Funding for researchers

• Funding amount: up to £60,000
• Project duration: up to 12 months
• Opening date: October 2025
• Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 10 February 2026
• Funding outcome: August 2026

Catalyst Awards are 12 months in duration and have an upper funding limit of £60,000. They can provide support for: 

• short-term, small-scale pilot or proof-of-concept studies
• ‘high risk, high reward’ innovative research studies.  

 All Catalyst Award applications should be hypothesis-driven. Or should clearly outline the research question you’re trying to answer. When designing your Catalyst Award proposal, be realistic about what can be achieved within 12 months. Some studies may not be suitable for a Catalyst Award. But could be submitted as a small Project Award.

We intend for researchers from within and outside the MS field to use these awards to explore innovative ideas in MS research. If merited, your ideas may lead to further support through our larger grant schemes or other funding sources.

Download Catalyst Awards applicant guidance [PDF, 343kB] 
Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application. 

Who’s eligible to apply for a Catalyst Award?

Both junior and established researchers are eligible to apply for Catalyst Awards.

You’re expected to have a contract (fixed-term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant. You must be based at a UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project.

What will we fund?

We’ll consider research budgets including running costs (consumables, animal costs, human tissue costs), equipment, and conferences. You should read our Applicant Guidance document for a full list of eligible costs.

Salary costs for lead applicants, co-applicants and advisers shouldn't be included. But there are some circumstances where we'd consider a proportion of salary for one member of the applicant team. You can find more information about this in the Applicant Guidance.

How do I apply for a Catalyst Award?

You must submit your application through our online grants management system, Symplectic Grant Tracker. 

You can find information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker.

For more information you can email [email protected] or call us on 020 8438 0822.

What’s the review process for Catalyst Awards?

• Once you’ve submitted your application, we validate it to make sure it fits the remit of the Catalyst Awards round. And to check that all sections of the form have been completed adequately.
• If your application is eligible, we send it for independent review by members of The Expert Review Network (TERN) with relevant expertise. This includes review by lay members. We may also send it for review outside of TERN if necessary or appropriate. For example, if we don’t have relevant expertise or there are conflicts of interest within TERN.
• Based on the TERN review scores, applications go through a shortlisting process. This involves the TERN Review Panel Chair discussing the review scores and comments. It can also include a Vice Chair and a lay panel member, depending on the applications being considered. They’ll recommend a shortlist of the highest quality and most relevant applications for further review. These will have the best chances of being fundable in this round. The remaining applications will be rejected (triaged). We’ll tell all applicants the triage outcomes around a month before funding outcomes are announced.
• Shortlisted applications are considered by invited TERN members at the Catalyst Awards TERN Review Panel meeting.
• The TERN Review Panel provides a recommendation to us about which applications should be funded.
• Our Board of Trustees then considers their recommendations for funding.
• Following approval by the Board, we’ll communicate official funding offers, awards are made and projects start.

What’s the success rate for Catalyst Award applications?

There was a success rate of 13% for Catalyst Award applications in 2025. And a success rate of 39% in 2024. In 2025:

• Twenty-three eligible applications were submitted across two rounds
• We took 11 applications through triage to the TERN Review Panel Meetings
• We funded three Catalyst Awards

• Funding amount: up to £100,000
• Project duration: Up to two years
• Opening date: October 2025
• Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 10 February 2026
• Funding outcome: August 2026

Data Discovery Awards provide support for exploratory, data-driven research projects. And aim to build data science capability in the UK. Projects must have a clear emphasis on data science. And should use data analysis techniques to mine, interrogate and integrate large datasets to answer questions relevant to our research strategy. 

We strongly encourage you to use the UK MS Register in your project. This offers significant advantages including: 

• A wealth of longitudinal data from over 20,000 people with MS, providing an extensive and unique dataset for analysis.
• Advisory support from the UK MS Register team. They can provide expertise to help you get the most out of the Register dataset. And advise on appropriate data analysis 

You can find out more about the UK MS Register and ways you can use it in our Data Discovery Awards applicant guidance.  

• Highlight notice: we’re also particularly interested in receiving applications with a focus on MS risk reduction and prevention. You can find details about this our applicant guidance.  

Laboratory-based approaches won’t be considered for this funding call. And we won’t fund applications relating to pharmacological interventions for MS. 

Download Data Discovery Awards applicant guidance [PDF, 324kB]
Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application.

Who’s eligible to apply for a Data Discovery Award? 

