General Conditions for Grant Awards

Multiple Sclerosis Research, Treatment and Education: Conditions for Grant Awards for Research.

MS Research (MSR) is delighted to be able to offer grant awards for research into multiple sclerosis.  Funding is available for research projects in any area of MS Research or for timely research reviews.

Eligibility criteria

• Eligibility criteria

  • The proposed study must involve research related to furthering our understanding of the condition Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or improving the treatment of MS.
  • The project should demonstrate a clear indication of how it will offer definable benefit for the treatment or management of MS or will further our understanding of the condition.
  • Priority for funding will be given to studies demonstrating leading edge scientific or clinical concepts and/or techniques.
  • The work must be led by a principal investigator with recognised experience in MS and in the area of the proposed research methodology and topic.
  • Proof of the commitment of the host institution(s) must be provided. This will usually be arranged through the Research Department of the academic or clinical institution as part of UK research governance (link-NIHR). All areas of clinical research governance must be met before approved grants involving patients can be paid.
  • Studies that further the career development of the grant-holder or a member of the research team are welcome.
  • All clinical projects must be relatable to UK NHS or Social Care MS services and carried out in the UK.

Responsibilities

• The grant holder (usually the Chief or Senior Investigator) will be directly responsible for:
• 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 appropriate and required interim reporting to their institution, the funders (MSR) and the beneficiaries of the work during the project and at the end of the project for a final report. This includes lay reports during the study if appropriate and a final report to include a broadly accessible overview of the research findings for people who have a MS and those who care for them.
• The grant holder will:
• Provide an accurate account of the proposed annual costs of the work prior to commencement and, at agreed time points (usually on the annual anniversary of grant commencement) during the project, verified by the appropriate finance manager in their institution.
• Inform all appropriate bodies and the MSR of any variations in these costs and how such cost changes will be managed.
• Inform the MSR of any changes in staffing or other re-allocation of funds within the overall remit of the total agreed by MSR. In the unlikely event of the need for a major change in the progress of the project, for example through the loss of a key researcher funded on the project or breakdown or loss of essential equipment, the grant holder will be responsible for informing all appropriate institutional and funding bodies.
• Where project progress is significantly delayed by such a major change, or the contribution of a key staff member employed on the project is lost (e.g. through illness, appointment to a different post or disciplinary action) , MSR reserves the right to suspend funding until a suitable solution is found, or a replacement staff member appointed.
• In relation to the research protocols it is anticipated that:
• All research governance issues will be managed and overseen by the grant holder./li>
• Where the project includes work with patients, the appropriate NHS research governance and ethics agreements will be in place and adhered to.
• All staff working with patients are to be encouraged to take advantage of University and NHS research governance training schemes. (link) Such schemes are generally free of charge but where a fee is payable this should be included in the grant application or can be applied for separately.
• All staff working with patients should have appropriate paid contracts and/or honorary contracts with all involved institutions.
• Reporting of any adverse event, accident or complaint involving a patient must be reported through the appropriate channels, usually via the NHS organisation with responsibility for the patient involved.
• All publications and presentations arising from the grant funding will acknowledge the institution(s) involved in the project and the funder(s) and will adhere to national and international standards for authorship(link), publication peer review and data protection.
• Any press reports released by the grant holder’s institution to be submitted to MSR prior to release. This will facilitate appropriate responses by MSR or other joint funder(s), and the institutions involved, to any queries from patients or research colleagues, ensure accuracy and encourage the lay dissemination of sound knowledge and information.