MND Australia

Apply for a research grant

Applications for all grants commencing in 2023 have now closed. 

Two top-up grants (up to three years) are available in 2023 for a PhD student who has been awarded a full PhD scholarship for biomedical or public health research in motor neurone disease. The MNDRA PhD Scholarship Top-up Grant is awarded as an incentive to an outstanding PhD student.

Applicants: MND researchers working in Australia in applied research or fields relevant to the cause, treatment or cure of MND. Applicants must be an Australian citizen; have permanent resident status; be a citizen of NZ with Australian work rights; or be a foreign researcher with a work visa extending for a minimum of 12-months after the grant concludes.

Grant: The grant will provide a $5,000 per annum stipend for a PhD candidate, for three years. 

Deadline: Applications have now closed.

Application download (updated 19/12/2022)

Definition of forms of MND supported by MNDRA

The Daniel McLoone Major Research Initiative (MRI) aims to support an outstanding innovative and collaborative project that has the capacity to make a significant impact on Australian MND research. The grant will be for up to a total of $1M for a 4-year project.

Deadline: Applications have now closed.

The Daniel McLoone MND Research Prize replaces the Betty and John Laidlaw MND Research Prize and is funded from a generous bequest from the estate of Daniel McLoone. This award aims to reward an outstanding mid-career researcher (5-12 years post PhD) with a demonstrated background of excellence in neuroscience research. The Prize will be a grant of up to $500,000 for an innovative and collaborative two-year project to advance the understanding, treatment and care of *classical MND. Applicants can apply for both a Daniel McLoone MND Research prize and an Innovator Grant but will only be eligible to receive one award.

*Classical MND includes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) & bulbar palsies (progressive bulbar palsy and pseudobulbar palsy), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS).

Definition of forms of MND supported by MNDRA

Applicants: Mid-career neuroscience researchers working in Australia. Applicants must be an Australian citizen; have permanent resident status; be a citizen of NZ with Australian work rights; or be a foreign researcher with a work visa extending for a minimum of 12-months after the grant concludes (this is to maximise the opportunity to realise grant outcomes).
Grant: Up to $500,000 over two years

Deadline: Applications have now closed. 

Application download  (updated 21/07/2022)

Three years of support at $100,000/year, plus a one off payment of $50,000. These fellowships aim to encourage young researchers to focus their interest on ALS/MND. The number of fellowships offered will depend on our final fundraising outcomes. 

Definition of forms of MND supported by MNDRA

Applicants: Postdoctoral scientists with a track record in areas of neuroscience related to MND and no more than five years postdoctoral research experience. Applicants must be an Australian citizen; have permanent resident status; be a citizen of NZ with Australian work rights; or be a foreign researcher with a work visa extending for a minimum of 12-months after the grant concludes (this is to maximise the opportunity to realise grant outcomes).
Grant: Salary for a full-time research fellow will be funded at $100,000 p.a. for a period of up to three years, plus a one off payment of $50,000.
Deadline: Applications have now closed. 

​Application downloads (updated 07/07/2022)

Applications for Innovator Grants for 2023 have now closed

Changes to the eligibility criteria for the 2023 MNDRA Funding Round

We have expanded the eligibility criteria for applicants. Applicants must either:

  • be an Australian citizen
  • have permanent resident status
  • be an New Zealand citizen or
  • be a foreign researcher with a work visa extending for a minimum of 12-months after the grant concludes (this is to maximise the opportunity to realise grant outcomes).

Additional changes to the 2023 MNDRA Funding Round 

  • For all MNDRA research grants, proposals for work in any classical MND-related field will be considered from basic molecular biology to healthcare and social science.
  • If a proposed project, or one very similar, has already received funding or has funding forthcoming, this must be disclosed. The additional benefits of the MNDRA funding must be clearly articulated and need for the MNDRA funding justified.
  • For all applications, a clear vision of how this research can be utilised and/or a path to translation is required.
  • Make sure you use the correct forms i.e. for funding commencing 2023. The guideline documents have now been incorporated into the application form so only one document needs referring to. 

Grant Review Criteria

Our grant review criteria are now aligned with those used by the NHMRC, with appropriate adaptation for MND-specific research. 

Please click on the links below (documents updated July 2022):

MND Research Australia Grant Review Criteria and Relative to Opportunity Guidelines 2022

MND Research Australia Detailed Grant Score Criteria 2022

The relative to opportunity guidelines included in the above document provides detail and clarity around eligibility and reviewing considerations for career disruptions, different career paths and availability of resources.

MNDRA reporting requirements

MNDRA requires all funded researchers to submit six monthly progress reports and a final report and financial acquittal at the completion of a research project. Progress and final reports are now required to be submitted through the Researchfish platform. Please contact us at research@mndaustralia.org.au if you require login details to submit a report. 

If you need to request an extension or variation to your project then please complete this form and send via email to the address above.