Funding for MND research

The Scottish Government is partnering with MND Scotland to fund a £240,000 Clinical Academic Fellowship in motor neurone disease (MND) research.

This is the second fellowship of its kind and will be open to individuals training in, or seeking to train in, all disciplines of medicine.

The funding will support a research-led clinical academic who will go on to lead the development of research into motor neurone disease.

Since 2015, the Scottish Government has committed more than £750,000 for research into motor neurone disease.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“This latest partnership between the Scottish Government and MND Scotland is another step forward in working towards beating this terrible disease, and I’m pleased to announce this funding at the beginning to Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Week.

“We are doing all we can to improve research into motor neurone disease, and this builds on previous investments including our first Clinical Academic Fellowship, which is due to complete this year. In addition to this, we will fund two new recipients of the Gordon Aikman Scholarship again this year.”

Craig Stockton, CEO of MND Scotland, said:

“We are pleased to announce this funding into another MND Clinical Fellowship. MND Scotland is committed to finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, and by investing more into research, and with the help of partners like the Scottish Government, we will get there sooner.

“With the reopening of applications for the Gordon Aikman Scholarship, we are also working hard to improve the quality of life of those with MND and ensure they receive the best care possible.

“This MND Awareness Week, MND Scotland is raising awareness of the illness and the devastating impact it has on families across the country.  To get involved please visit mndscotland.org.uk/MNDaware.”  

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 20 months.

On average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year in Scotland, 53% die within one year of diagnosis and 6.5% live for more than 5 years after diagnosis. There are over 450 people in Scotland currently living with MND.

The Scottish Government’s Office of the Chief Scientist will run the application and interview process. The call will open on June 29, with details at: http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/

The call for applications to the Gordon Aikman Scholarship will open on June 21, see: www.nmahp-ru.ac.uk.