Launching soon: My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Catalyst Awards

24 August 2023

We have had a very busy year following the successful launch of our Research Strategy, Catalysing a Cure, and our flagship competitive grant scheme. In April, we announced the launch of our Project Awards; applications for which are currently being rigorously assessed by our independent Research Review Committee. We aim to make the first awards towards the end of 2023.

We have also been planning for our new Catalyst Awards, designed to encourage researchers to explore forward-looking ideas and build the proof-of-principle evidence they need to attract further investment. In other words, these awards will ‘catalyse’ new and innovative MND research. You can find more details on the awards below - we look forward to receiving your applications.

For researchers: Further information about our Autumn 2023 Catalyst Awards

Scope of award

We will support projects that aim to gather proof-of-principle data for innovative new approaches and enable researchers to bring early-stage promising ideas to life. Successful projects will generate preliminary data that will unlock further investment opportunities.

Projects should have the ultimate aim of slowing, stopping, or reversing the progression of MND. We will also consider projects aimed at developing treatments to better manage the symptoms of MND, where they could transform the lives of people living with the disease.

All Catalyst Awards must align to one or more of our strategic priorities. Examples of the type of research that would fall into these categories are listed below but please note, this list is not exhaustive.

• Validate therapeutic targets
  • Identification of novel targets that could be investigated for MND, correlation of target to disease state, demonstration of effective disease rescue, confirmation of therapeutic tractability. Please note, projects with high translational potential will be prioritised.
• Accelerate new treatments
  • Drug development and pre-clinical studies including PK, PD, target engagement, ADME and toxicology analysis in relevant models.
• Improve translation
  • Innovative ideas to improve the translation of new treatments from lab to clinic, including but not limited to: investigation into novel patient stratification approaches, identification and characterisation of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis or monitoring of MND, research to enable earlier detection of MND such as identification of high-risk groups or screening tools.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal aligns to one (or more) of our strategic priorities, and have a clear plan for follow-on funding if their project is successful.

Eligibility and funding

Lead applicants must be based in a UK academic institution. Collaborators can be based anywhere in the world. Catalyst Awards are a maximum of £100k for up to 1 year. 

Application process and key dates

All applications are to be made using our online grant management system, Flexi-Grant. The application form will be available from Friday 1st September and applications must be submitted by midday on Friday 24th November. We anticipate making awards in January 2024.

Further details about the Catalyst Awards and the review process can be found on our Funding Opportunities page.

Hear about future funding opportunities

If you would like to hear about future funding opportunities, you can sign up by entering your details at the bottom of our Funding Opportunities page. Please note, this mailing list is intended for researchers only.