The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has funded medical research into multiple sclerosis since the first grant of $10,000 was approved in 1949. It is now, along with its related MS Scientific Research Foundation, the single largest funder of MS research in Canada. Of the research projects currently funded, about half are targeted at myelin biology and repair. Particular attention is focussed on finding ways to stimulate central nervous system cells to produce new myelin. Other significant areas of MS research are genetic susceptibility, immunology, MRI studies, Clinical and Population Health Research and treatment effects. The MS Society also funds young researchers just beginning careers at the masters, doctoral and postdoctoral levels.

Application Process and Deadlines

Application forms are available online. Please see the Research Funding Application Process.

• Biomedical Research Grants, Career Development Awards, Postdoctoral Fellowships and Studentships - October 1^st

• Clinical and Population Health Research Grants, Career Development Awards, Postdoctoral Fellowships and Studentships - October 1^st

Detailed information about the application process.

In addition, the MS Scientific Research Foundation funds extensive studies of bone marrow transplantation, myelin gene regulation, genetic susceptibility to MS, and myelin repair. It also funds Research Grants. The Foundation is related to the MS Society, its primary funding source.

• Pilot Grants - applications can be submitted at any time but will only be reviewed between April 1^st and August 1^st (These grants are limited to one year and funded to a maximum of $35,000).

• Collaborative Multi-Centre Grants - Letters of intent due April 1^st. To be considered for this grant first submit a letter of intent. Read MSSRF MULTI-CENTRE, COLLABORATIVE MS RESEARCH AWARD PROGRAM GUIDELINES.

Three volunteer scientific committees oversee the MS Society of Canada research program. The Medical Advisory Committee provides expert advice about the existing program, looks at future directions in MS research, recommends ways that the Society can meet research needs and oversees the grant review process. It makes the final recommendation on projects to be funded to the National Executive Committee of the MS Society of Canada National Board of Directors.

The Biomedical Research Review Committee is responsible for reviewing all grant applications involving research seeking to find ways to prevent, develop treatments and ultimately cure multiple sclerosis. Areas of research include myelin repair and regrowth, the immune system and advanced uses of MRI. The committee meets in late January and reviews each application with the assistance of both internal and external expert peer reviewers. Their recommendations go to the Medical Advisory Committee for overall review.

The Clinical and Population Health Research Review Committee reviews grant applications related to broader health issues that impact people living with MS. By researching psychosocial and behavioural aspects of the disease, investigators gain information that can help people live well with MS. Overall determinants of health and economics are also studied. In late January, the committee carefully reviews each application with the help of internal and external expert peer reviewers. Their recommendations go to the Medical Advisory Committee for overall review.

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Research Funding Application Process

Application forms are available online.

Applications for grants must be submitted by October 1^st of each year to:

Chair, Medical Advisory Committee
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
175 Bloor St. E, Suite 700, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 3R8

Should October 1^st fall on a weekend, applications would be due the following Monday. Research grants commence April 1^st of the following year; personnel support grants July 1^st of the following year. Applicants must specify whether they are applying for biomedical or Clinical and Population Health Research funding.

Applications are peer reviewed by either the Biomedical Research Committee or the Clinical and Population Health Research Committee and applicants are informed of the results of the peer review process when the recommendations are approved by the National Executive Committee of the MS Society of Canada. These results will be made available by mid-March of the granting year.

The Society follows the general regulations, terms and conditions as set out by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in their grants and awards guide in the sections covering eligibility for grants, purpose, ethical consideration and research involving biohazards. The Society attaches great importance to the ethical acceptability of experiments involving human subjects and provides a form, which must be completed and submitted with the application for a clinical study. The Society does not have a separate equipment grant but does offer the opportunity to apply for funding of items of generally less than $5,000 in the Research Grant application.

The onus for showing the relevance of the proposed research to multiple sclerosis rests with the applicant.

Termination grants of one year may be awarded to researchers having had at least two consecutive two-year grants from the Society at the discretion of the Medical Advisory Committee and the Society.

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Medical Advisory Committee

Chair

• Dr. V. Wee Yong, University of Calgary

Members

• Dr. Jack Antel, Montreal Neurological Institute
• Dr. Joan Boggs, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto
• Dr. Mark S. Freedman, Ottawa Hospital
• Dr. William J. McIlroy, National Medical Advisor, MS Society of Canada
• Dr. Paul O’Connor, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
• Dr. Trevor Owens, University of Southern Denmark
• Dr. Alan C. Peterson, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal
• Dr. William E. Pryse-Phillips, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s
• Dr. John Richert, Liaison, National MS Society, New York
• Dr. A. Dessa Sadovnick, University of British Columbia
• Dr. Brian Weinshenker, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota
  

Chair

• Dr. Rashmi Kothary, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Members

• Dr. Guillermina Almazan, McGill University, Montreal
• Dr. Vanessa Auld, University of British Columbia
• Dr. Brenda Banwell, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
• Dr. Paula Foster, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario
• Dr. Jennifer Gommerman, University of Toronto
• Dr. Marc Horwitz, University of British Columbia
• Dr. Steve Lacroix, Laval University
• Dr. Ross Mitchell, University of Calgary
• Dr. William J. McIlroy, National Medical Advisor, MS Society of Canada
• Dr. Alexandre Prat, University of Montreal
• Dr. John Richert, Liaison, National MS Society, New York
• Dr. Valerie Wallace, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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• Dr. Christina Wolfson, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal

• Dr. Pierre Duquette, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal
• Dr. Anthony Feinstein, Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto
• Dr. Luanne Metz, Foothills Hospital, Calgary

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