The My Name’s Doddie Foundation is on a mission to find and fund the smartest, most efficient research to expedite the development of treatments for MND.
- Through our Discovery Network, researchers will better understand MND and identify new therapeutic targets.
- Our Advancing Treatments Award will enable the translation of potential targets into new treatments.
- Our Catalyst Award will help researchers bring bold, innovative and early-stage ideas to life.
Catalyst Awards 2026
As part of our commitment to investing in innovative new approaches, we are launching our Catalyst Awards again for 2026. We’re looking for bold, innovative, early-stage ideas that need catalytic funding to get off the ground. We want to fund the kind of exciting research that has the potential to transform the translational pipeline in MND.
Scope
We will support researchers to gather proof-of-principle evidence that will bring innovative and potentially high-risk ideas to life and develop new approaches to accelerate translational research in MND. Successful applicants will generate the preliminary data that will unlock further investment opportunities.
Catalyst Award applications must align to one or more of the priorities outlined in our Research Strategy, Catalysing a Cure. Among other criteria, applications will be judged on how well they align to our Research Strategy, so applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Foundation before submitting an application to discuss your ideas (please email research@myname5doddie.co.uk).
Applicants should make it clear how, within one year, the project will create a new dataset on an early-stage idea or hypothesis that could open up a new research avenue, and have a clear plan for follow-on funding if their project is successful.
Eligibility and funding
- Lead applicants must be based in a UK academic institution but collaborators can be based anywhere worldwide. We welcome and strongly encourage industry partnership but they cannot receive grant funding.
- We welcome applications from early career researchers without prior experience of leading significant research projects, with written support from their institution.
- Awards are a maximum of £100k for up to 1 year.
- Eligible costs include research staff costs and consumables. Other costs may be considered if the applicant has discussed it with the Foundation prior to the application being made.
- The Foundation does not cover the indirect costs of research.
A maximum of £500k is available for this grant round, depending on suitable quality applications.
Application process and key dates
Applications are to be made using our online grant management system, Flexi-Grant. Key dates are outlined below:
- Tuesday 13 January 2026 – applications open
- Friday 27 February, midday – applications close
- May 2026 – anticipated Award decision
- Autumn 2026 – anticipated start date of successful projects
Assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed by our independent Research Review Committee according to the following criteria:
- Level of scientific innovation
- Potential to open a novel avenue of MND research
- For high-risk projects, appropriate plans are built in to mitigate unnecessary risks e.g. clear decision points with pre-agreed criteria, input from experts who may not be directly involved in the project, etc.
- Alignment to the Foundation’s research strategy and potential of the project to lead to follow-on research that will positively impact people living with MND
- Ability of the project to create a solid preliminary data package within a one-year timeframe
- Suitability of the applicant(s) to carry out the research
- If animal use is proposed and justified, the appropriateness of the number of animals and chosen models
- Potential to secure follow-on funding if the project is successful, and for the follow-on research to rapidly translate towards the clinic
- Justification of funds requested and feasibility of the approach within the proposed budget
All information provided in the application form will be treated with confidentiality, see our Application Terms and Conditions for further information.
Previous success rate
In 2023, we received 9 applications and 3 projects were awarded funding.
In 2024, we received 9 applications and 4 projects were awarded funding.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/research/funding-opportunities/)
