M. S. Research Treatment And Education Limited

Charity Number: 1043280

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £144,568 (2023-24, final year before merger)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Current Status: Merged with MS Trust

Contact Details

Historical Contact Information:

  • Website: www.ms-research.org.uk (now redirects to mstrust.org.uk/msresearch)
  • Email: info@ms-research.org.uk (now hello@mstrust.org.uk)
  • Phone: 07823 322961

For Current Grant Enquiries:

Contact MS Trust at hello@mstrust.org.uk regarding research funding following the merger.

Overview

M.S. Research Treatment and Education Limited (MSRTE) was registered as a charity in 1995, originally as part of MUSTER (Multiple Sclerosis Training, Education and Research). Initially based in London, the charity moved to Bristol in 2001 where it continued supporting quality MS-focused research projects across the UK for over two decades. Led by Dr. Rosie Jones and supported by former chair Ben Clacy, MSRTE operated as an NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) non-commercial partner, funding research projects at universities including Bristol, Oxford, Nottingham, Bournemouth, and Sheffield. Funded entirely by donations and grants, the charity supported specialist research into multiple sclerosis with annual expenditure of approximately £145,000 in its final year. In November 2024, MSRTE officially merged with the MS Trust to create a stronger combined organization that bridges research and clinical practice. The newly merged entity retains the Multiple Sclerosis Trust name and continues research funding activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

MSRTE provided research grants to universities and healthcare professionals for studies aimed at improving MS care. While specific grant amounts were not publicly disclosed, the charity funded both whole projects and elements of larger research initiatives. Research topics could be observational, clinical, academic/laboratory-based, or a combination of these approaches.

Examples of Funded Research Projects:

  • Bournemouth University: Reducing the impact of fatigue in people with MS using the FACETS programme (2013)
  • Bristol University Engineering: Tremor assessment device development (2014)
  • University of Bristol: Materials research for wheelchair support (2018)
  • University of the West of England: Tremor study (2019)
  • Sheffield University: Mobility sensor research for progressive MS (2023)
  • Oxford University: Molecular determinants of axonal loss (2024)

Professional Development:

MSRTE also provided subsistence and travel bursaries for researchers to attend international conferences including ECTRIMS, AAN, and RIMS.

Priority Areas

  • Research into understanding MS causes and progression
  • Clinical research to improve MS treatment and management
  • Studies demonstrating leading-edge scientific or clinical concepts
  • Research offering definable benefits for MS treatment or management
  • Projects bridging the gap between research findings and clinical practice
  • Fatigue management and quality of life improvements
  • Mobility and assistive technology research

What They Funded

MSRTE was an NIHR non-commercial partner, meaning studies they funded were eligible for the NIHR Study Support Service. They funded research at UK universities and NHS organizations, with priority given to studies demonstrating clear potential benefit for people with MS.

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Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership (Pre-Merger):

  • Dr. Rosie Jones: Led MS Research Treatment and Education throughout much of its operation
  • Ben Clacy: Former Chair of Trustees (now moved to MS Trust board following merger). Clacy is Executive Director of Membership, Development & Education at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and has personal connection to MS through his mother who lived with the condition.

Trustee Structure:

The charity operated with 2 trustees and 1 volunteer, with no employees receiving benefits over £60,000 and no trustee remuneration.

Following the November 2024 merger, the remaining trustees stepped down from their roles, with Ben Clacy joining the MS Trust board to ensure continuity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Notice: As of November 2024, M.S. Research Treatment and Education Limited has merged with the MS Trust. The organization no longer operates independently.

For research funding opportunities following the merger, researchers should contact the MS Trust at hello@mstrust.org.uk or visit mstrust.org.uk for current funding programs.

Historical Application Process:

Prior to the merger, MSRTE accepted applications from research and healthcare professionals for studies that improved MS care. The charity operated as an NIHR non-commercial partner, and applicants were encouraged to involve their local NIHR Clinical Research Network team early in the planning phase.

Eligibility Criteria (Historical):

  • The proposed study must involve research related to furthering understanding of MS or improving its treatment
  • Clear indication of how the research would offer definable benefit for MS treatment or management
  • Priority given to studies demonstrating leading-edge scientific or clinical concepts
  • Work must be led by a principal investigator with recognised experience in MS and in the proposed research methodology

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines were not publicly disclosed during MSRTE's independent operation.

Success Rates

Success rates were not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy was publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Historical Insights from MSRTE's Funding Approach:

MSRTE prioritized research that demonstrated practical application for people with MS. Their funding of the FACETS fatigue management programme exemplifies this approach - they not only funded the research but ensured it was translated into practical programs delivered directly to people with MS through the NHS.

The charity's status as an NIHR non-commercial partner indicates they valued research that could integrate with the broader UK health research infrastructure and benefit from NHS support services.

Their funding portfolio shows consistent interest in:

  • Quality of life improvements (fatigue management, tremor suppression)
  • Evidence-based interventions that could be implemented in clinical settings
  • Collaborative projects with established UK universities
  • Research addressing specific MS symptoms with practical solutions

The merger with MS Trust in November 2024 was described by MS Trust CEO Lucy Taylor as positioning the combined organization to “bridge the gap between research and clinical practice” and “pave the way for the funding of research projects,” suggesting this practical, translational focus will continue.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Merger Alert: As of November 2024, MSRTE has merged with MS Trust - contact MS Trust for current research funding opportunities
  • Historical Focus: MSRTE prioritized research with clear, definable benefits for people with MS, not just theoretical advances
  • Translation Matters: The charity valued projects that could move from research into clinical practice and real-world application
  • NIHR Partnership: As an NIHR non-commercial partner, they supported research that could access broader NHS research infrastructure
  • Practical Impact: Funded projects often addressed specific symptoms (fatigue, tremor, mobility) with tangible interventions
  • UK Universities: Collaborated primarily with established UK academic institutions with recognized MS expertise
  • Continuity: Ben Clacy's move to MS Trust board suggests some continuity of approach in the merged entity

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References