Launching our multimillion-pound Discovery Network to accelerate the search for effective MND treatments

The Discovery Network, which opened for its first round of applications one year ago, will focus on identifying therapeutic targets and disease mechanisms for MND. A year on, we are excited to share details of the structure of the Network and its first awardees.

The Discovery Network’s blueprint, based on principles of ‘open science’ and collaboration, was inspired by the Michael J. Fox Foundation's success in accelerating Parkinson’s research through the ASAP initiative, and similar approaches in bipolar disorder with BD2. We are the first to apply this model to MND research in the UK, ensuring findings are shared rapidly and openly among researchers worldwide. By removing competitive barriers between research teams, this programme aims to accelerate breakthroughs that could ultimately lead to effective treatments.

The Foundation’s record-breaking investment includes £1 million grants for four multi-institutional teams of researchers, led from the University of Oxford, King’s College London, University College London, and the University of Edinburgh. Each project underwent a rigorous selection process to ensure funding is channelled into the most promising and ambitious research. We will share stories about our teams and partners as the work progresses, and project summaries are now available to view here.

Dr Martina Hallegger, leading the University of Oxford project, said: “The Discovery Network funding is a game-changer for MND research, enabling us to strengthen collaborations and establish new ones within an open science framework.

“By working closely with teams across the UK and internationally, we can align methodologies, share expertise, and accelerate progress in understanding this devastating disease. This commitment to collaboration ensures that discoveries are more accessible, comparable, and impactful for the entire MND research community.”

Dr Anna Motyl, our Research Programme Manager who is leading on the Discovery Network, said: "This network is about thinking differently and acting faster. By making research findings openly available and providing substantial funding to teams spanning multiple institutions and fields of expertise, we’re helping scientists build on each other’s work rather than duplicating efforts. We’ve seen this approach drive breakthroughs in conditions such as Parkinson’s and bipolar disorder - now, it’s time to bring that momentum to MND."

Dr Jennie Starkey, who was diagnosed with MND in 2021, has joined the Discovery Network Advisory Board as a patient representative, helping to shape research funding decisions and bridge the gap between researchers and those living with MND. She believes the Foundation is ‘shaking things up’ in MND research, just as Doddie did when he asked why, after decades, no cure had been found.

Jennie’s journey with MND began during lockdown when she noticed her speech was slurred while recording online lectures. Her story is a testament to the power of community, research, and resilience – values at the heart of our mission to drive progress towards a cure.

Two additional projects are expected to join the Discovery Network next year, with applications for funding now open. For more information on the Discovery Network and current funding opportunities, click here.