Both junior and established researchers are eligible to apply as Lead Applicant for our Data Discovery Awards. 

You’re expected to have a contract (fixed-term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant. You must be based at an UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project. 

What will you fund? 

You can apply for up to £100,000 for a Data Discovery Award. We’ll consider research budgets including salaries (research, technical), running costs (consumables), equipment and conferences. We won’t pay animal costs or human tissue costs for Data Discovery Awards. You should read our Data Discovery Award applicant guidance document for a full list of eligible costs. 

Note that salary costs for lead applicants, co-applicants and advisers shouldn't be included. But there are some circumstances where we'd consider a proportion of salary for one member of the applicant team. You can find more information about this in the Data Discovery Awards applicant guidance. 

How do I apply for a Data Discovery Award? 

You must submit your application through our online grants management system, Symplectic Grant Tracker.  

You can find information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker. 

Using the UK MS Register in your project? Then you must check the feasibility of your proposal with the UK MS Register team before you submit your application to us. You’ll need to: 

1. Complete and submit an initial Expression of Interest form to the UK MS Register team. They’ll then contact you to arrange a call to discuss your proposal further.
2. If your proposal is suitable, the UK MS Register team will ask you to complete a Data Discovery Award (DDA) Feasibility Assessment Form. This’ll provide them with more information on your project aims, methodology/protocol and statistical analysis plan.
3. If your proposal is confirmed as feasible by the UK MS Register team, they’ll send you a PDF copy of your DDA Feasibility Assessment Form. This must be uploaded to your Data Discovery Award application form.  

The project aims, methodology/protocol and statistical analysis plan that you submit in the DDA Feasibility Assessment form mustn’t change once they’ve been reviewed by the UK MS Register team. You must copy these sections verbatim into the relevant sections of your Data Discovery Award application form on Grant Tracker.   

Please be aware that the UK MS Register team must receive details about your project at least four weeks before our application submission deadline. So please make sure you factor time in to complete these UK MS Register feasibility checks. 

For more information you can email [email protected] or call us on 020 8438 0822. 

What’s the review process for Data Discovery Awards? 

• Once you’ve submitted your application, we validate it to make sure it fits the Data Discovery Awards remit. And to check that all sections of the form have been completed adequately. If you’re using the UK MS Register, we’ll also check that the UK MS Register Team have confirmed the feasibility of your proposal.
• If your application is eligible, we send it for independent, external review by members of the research community with relevant expertise and members of our Research Network.
• Based on the TERN review scores, applications go through a shortlisting process. This involves the TERN Review Panel Chair discussing the review scores and comments. It can also include a Vice Chair and a lay panel member, depending on the applications being considered. They’ll recommend a shortlist of the highest quality and most relevant applications for further review. These will have the best chances of being fundable in this round. The remaining applications will be rejected (triaged). We’ll tell all applicants the triage outcomes around a month before funding outcomes are announced.  
• If your application is shortlisted, you’re invited to provide a rebuttal to the reviewers’ comments. You’ll have 14 days to submit this and we’ll advise you of the rebuttal dates in advance.
• Shortlisted applications are considered by invited SSC and TERN members at the Data Discovery Awards Review Panel meeting. Experts from outside of the SSC and TERN may also be invited if required. For example, where there are conflicts of interest or additional expertise would be beneficial.
• The Review Panel provides a recommendation to us about which applications should be funded.
• Our Board of Trustees then considers their recommendations for funding.
• Following approval by the Board, we’ll communicate official funding offers, awards are made and projects start. 

What’s the success rate for Data Discovery Award applications? 

We’ve updated our Data Discovery Awards funding scheme for 2025. We hope the changes made will support more people to apply. For the previous version of these Awards there was a success rate of 100% for applications in 2024. And 20% in 2023. In 2024: 

• Two eligible applications were submitted
• Both applications were considered at the Review Panel Meeting
• We funded two Data Discovery Awards 

• Funding amount: See 'What will you fund?' section below
• Project duration: Up to four years
• Opening date: October 2025
• ECR PPI Partnership scheme closes: 12 noon on Tuesday 9 December 2025
• Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 3 March 2026
• Funding outcome: August 2026

Early Career Fellowships are one of our Career Development Awards, aiming to attract and retain talented postdoctoral researchers who want to build a successful career in MS research. These grants provide a staged career structure and the opportunity for you to progress towards higher level appointments.

Download Early Career Fellowship applicant guidance [PDF, 362kB]
 

Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application. 

Who’s eligible to apply?

