Applying for a grant

Application procedure

Unfortunately the 2008 grant round is now closed. if you wish to apply for a project grant or studentship for 2009, the deadline for proposals will be in late September 2008. If you wish to be included on our e-mailing list to let you know when the next grant round opens, please send an email to research@muscular-dystrophy.org.

There is one PhD Studentship available in the 2009 Grant Round. Muscular Dystrophy Campaign will cover the fees, stipend (at MRC rates) and consumables for a student for 4 years, to start up to October 2010. Principal Investigators interested in the studentship should submit an initial proposal as per the guidelines below and mark it as “Studentship”.

The initial proposal should be no longer than two sides of A4 in length. Any material over this length will not be considered as part of your application. Your proposal must include the following information:


  • Name and contact details of Principal Investigator
  • Title of proposed project
  • A brief introduction to the proposed research including some background
  • A paragraph explaining how this proposed research fits with the charity’s research strategy
  • A rough estimate of the proposed project costs


If you wish to apply for a Muscular Dystrophy Campaign research grant please be aware that the Principal Investigator must hold a contract, which extends beyond the duration of the grant, at an Institution approved by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

If the research outlined in the proposal is deemed to fall within the funding remit of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, then a full electronic application will be sent to you. The application has to be submitted to the Research Department by mid January along with two signed copies of the form and an overview of the project.

The Medical Research Committee sits in late spring annually and, following their meeting, the recommendations they have made will be discussed by National Council, who meet several times per year. You will be informed of the decision as soon as possible after the National Council meeting.

If you require more information about our funding remit, you can read our research strategy. The following points, however, should be considered when submitting both an outline proposal and full application:

  • It is important for applicants to view their research strategically and provide a formal paragraph on how this proposed research fits with the charity’s mission statement.
  • Applicants proposing basic research projects should make clear their clinical links and explain how they envisage that their work will be exploited and translated.
  • Collaborations are favourably viewed, especially between researchers and clinicians, but also with companies.
  • The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign supports research into over 60 different forms of muscular dystrophy and allied disorders. A full listing of these conditions appears here: Neuromuscular conditions covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and applications in any of these areas are welcomed.
  • In the development of diagnostic tools, there must be clear evidence of the exploitation route. It would also be helpful to discuss the possibility of further development with the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) whose aim is to help patients by improving access to uncommon services.
  • Research to develop animal models must demonstrate a clear route to a therapeutic application.
  • The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign will favourably view research that realistically brings us closer to identification of treatments.

The initial proposal should be sent to the research department at research@muscular-dystrophy.org.

If you have any further questions regarding the grants process please contact us at
research@muscular-dystrophy.org


Research Strategy

If you require more information about our funding remit, you can read our research strategy.

Research Strategy