Research Grant Conditions

To be considered for one of our research grants, your application must meet all the eligibility criteria set out here. If your application is successful, we will expect you to understand and adhere to your grant holder responsibilities and our research protocols.

involve research directly related to Multiple Sclerosis
be led by a principal investigator with recognised experience in MS, and in the area of research methodology proposed
take place in the UK.

Demonstrate suitable expertise within the research team
Clearly indicate how the research will offer definable benefit for the treatment or management of MS or will further our understanding of the condition.
State the precise role and time commitment of all applicants and cost these appropriately.
Provide proof of the commitment of the host institution(s). This will usually be arranged through the Research Support Department of the academic or clinical institution as part of UK research governance. All areas of research governance must be met before we can pay approved grants.

Timely and expert delivery of the project according to the submitted grant application, protocol and research plan.
Management and support of all individuals supported on the grant.
Sole or joint supervision of any students supported or part-supported by the grant.
Overseeing all required interim and end-of-project reporting to us (and other funders), their institution, and the beneficiaries of the work. Where appropriate, this should include lay reports during the study, and an accessible overview of the final research findings aimed at people who have a MS and those who care for them.

Provide an accurate account of proposed annual costs before work starts, and at agreed time points during the project (usually each year). These must be verified by the appropriate finance manager in their institution.
Inform us, and all other appropriate bodies, of any variations in these costs and how these will be managed.
Inform us of any changes in staffing or other re-allocation of funds within the overall remit of the agreed total.
In the unlikely event of a major change in project progress (for example essential equipment breaks down or a key researcher is ill or leaves their post), inform us and all other appropriate institutional and funding bodies. Where project progress is significantly delayed we reserves the right to suspend funding until a solution is found.

The grant holder will manage and oversee all research governance issues.
Where the project includes work with patients, appropriate NHS research governance and ethics agreements is in place and adhered to.
Staff working with patients:
- have appropriate paid contracts and/or honorary contracts with all involved institutions
- are encouraged to take advantage of University and NHS research governance training schemes. (These are generally free of charge, but where a fee is payable, this can be included in the grant application or through our bursary funding).
Any adverse event, accident or complaint involving a patient is reported through the appropriate channels – usually via the NHS organisation with responsibility for the patient.
All publications and presentations arising from the grant funding:
- acknowledge us and other funders, as well as institution(s) involved in the project
- adhere to national and international standards for authorship, publication peer review and data protection.
Any press reports from the grant holder’s institution are submitted to us before release. This will facilitate appropriate responses from us or other joint funder(s), and the institutions involved, to any queries from patients or research colleagues. It will also ensure accuracy and encourage the lay dissemination of sound knowledge and information.