If you’re applying as Lead Applicant, you must be the prospective Early Career Fellow. And you must’ve completed a PhD in a relevant science or health discipline. If you’ve completed a doctoral-level qualification other than a PhD, please contact us to discuss your eligibility. You can apply before your PhD (or equivalent) is awarded, but the award must be made before the fellowship starts. 

We’ve found that fellowships are usually awarded to researchers after their first or second postdoc. But Early Career Fellowship applications are assessed on more than just the experience of the applicant (‘Person’). The quality and relevance of the Project, and the quality of the training plan and environment (‘Place’) are also important factors. So we encourage you to apply even if you’re earlier on in your career. Fellowships are available to everyone conducting research across the spectrum of MS research.

You must be based at an UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project. You need to name a supervisor on your application. They must be actively involved in the project and are responsible for supporting you throughout. Supervisors are required to sign off the application before you submit.

If you’re a clinician or healthcare professional you may also be eligible to apply for one of our co-funded schemes. We partner with UKRI, NIHR and the Association of British Neurologists to offer clinical fellowships. If you’d like to discuss which funding scheme would be most suitable for you, please email us at [email protected].

What will you fund?

Early Career Fellowships are typically around £300,000 - £375,000. If your total budget is more than £375,000 you must contact us at least a month before the submission deadline to discuss this. We’ll automatically reject any applications that exceed this amount without prior discussion. 

We provide support for:

• your salary for up to four years
• up to £80,000 in running costs
• up to £4,000 towards conference attendance or travel

The running costs and conference/travel can be spread across your Fellowships duration. But mustn’t exceed the maximum amounts stated above. These costs are pro rata. 

We support flexible and part-time working for Early Career Fellows (part-time working should be a minimum of 50% FTE). If you'd like to discuss this further within the context of your application, you can email [email protected].

Early Career Researcher PPI Partnership

You should involve people affected by MS to help design your research. You should do this as early as you can. 

Read more about involvement in your Early Career Fellowship application in our Applicant Guidance document [PDF, 362kB]

Read more about how we can help with PPI on our public involvement in research page.

We’re offering Early Career Fellowship applicants extra support in developing your lay summary and involvement plans for your Fellowship. The PPI Partnership Scheme is only available to researchers applying to our Early Career Fellowships. We’ve designed this scheme to support early career researchers, who may have less experience of PPI, to develop their skills in this area. 

You’ll be paired with someone (or a small group) affected by MS who’ll be your PPI partner. Your partner can help you develop your ideas from the perspective of those affected by your research topic. You’ll receive verbal feedback from your PPI partner through a series of online meetings. This format gives you a chance to ask for clarification on the feedback you receive and to ask follow-up questions. You'll take your re-drafted application back to your PPI partner to show the changes you have made based on their feedback. And actively work with them to make improvements before you submit.

You don’t have to take part in the ECR PPI Partnership if you don’t want to. You can still apply without it. This isn’t part of our review process, but is intended to help you to improve your application. 

If you’d like to take part in the ECR PPI Partnership, you’ll need to complete the PPI Partnership application form. This can be downloaded from the sidebar. And should be submitted before the scheme closes. The dates for the scheme can be found in the application form document.

You should email your completed form to [email protected].

What’s the review process for Early Career Fellowships?

• Once you’ve submitted your application, we validate it to make sure it fits the remit of the Early Career Fellowships round. And to check that all sections of the form have been completed adequately.
• If your application is eligible, we send it for independent, external review by members of the research community with relevant expertise. And members of our Research Network.
• Based on the external review scores, applications go through a shortlisting process. This involves the TERN Review Panel Chair discussing the review scores and comments. It can also include a Vice Chair and a lay panel member, depending on the applications being considered. They’ll recommend a shortlist of the highest quality and most relevant applications for further review. These will have the best chances of being fundable in this round. The remaining applications will be rejected (triaged). We’ll tell all applicants the triage outcomes around a month before funding outcomes are announced.
• If your application is shortlisted, you’re invited to provide a rebuttal to the reviewers’ comments. You’ll have 14 days to submit this and we’ll advise you of the rebuttal dates in advance.
• Shortlisted applications are considered by invited TERN members at the Career Development Awards TERN Review Panel meeting.
• If your application is shortlisted, you'll be invited to interview at the Review Panel meeting.
• The TERN Review Panel provides a recommendation to us about which applications should be funded.
• Our Board of Trustees then considers their recommendations for funding.
• Following approval by the Board, we’ll communicate official funding offers, awards are made and projects start.

