The main round of applications for grants commencing in 2024 has now closed. Applications for PhD scholarships commencing in 2024 will open towards the end of 2023.
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 are now closed
Application download (updated 10/07/2023)
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 researchers with a track record in MND or areas related to MND, or who can bring new skills and knowledge into Australian MND research, and no more than five years postdoctoral research experience
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 are now closed
​Application downloads (updated 12/07/2023)
Three years of support at $100,000/year, plus a one off payment of $50,000. Please note that this grant is only available to researchers based in Queensland. The David Deguara Postdoctoral Research Fellowship aims to encourage young researchers to focus their interest on classical forms of MND.
Definition of forms of MND supported by MNDRA
Applicants: Postdoctoral researchers with a track record in MND or areas related to MND, or who can bring new skills and knowledge into Australian MND research, and no more than five years postdoctoral research experience. Must be Queensland-based.
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 are now closed
Application download (updated 17/07/2023)
Funding for research that is innovative and has a clear relationship to the causes, treatments or cures of MND or the support of people living with MND. Innovator Grants support research of up to $100,00 for one year commencing in the calendar year 2024. Only one Innovator Grant application will be permitted per Principal Investigator (applicants can be Co-Investigators on other applications).
Definition of forms of MND supported by MNDRA
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: Up to $100,000 for one year
Deadline: Applications are now closed
Application download (updated 25/07/2023)
Top-up grants (up to three years) will be available in 2024 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 for grants commencing in 2024 will open at the end of 2023.
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 2023):
MND Research Australia Grant Review Criteria and Relative to Opportunity Guidelines 2023
MND Research Australia Detailed Grant Score Criteria 2023
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 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.
