progression
  • Develop a treatment pipeline
  • Improve standards of care

Outline applications are currently invited for the 2021 application round for the Prize PhD Studentships, Non-Clinical Research Fellowships and Healthcare Research Project Grants.

Prize PhD Studentships (Biomedical and Healthcare)

The Prize PhD Studentships provide funding over three years for stipend, laboratory costs and tuition fees for postgraduate students in the UK and Ireland undertaking a full-time PhD, or equivalent, based on research of direct relevance to MND. Both biomedical and healthcare topics are eligible.

Funding includes:

  • A student stipend of £17,000 (£18,000 in London) per annum which will be increased in £500 increments in each subsequent year.
  • £26,000 for laboratory expenses (£8,500 in years one and two and £9,000 in year three).
  • A total budget of £1,000 over the three years for conference attendance.
  • Tuition/bench fees at UK student rates.

Applications are invited from prospective supervisors in the UK and Ireland with demonstrable experience of managing PhD students. The PhD must be hosted at a bona fide research institution. Collaborative projects between departments are welcomed.

Supervisors must recruit and nominate the student of their choice, subject to the approval by MND Association. Students should hold, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours degree.

Non-Clinical Research Fellowships

The Non-Clinical Research Fellowships provide support for early- and mid-career postdoctoral scientists, with relevant experience and demonstrated expertise and ability, who are ready to lead a research project as Principal Investigator. Projects should address a single question or a small group of related questions in MND research. For the 2021 application round, the maximum grants and project duration have been decreased due to funding pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are two levels of award:

  • Junior Non-Clinical Fellowship: for researchers with between two and six years postdoctoral experience. Exceptional candidates in the final year of a PhD may also be considered. The Junior Non-Clinical Fellowships usually provide £90,000 per annum for between two and three years, however this has been limited for the 2021 application round to £75,000 per annum for a maximum of two years.
  • Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship: for researchers within between four and ten years of postdoctoral experience. The Senior Non-Clinical Fellowships usually provide £110,000 per annum for between three and four years, however this has been limited for the 2021 application round to £90,000 per annum for a maximum of three years.

Applicants must be based at a university or other bona-fide research institute in the UK or Ireland for the duration of the fellowship. Applicants may be based elsewhere at the time of application, including overseas. There is no restriction on nationality, however applicants will be responsible for arranging a visa to work in the UK/Ireland, if required.

Healthcare Research Project Grants

The Healthcare Research Project Grants provide funding over a maximum of three years to support research into healthcare-related aspects of ALS and related conditions. Projects should aim to answer a single question or a small group of related questions aimed at increasing treatment options and improving clinical/healthcare practice and disease management to support not only people living with MND but also caregivers and families

Research must be based at a university, hospital or other established research institution/organisation in the UK and Ireland or overseas. Applications for projects under two years should ideally include a named researcher with the relevant expertise, familiarity with the institute and the methodologies to be used.

The maximum grant is £70,000 per year, or a total of £210,000 over three years.

Project assessment for all MND Association research grants will take into account relevance to classical MND (ie Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA), Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) or Kennedy’s disease (SBMA)). Other motor neuron conditions will only be considered if a direct benefit to MND research can be demonstrated.

There is a two stage application process: a summary application followed by a full proposal for selected applicants.

Summary applications for the 2021 application round should be submitted by 30 April 2021.

 

 

Research Grants in Polymorbidity and Related Conditions in Internal Medicine

The Foundation for the Development of Internal Medicine in Europe (FDIME) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting biomedical, clinical, behavioural, nutritional and epidemiologic research to expand knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases in related internal medicine. The organisation also seeks to promote the education and continuing professional development of health professionals working in internal medicine at all stages of their careers.

The FDIME Research Grants support young practitioners of internal medicine (internists) conducting research in all fields of internal medicine, particularly polymorbidity and other common conditions in internal medicine, at a host institution in Europe. The grants offer funding of up to €17,500 over one year to support living and travel costs (rather than the costs of research itself) during the period of research.

Applicants should:

  • Be a young internist under the age of 38 (as defined by the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM)).
  • Have been a member of one of the national societies of internal medicine affiliated to EFIM for not less than one year at the time of application.
  • Submit a project proposal relevant to the topic of polymorbidity and other common conditions in Internal Medicine (projects can cover translational medicine, basic or clinical research).
  • Be able to provide a letter from the Chief of Laboratory or Department of Medicine at the proposed host institution, certifying that the project will be carried out in their laboratory/clinical department.

Applicants are responsible for developing their research proposals and identifying the host institution where the research will be undertaken. A research study collaborating with, or directly involving, a French research team is encouraged and will be considered positively.

It is expected that the applicant will be occupied full time with his/her specified research study and not receiving any salary.

Application forms and guidelines are available from the FDIME website.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date of 15 June 2021.