Collaboration in MND Research: The Role of the Discovery Network
We have been excited to hear about the fantastic work being undertaken by My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, (one of our major partners, founding member and contributors to the UK MND Research Institute (UKMNDRI) funding and work) with their Discovery Network grants.
The Discovery Network opened for its first round of applications in 2024 and has now allocated £4 million towards exciting and innovative research into therapeutic targets and disease mechanisms for MND. Four multi-institutional teams will receive £1 million each to fund their ambitious research projects, which must have a translational component/application. The second round of funding is now open and the deadline for expression of interest is the 21st May 2025. Researchers can apply on the Foundation’s funding page.
A major tenet of the Discovery Network is its focus on open science and collaboration. The four teams are based in the UK, but have all committed to the open science concepts and to working with the wider network of MND researchers globally to further knowledge, understanding and discovery. Indeed, three of the projects funded have team members working in the USA.
One of our patients and members, Dr Luke Hames-Brown, is on the advisory board for the Discovery Network, and said:
“Groundbreaking and ambitious research with effective and extensive funding, such as that enabled by the Discovery Network can make a huge difference to the landscape of MND research, both in the UK and internationally. Seeing the robust and meticulous process by which the grant applications were assessed has shown me just now serious My Name’5 Doddie Foundation are about making a meaningful and impactful contribution to the fight for effective treatments and a cure for MND.
We applaud My Name’5 Doddie Foundation for the work they are doing to further research, and particularly the development of the Discovery Network, whose aims and objectives align clearly with those of United2EndMND and the UKMNDRI.
Sadly, for many people affected by MND who are involved in the research and fundraising landscape, our efforts are planting trees in a garden we may never see, but exciting and ambitious projects like the Discovery Network, make it far more likely that more of us will survive to see those trees grow to maturity and a cure be found.
We will continue to campaign and push for more targeted funding, stronger foundations in the UK MND research infrastructure, that will attract both investors and industry to our shores, and more effective research until we make that happen.
United2EndMND
We are United2EndMND - Changing the conversation 