Motor Neurone Disease Association

The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association), founded in 1979 by people affected by MND, is the UK's only national charity dedicated exclusively to motor neurone disease—a rapidly progressing, incurable neurological disorder—in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to improve care, fund and promote research toward a cure, and campaign for the rights of those living with or affected by MND, guided by core values of compassion, inclusivity, and evidence-led impact. Distinctively, it balances immediate practical support with ambitious systemic change, leading global research collaborations and championing initiatives like the MND Charter and NICE guidelines.

It funds three priorities: direct care and support for people with MND, families, and carers (e.g., Quality of Life Grants, Care Grants up to £1,500+ for equipment and adaptations); research into causes, diagnosis, treatments, and cures (biomedical projects, PhD studentships, fellowships); and advocacy for policy improvements and awareness. Beneficiaries include those diagnosed, at risk, families, and carers, with activities spanning clinical trials, assistive tech, multidisciplinary clinics, peer support, and bereavement services.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, academic institutions, NHS trusts, and hospitals based in the UK (research extends to Ireland with UK collaboration); it prefers established organizations with MND track records, accepting unsolicited applications via EOI then full proposals. Typical grants: research up to £85,000/year (£255,000 over 3 years), PhD up to 3.5 years; next deadlines are 1 May 2026 (PhD/Non-Clinical Fellowships/Healthcare Projects) and 30 October 2026 (Biomedical Projects), with peer review and trustee approval taking months.

It excludes non-MND activities, core/unrestricted funding, and small grassroots groups for research (though individual grants via branches). Uniquely focused on MND, it invests £26m+ in research and £3.2m+ in care annually, fostering high-trust partnerships for person-centred, innovative impact.