How do I apply?

You must submit your applications via our online grants management system.

You can find all information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker.

For more information you can email [email protected] or call us on 020 8438 0822.

What’s the success rate for Early Career Fellowship applications?

There was a success rate of 17% for Early Career Fellowship applications in 2024. And 40% in 2023. In 2024:

• Six eligible applications were submitted
• We took four applications through triage to the TERN Review Panel Meeting
• We funded one Early Career Fellowship

• Funding amount: See ‘What will you fund?’ section below
• Project duration: Up to three years
• Opening date: October 2025
• Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 10 February 2026
• Funding outcome: August 2026

PhD Fellowships are one of our Career Development Awards, designed to encourage the best science graduates to embark on a research career in MS. These awards provide practical research training leading to a doctorate, under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Download PhD Fellowships applicant guidance [PDF, 355 KB]
 

Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application. 

Who’s eligible to apply?

PhD Fellowships are awarded to the prospective supervisor of the project. You’re responsible for identifying a suitable student. You don’t need to name them when making your application. 

The research environment and quality of the training provided will be key considerations for review.

You’re expected to have a contract (fixed-term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant. You must be based at an UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project.

What will you fund?

We provide support for:

• PhD stipends in line with UKRI rates
• up to £7,000 a year towards tuition fees
• up to £45,000 in running costs
• up to £3,000 towards conference attendance or travel

The running costs and conference/travel costs can be spread across the three years. But mustn’t exceed the maximum amounts stated above.

You can find the full list of eligible costs in our PhD Fellowships applicant guidance document in the sidebar.

How do I apply?

You must submit your application via our online grants management system.

You can find all information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker.

For more information you can email [email protected] or call us on 020 8438 0822.

What’s the review process for PhD Fellowships?

• Once you’ve submitted your application, we validate it to make sure it fits the remit of the PhD Fellowships round. And to check that all sections of the form have been completed adequately.
• If your application is eligible, we send it for independent, external review by members of the research community with relevant expertise and members of our Research Network.
• Based on the review scores, applications go through a shortlisting process. This involves the TERN Review Panel Chair discussing the review scores and comments. It can also include a Vice Chair and a lay panel member, depending on the applications being considered. They’ll recommend a shortlist of the highest quality and most relevant applications for further review. These will have the best chances of being fundable in this round. The remaining applications will be rejected (triaged). We’ll tell all applicants the triage outcomes around a month before funding outcomes are announced.
• If your application is shortlisted, you’re invited to provide a rebuttal to the reviewers’ comments. You’ll have 14 days to submit this and we’ll advise you of the rebuttal dates in advance.
• Shortlisted applications are considered by invited TERN members at the Career Development Awards TERN Review Panel meeting.
• The TERN Review Panel provides a recommendation to us about which applications should be funded.
• Our Board of Trustees then considers their recommendations for funding.
• Following approval by the Board, we’ll communicate official funding offers, awards are made and projects start.

What’s the success rate for PhD Fellowship applications?

There was a success rate of 43% for PhD Fellowship applications in 2024. And 17% in 2023. In 2024:

• Seven eligible applications were submitted
• We took five applications through triage to the TERN Review Panel Meeting
• We funded three PhD Fellowships

• Funding amount: No upper or lower limit.
• Project duration: Up to 36 months
• Opening date: October 2025
• Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 10 February 2026
• Funding outcome: August 2026

Project Awards provide support for research projects designed to answer a single question, or a small group of related questions. Applications must be hypothesis-driven.

Download Project Awards applicant guidance [PDF, 325kB] 
 

Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application. 

Who’s eligible to apply for a Project Award?

Our Project Awards are intended for established researchers, but junior researchers are also eligible to apply.

You’re expected to have a contract (fixed-term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant. You must be based at an UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project.

What will you fund?

There is no upper or lower limit for Project Award budgets, but we’ll consider value for money as one of the review criteria.

We’ll consider research budgets including salaries (research, technical), running costs (consumables, animal costs, human tissue costs), equipment, and conferences. Please note that you can’t include your salary costs or those of your co-applicants. You can find the full list of eligible costs in our Project Awards applicant guidance document in the sidebar.

How do I apply for a Project Award?

You must submit your application through our online grants management system, Symplectic Grant Tracker. 

You can find information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker.

For more information you can email [email protected] or call us on 020 8438 0822.

What’s the review process for Project Awards?

