Motor Neurone Disease Association
Charity Number: 294354
Contact Info
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £4.7 million in research grants (2023), £1.4+ million in support grants (2024)
- Success Rate: Not disclosed (highly competitive)
- Decision Time: Approximately 6-12 months
- Grant Range: £1,000 - £1,000,000+
- Geographic Focus: UK and Ireland (international collaborations considered)
Contact Details
- Website: www.mndassociation.org
- Phone: 01604 250505
- Email: enquiries@mndassociation.org
- Research Grants: research.grants@mndassociation.org
Overview
The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association), established in 1979 and registered as charity 294354, is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to improving care and support for people affected by MND. With over 45 years of experience, the Association has become one of the largest MND research funders globally, with a current research portfolio valued at £26.9 million covering 138 projects. Under CEO Tanya Curry's leadership since January 2023, the organization has seen unprecedented growth, with their research investment increasing by 66% in just three years. The charity operates entirely on donations, receiving no government funding, and maintains over 85 branches nationwide.
Funding Priorities
Research Grant Programs
- Biomedical Project Grants: £50,000 - £500,000+ over up to 3 years (rolling applications, varies by year)
- PhD Studentships: £120,000+ over 3.5 years (March 2025 opening)
- Clinical Research Fellowships: £200,000 - £1,000,000+ over up to 5 years (co-funded with MRC)
- Non-Clinical Fellowships: £100,000 - £600,000+ over 2-4 years (March 2025 opening)
- Healthcare Research Grants: Variable amounts up to 3 years (June 2025 deadline)
Support Grant Programs
- Cost of Living Support: Up to £500 for household bills and food shopping (rolling basis)
- Quality of Life Grants: Variable amounts for family holidays and experiences (rolling basis)
- Equipment Grants: Up to £2,000 for specialist equipment not provided by statutory services (rolling basis)
- Children and Young People Grants: Support for families affected by MND (rolling basis)
Priority Areas
- Therapeutic target identification and treatment pipeline development
- Clinical progression understanding and care standards improvement
- Research with clear clinical relevance and therapeutic potential
- Projects addressing NICE Guideline knowledge gaps
- International collaborations with significant UK institute involvement
What They Don't Fund
- Fundamental research without clear therapeutic links
- Studies primarily investigating disease mechanisms without treatment focus
- Diagnostic or device development projects
- Research not directly relevant to MND
Governance and Leadership
CEO: Tanya Curry (since January 2023), who has embedded new leadership structures and developed five-year strategic direction.
Previous CEO: Sally Light served for 10 years until January 2023, receiving the 2022 International Humanitarian Award for her leadership in raising MND awareness. Under her tenure, the charity invested around £17 million in 80 projects globally.
Chair of Trustees: Usman Khan leads the volunteer Board of Trustees responsible for governance and strategy.
Research Panels:
- Biomedical Research Advisory Panel (BRAP): 10 neuroscientists and clinical neurologists plus 2 trustees, meeting twice yearly
- Healthcare Research Advisory Panel (HRAP): Reviews healthcare-focused applications
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
- Summary Application: Required first stage for all research grants via online portal
- Full Application: By invitation only following successful summary review
- Support Grants: Direct application through branch network or online forms
- Applications typically open 2 months before deadlines
Decision Timeline
- Research Grants: 6-12 months from summary submission to final decision
- Support Grants: 4-8 weeks for most applications
- Notification: Successful applicants contacted directly; unsuccessful receive feedback
Success Rates
Not publicly disclosed, but described as “highly competitive” with funding only going to “projects of the highest calibre.” The Association states they “only fund research of the highest scientific/clinical excellence.”
Reapplication Policy
Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future rounds with revised proposals. No specific waiting period mentioned.
Application Success Factors
Research Excellence: “We only fund research of the highest scientific/clinical excellence and greatest relevance to MND. All of the research projects that we fund have clear clinical relevance and/or therapeutic potential.”
Strategic Alignment: Projects must align with the Association's four strategic themes: identifying therapeutic targets, developing treatment pipeline, understanding clinical progression, and improving care standards.
Clear Impact: Applications must demonstrate potential for meaningful advancement in MND understanding or treatment.
Rigorous Review: External peer review combined with internal expert panel assessment ensures only top-quality projects are funded.
Institutional Excellence: The Association only funds research at leading academic research institutes and hospitals.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Emphasize clear therapeutic potential and clinical relevance in all applications
- Align proposals with the Association's four strategic research themes
- Highlight collaboration opportunities, especially for international applicants
- Demonstrate institutional excellence and research track record
- Focus on outcomes that will directly benefit people with MND
- Consider smaller support grants as relationship-building opportunities
- Prepare for highly competitive process with rigorous peer review
- Ensure compliance with NICE Guideline requirements for healthcare research
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- Prostate Cancer Uk
- The Brain Tumour Charity
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
- British Heart Foundation
- Prostate Cancer Research
- Wellbeing Of Women
- Moorfields Eye Charity
- The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
- The Inspire Foundation
- The Douglas Bader Foundation
References
- MND Association Official Website: www.mndassociation.org
- “MND Association provides over £1.4 million in grants in a record-breaking 2024” - MND Association Press Release
- “MND Association research investment reaches record high” - MND Association News
- “Introducing our new CEO” - MND Association Press Release, January 2023
- Charity Commission Register: MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION - 294354
- “Apply for funding” - MND Association Research Pages
- “Our research strategy” - MND Association Research Strategy Document