National MS Society: Research Grants

National MS Society: Research Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Last Updated: December 13, 2025

Summary

The National MS Society offers annual Research Grants for investigator-initiated proposals addressing key research questions from the Pathways to MS Cures Roadmap. These grants support diverse studies, including clinical and nonclinical research aimed at stopping MS disease activity, restoring function, and preventing new cases. Eligible applicants must hold an M.D. or Ph.D. and demonstrate relevance to the Society's research priorities. This funding opportunity promotes collaboration and focuses on underserved MS populations.

Overview

Research Grants The Society is pleased to offer a funding opportunity each year for investigator-initiated proposals to support research focused on addressing research questions highlighted in the Pathways to MS Cures Roadmap. The Roadmap includes three Pathways: STOPPING MS disease activity, RESTORING function by reversing damage and symptoms, and ENDING MS by preventing new cases. Applicants must clearly state the relevance of their proposals to at least one of the research questions outlined in the Roadmap. The Society supports fundamental as well as applied studies, nonclinical or clinical in nature, including projects in patient management, care and rehabilitation. We value studies aligned with our Research Funding Principles and Priorities that: promote synergies between researchers in diverse disciplines;adhere to principles of sharing data and resources;focus on underserved and understudied ethnic and racial MS populations (Please consult these resources for strategies regarding Minority Engagement in MS Research).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants should possess an M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent and be considered eligible by their institution to apply for grant support.To be considered for funding, all projects must show relevance to the Society’s research priorities.Principal Investigator: It is expected that the person indicated as the principal investigator in an application for a grant is the one who is personally and actively responsible for the conduct of the research and who is considered eligible by his or her institution to apply for a research grant. The principal investigator must hold an M.D., Ph.D. or the equivalent at the time of submission. The principal investigator need not be a United States citizen.Institution: Institutions, except in unusual circumstances, are the official recipients of grants made for the support of specific research by the principal investigator.The recipient institution may be in any country permitted under United States policies and must be a non-profit organization. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for research funding from local sources.

Ineligibility

Postdoctoral fellows, residents, and other trainees are not eligible to apply to the research grants program; fellows are encouraged to apply for one of the Society’s research training programs.