The MND Association funds biomedical project grants of up to three years for research into motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and related conditions. The scheme supports work that helps explain what causes MND, pins down the disease mechanisms, and moves promising treatments from the laboratory towards the clinic.
The current round is open for summary applications until 23 October 2026. Projects can come from any relevant discipline, but the bar is high: the Association only funds research of the highest scientific quality with clear relevance to MND. For a feel for the charity’s priorities, read its research strategy (linked below) alongside our piece on how the MND Association is fighting MND.
Who can apply
The scheme is aimed at researchers based in the UK and Ireland. Applicants based elsewhere can apply, but only if the project is unique in concept or design (meaning no similar research is being done in the UK) and involves a significant collaboration with a UK institute.
Duration and start dates
Grants run for up to three years. If you apply for less than two years, your application should name a researcher who has the right expertise and already knows the lab, as a shorter grant leaves little time to recruit someone new. The earliest possible start date is August 2027, and most grants start later than that once set-up and recruitment are done.
How the process works
This is a two-stage scheme. You start with a summary application through the MND Association’s online form. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to submit a full application, which goes out to external peer review and to the Association’s Biomedical Research Advisory Panel. The highest-scoring applications are recommended to the Board of Trustees, who make the final decision. Papers arising from funded work must be published open access.
Budget limits and assessment criteria are not set out on the call page, so check the guidelines before you start costing anything. Before applying, read:
- Project Grant Guidelines
- Terms and Conditions
- Guide to Completing the Online Summary Application Form
- MND Association Research Strategy
- Research Governance Overview
The summary is the lighter lift of the two stages, but it decides whether you get a shot at the full application, so give it proper attention. Our podcast on grant writing tips from awardees and reviewers is worth a listen before you start.
How to apply
Complete the online summary application form by 23 October 2026. Questions can go to the Research Grants team at research.grants@mndassociation.org or on 01604 611873.
Read the full guidance and apply
Is it right for dementia researchers?
It can be, if your work sits where MND and frontotemporal dementia meet. The two conditions share genetics and pathology, most notably C9orf72 repeat expansions and TDP-43 aggregation, and up to half of people with MND experience some change in thinking or behaviour. That makes this a realistic route for researchers working on shared mechanisms. The catch is that the project has to stand up as MND research in its own right; a dementia study with MND bolted on will not get through. If you are new to the field, our podcast playlist on understanding and researching MND is a good place to start.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.mndassociation.org/research/for-researchers/apply-for-funding)
