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Catalyst Awards

Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Funding amount: up to £60,000
Project duration: up to 12 months
Opening date: October 2025
Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 10 February 2026
Funding outcome: August 2026

Catalyst Awards are 12 months in duration and have an upper funding limit of £60,000. They can provide support for:

short-term, small-scale pilot or proof-of-concept studies
‘high risk, high reward’ innovative research studies.

All Catalyst Award applications should be hypothesis-driven. Or should clearly outline the research question you’re trying to answer. When designing your Catalyst Award proposal, be realistic about what can be achieved within 12 months. Some studies may not be suitable for a Catalyst Award. But could be submitted as a small Project Award.

We intend for researchers from within and outside the MS field to use these awards to explore innovative ideas in MS research. If merited, your ideas may lead to further support through our larger grant schemes or other funding sources.

Your application should be relevant to MS and fit with our 2025-2029 Research Strategy [PDF, 459kB]. Our Research Strategy was developed with people affected by MS and underpins all aspects of our research programme. It’s important that the research we fund reflects what matters most to people living with MS. And is relevant to their needs and experiences. You're also encouraged to consider our organisational goals when developing your application.

What will we fund?

We’ll consider research budgets including running costs (consumables, animal costs, human tissue costs), equipment, and conferences. You should read our Applicant Guidance document for a full list of eligible costs.

Salary costs for lead applicants, co-applicants and advisers shouldn't be included. But there are some circumstances where we'd consider a proportion of salary for one member of the applicant team. You can find more information about this in the Applicant Guidance.

How do I apply for a Catalyst Award?

You must submit your application through our online grants management system, Symplectic Grant Tracker.

You can find information for completing your online application in our ‘How to complete your application’ document in the sidebar. And in the help sections of the application forms on Grant Tracker.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Although the MS Society UK publishes detailed guidance on specific scheme criteria and review standards within individual calls, the following predictors are consistently important across its funding programmes:

🎯 1. Clear Alignment With MS Society Priorities

Projects must directly address MS-relevant questions — from mechanisms (e.g., myelin repair) to improved treatments, services or quality of life outcomes. Proposals that don’t clearly tie to MS research strategy are unlikely to succeed. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Success Tip: Frame your aims with explicit links to MS pathology, progression, treatment, or lived experience outcomes.

🧪 2. Scientific Rigor & Appropriate Methods

High-quality methodology with justified choices (sample sizes, controls, analytical plan) matters strongly, particularly for data-focused and exploratory awards (like Data Discovery).

Success Tip: Use validated measures, robust statistical plans and, where appropriate, pilot data to demonstrate feasibility.

🚀 3. Innovation & High Impact Potential

Especially for Catalyst Awards, reviewers look for high-risk, high-reward science — novel ideas that could open new avenues or seed larger funded studies. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Success Tip: Highlight how your work could catalyse follow-on funding or substantially shift understanding/treatment.

👩‍🔬 4. Investigator Experience & Capability

For Early Career Fellowships, demonstrating your readiness to lead and sustain a research programme in MS is key.

For data awards, showing competence in data science/analysis increases confidence in delivery.

Success Tip: Include a concise CV with relevant outputs, contributions, and training milestones.

🤝 5. Feasibility & Realistic Aims

Given the competitive and short nature of many MS Society grants, proposals must be well scoped with achievable objectives within the funding period and budget. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Success Tip: Include clear deliverables and a realistic timeline with contingencies.

💡 6. Potential for Added Value & Future Momentum

Reviewers favour projects that can lead to bigger programmes, broader UK research collaboration, or build capacity (especially for ECR schemes). Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Success Tip: In your proposal justify how outputs could lead to larger proposals or wider adoption.

🌍 7. Institutional Support & Resources

Competitive applications come from researchers embedded within UK academic or NHS organisations, with access to necessary infrastructure, ethical oversight and collaborations. research.mssociety.org.uk

Success Tip: Highlight institutional commitments such as access to cohorts, labs, databases, or clinical networks.

🧠 Important Notes

The national grants programme for MS Society UK (for people with MS, e.g., financial help) has been closed permanently; focus on research funding schemes for scientists. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Local MS Society groups may still offer small wellbeing grants for people with MS, but this is distinct from research funding. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Applications are typically managed via the Society’s online grants portal (Symplectic).

📌 Summary: MS Society UK Success Checklist

High-score predictors
✔ Project aligns clearly with MS Society strategy and priorities
✔ Robust, rigorous methodology tailored to scheme
✔ Innovation and strong impact potential
✔ Clear deliverability within time and budget
✔ Suitable investigator profile (track record/trajectory)
✔ Institutional support and feasibility
✔ Pathway to future developments or collaborations

Specialties

Cancer

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Both junior and established researchers are eligible to apply for Catalyst Awards.

You’re expected to have a contract (fixed-term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant. You must be based at a UK university or NHS institution and be the Principal Investigator of the project.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Multiple Sclerosis Society UK

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Carriage House, 8 City North Place, London N4 3FU

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