New research partnership between MND Association and NIHR

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is partnering with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to introduce research fellowships which investigate ways to improve the lives of people living with MND. 

This is the first time the MND Association has offered specific health and social care research fellowships and awards will be given to care improvement projects. The aim is to attract, retain and develop current health and social care professionals, for example nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians, providing opportunities for them to continue or start their careers in MND research.

David Mangan, aged 65 and living with MND, has been involved in studies looking at this area of research rather than others such as clinical trials. He is 65 and was diagnosed with MND the day after he retired. He welcomed the news of these fellowships.

"I'm hoping that my involvement in research will help me with my MND now. But if not, the information gained could help other people living with MND. That's a huge driver behind why I've done one trial and two further studies."

David Mangan, living with MND

This partnership is in line with the MND Association strategy to recognise, retain and encourage the important work of researchers who have chosen MND as their area of investigation. Other examples of support we give to researchers are our annual EnCouRage event for early career researchers and through our grants programme. This initiative with NIHR Academy has been developed separately from discussions about drug discovery/development and clinical research initiatives.

The new venture will build research capacity in MND and help researchers receive valuable input from public and patient advisory groups. 

“These fellowships will enrich the MND Association portfolio and are the first health and social care research fellowships we provide. We want to fund research proposals that improve the care of people living with and affected by MND. By attracting, retaining and developing health and social care professionals, we’re aiming to discover news ways to help people diagnosed with this devastating disease.”

Dr Sophie Nyberg, Partnerships and Programme Manager at the MND Association

“This partnership will help in the search for new potential treatments for motor neurone disease and builds on the £50 million funding we’ve pledged for MND research to help find a cure. I am determined to help people living with this devastating disease and boosting cutting-edge research is a crucial part in getting potentially lifesaving treatment to patients faster.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay

“This new partnership demonstrates our commitment to helping health and care researchers tackle the complex challenges of motor neurone disease. The NIHR Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships will help train and support the next generation of researchers. Research is the best opportunity we have to find new ways to treat motor neurone disease and improve the lives of everyone impacted by the disease.”

Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy