More About Biomedical Research Project Grants

This scheme provides awards to fund biomedical research of the highest scientific merit and greatest clinical or translational relevance to MND.

Duration: Grants will be offered for up to three years duration. Applications for less than three years should include a named researcher with the relevant expertise, familiar with the laboratory.

Finances: Applications should not exceed £85,000 per annum (and £255,000 in total over 3 years) without the prior agreement of the Association. Funding is available for salaries & laboratory consumables. Costs for equipment and travel expenses will be considered where they are necessary as an integral part of the project. These should be requested at the time of the application.

Conditions for overseas applicants: Applicants can be based outside the UK and Ireland, provided the project meets the following criteria: the project must be unique in concept or design (i.e no similar research is being performed in the UK) and ii) the project must involve an aspect of collaboration with a UK institute or iii) the project must include training opportunities for a UK-based researcher.

Assessment: Applications for project grants will be judged on the key criteria of:-

  • its relevance to 'classical' MND. On receipt of summaries, a decision will be made on their relevance to classical ALS. If they are not sufficiently relevant then they will not be considered by the summary review process.
  • scientific merit
  • novelty
  • the potential clinical and or translational relevance of the research
  • how the study fits in with other work in the laboratory / institution.
  • Characteristics and abilities of applicants

Timing: Provisional start dates for funding should be requested on the application.

Where can I find out more?

The statements given above are a brief summary of the Terms and Conditions of MND Association Biomedical Research project grants. Before submitting a summary application, it is important that you contact Marion Reichle or Natasha Rowe for further information.


How to apply

Applicants are invited to submit an initial 2-3 page summary, outlining the project aims and methods. It is in their interests to request further information and read the MND Association Research Strategy (91 kb) [pdf]and the Research Governance Overview (209 kb) [pdf]

The next round of biomedical project grant applications will be considered in October 2010.  Date to be confirmed.