Before applying, please ensure you refer to following webpages
- Guidance for Improving Quality of Life research applications
- Terms and conditions for the call
- Research Strategy
If you are unsure whether your research fits within our strategy and current criteria, please contact us at researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org.
We are currently offering funding for small projects of up to 12 months’ duration, and for consumables only of no more than £10,000. Research applications should specifically address an unmet need or offer an innovative solution to a problem that would improve the quality of life of people with neuromuscular conditions.
We appreciate that the pathway to deliver a product (or solution) to the target population is complex and that this funding alone will not be sufficient to take it ‘to market’. However, we expect applicants to outline the pathway that their product/solution will take to benefit lives of people with a muscle wasting condition and have a clear plan to achieve a specific a milestone on this pathway.
Strong applications will engage people with lived experience of the condition(s).
We will fund research across the breadth of conditions supported by the charity, including rare and very-rare conditions. Please refer to the list of conditions supported by Muscular Dystrophy UK. If you want to make an application for research into a neuromuscular condition that is not listed here please contact us on researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org.
Applications can relate to any aspect of research that may lead to an improvement in the quality of life of people with neuromuscular conditions. Our community has specifically highlighted the following areas of research as being important:
- Improving accessibility. This could include research that provides novel solutions to improves access to public or other spaces or public transport
- Mental health & psychological support
- Assistive Technology or physical aids
- Lifestyle (exercise or diet)
- Fatigue
- Physiotherapy
- Pain management
- Hydrotherapy
We are interested in funding in these areas, but will consider any application for research in any area that will lead to improvements in quality of life for people with neuromuscular conditions. Please refer to our Research Strategy for further information about the aims and objectives of the charity, which must be reflected in your application. If you are unsure whether your research fits the criteria or our remit, please contact the research team at researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org.
The deadline for submission of the online application is 3pm on Wednesday 12 June 2024. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Please note that applications can be submitted at any time prior to the deadline. After online submission you must send us a copy of your application signed by the principal- and co-investigators, and by your Head of Department and your institute’s research/finance office. This should be sent by email to researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org no later than 26 June 2024.
We welcome applications from any researcher or allied healthcare professional who is engaged in research. Applications from early-career researchers (defined as researchers who possess a PhD who have not yet gained, or are transitioning to, an independent research career) are also welcome.
We are only able to fund UK-based applicants for research in UK institutions or hospitals.
Please ensure you use the correct form for your application; we reserve the right to reject applications that are submitted using the wrong form type. If you are unsure of which form to use please contact us at researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted using our online application form, which is accessed by a secure login.
- If you have used our online system before, go to the Smart Simple login page. Please login and update your profile before starting your application.
- If you are new to the system, please register as an applicant on the registration page. After that you will be able to log in and select the grant round and type of grant you wish to apply for.
- If you work at an institution which is not already listed on our system, you may need to contact us at researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org to help you create a profile.
Please also refer to our Terms and Conditions and guidance for applicants, which are also accessible when you are logged into the online system; please select Help – Support Documents from the home screen.
If you have any questions, please contact us at researchgrants@musculardystrophyuk.org
How applications will be assessed
Applications will initially be assessed by members of the MDUK Research Team. Queries to applicants will be dealt with in the first two weeks following the application deadline. Applicants may be asked to make amendments to their applications.
Applications will be considered by a committee made up of researchers who have expertise in clinical research into neuromuscular disease and people with lived experience of a neuromuscular condition. The Committee will consider applications according to their quality, impact and potential for productivity. Each Committee member scores each application these scores are used to determine which applications are fundable. Applications that do not meet the quality threshold will not be funded.
The committee will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees who will make the final decision on whether applications should be funded. Decisions on grant applications will be available in early-mid November.