Applying for a grant

Application procedure

The 2012 grant round is now closed. if you would like to be added to our mailing list to be notified when the next round opens, please email us at research@muscular-dystrophy.org

Guidance For Applicants

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. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is currently only funding UK-based research.

In 2010, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign implemented lay involvement in our grant round as part of our Public and Patient Involvement program. All applicants are required to fill in a lay application form in addition to the traditional scientific form. This will form an important part of the application process since feedback from our lay research panel will be presented at the grants meeting as part of the selection process. Applicants will be given guidance with this form.

The Medical Research Committee will sit in early summer. Their recommendations are then discussed by the charity’s National Council, who meet several times per year. You will be informed of the decision as soon as possible after the National Council meeting.

The following points should be considered when submitting your 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 research strategy.
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 related neuromuscular conditions. Read a full listing of these conditions. 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.

If you are unsure whether your research fits within our strategy, please contact us on