• Once you’ve submitted your application, we validate it to make sure it fits the remit of the Project Awards round.
• If your application is eligible, we send it for independent, external review by members of the research community with relevant expertise and members of our Research Network.
• Based on the TERN review scores, applications go through a shortlisting process. This involves the TERN Review Panel Chair discussing the review scores and comments. It may also include a Vice Chair and a lay panel member, depending on the applications being considered. They’ll recommend a shortlist of the highest quality and most relevant applications for further review. These will have the best chances of being fundable in this round. The remaining applications will be rejected (triaged). We’ll tell all applicants the triage outcomes around a month before funding outcomes are announced.  
• If your application is shortlisted, you’re invited to provide a rebuttal to the reviewers’ comments. You’ll have 14 days to submit this and we’ll advise you of the rebuttal dates in advance.
• Shortlisted applications are considered by invited TERN members at the Project Awards TERN Review Panel meeting.
• The TERN Review Panel provides a recommendation to us about which applications should be funded.
• Our Board of Trustees then considers their recommendations for funding.
• Following approval by the Board, we’ll communicate official funding offers, awards are made and projects start.

What’s the success rate for Project Award applications?

There was a success rate of 21% for Project Award applications in 2025. And 29% in 2024. In 2025:

• Fourteen eligible applications were submitted
• We took 11 applications through triage to the TERN Review Panel Meeting
• We funded three Project Awards

We also offer co-funded opportunities with our research partners. If you're interested in any of these opportunities, you can get in touch with us before submitting your application. Deadlines for these opportunities are throughout the year. You can find more information and apply through our partners' websites.

Co-funded pre-doctoral Research Fellowships

ABN Clinical Research Training Fellowships

We partner with the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) to offer co-funded Clinical Research Training Fellowships for clinical neurology trainees to undertake a PhD or other higher research degree. The Fellowship funding is for three years and includes salary plus up to £10,000 each year in other research costs.

UKRI Clinical Research Training Fellowships

We’re excited to partner with the UKRI towards their clinically-focused pre-doctoral Clinical Research Training Fellowships. These Fellowships support clinicians to undertake a PhD or other higher research degree.

Co-funded postdoctoral Research Fellowships

MS Society Daphne Jackson Fellowship

We're delighted to partner with the Daphne Jackson Trust to co-fund Daphne Jackson Fellowships.These Fellowships support researchers to return to a research career after a break of two years or more for family, health or caring reasons. They provide the opportunity to balance an individually tailored retraining programme with a challenging research project. 

The Fellow will receive unparalleled support from the Trust's Fellowship Advisors and administrative staff. And mentoring and retraining during the Fellowship. The aim is to give Fellows the confidence and skills they need to successfully return to research. This co-funded opportunity will support a researcher interested in any area of MS research back to their career. 

UKRI Career Development Awards and Clinical Research Training Fellowships

We’re excited to partner with the UKRI towards their Career Development Awards and clinically-focused postdoctoral Clinical Research Training Fellowships.

Career Development Awards support postdoctoral researchers to establish your own research group and transition to independent investigator.

Postdoctoral Clinical Research Training Fellowships provide a route for postdoctoral applicants who achieved their PhD some time ago but who have not been research active since due to clinical training commitments to reacquire research skills.

NIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships

We’ve also partnered with the NIHR to co-fund their Postdoctoral Awards. These provide funding and support for individuals from all professional backgrounds at any postdoctoral career stage.

The Fellowship funding is for two to five years and you can complete it on a full- or part-time basis (between 50-100% whole time equivalent). If you are a clinical applicant, you can request up to 40% of your time to dedicate to clinical service or development. This time will be paid for by the Award.

All research funding applications we receive are reviewed by other researchers with relevant expertise (peer review) and by people affected by MS (lay review).

Depending on the funding scheme you have applied to, the review process may be slightly different. Some of these reviewers may part of The Expert Review Network (TERN). All of our funding panels are made up of TERN members with relevant expertise to the funding round and applications being assessed.

You can find an overview of the review process for each funding scheme in the tabs above. 

Our review processes

As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), we follow their principles of peer review. These principles are the benchmark for ‘best practice’ for reviewing funding applications to medical and health research charities. And ensure quality and fairness in decision-making.

You can find the scoring criteria used by our review panels as an appendix in the Applicant Guidance document. This can be downloaded from the sidebar.

We are audited by AMRC every 5 years to make sure we are still keeping pace with best practice. Our review processes were last audited in 2020 and meet the criteria for best practice.