Research is our only path to discovering new treatments and a cure to defeat the Beast that is motor neurone disease (MND).
Cure investment
Motor neurone disease is complex, with various forms and unknown causes, making it unlikely that a single treatment will work for everyone. Funding this research increases our chances of breakthroughs, but it is a lengthy and costly process.
Our commitment to finding a cure is built on four key pillars:
- Funding world class research: We invest in top-tier research through a rigorous and competitive grants program aligning with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants process.
- Capacity building: We enhance the capacity and capability of the MND research workforce through scholarships and fellowships.
- Infrastructure: We make targeted investments in critical infrastructure that supports MND research in Australia.
- Knowledge exchange: We facilitate the sharing of knowledge across the national and international MND community.
These investments ensure that MND research in Australia remains competitive and world-leading, driving us closer to better treatments and a cure for MND
Meet our researchers
Xiaoyi Liu
Xiaoyi Liu is a PhD candidate at WEHI, supervised by Professor Melanie Bahlo and Dr Zac Gerring. In 2025, she was awarded the Angie Cunningham Biomedical PhD Scholarship, supporting early-career researchers pursuing high-impact projects aimed at understanding, treating, and ultimately curing MND.
Xiaoyi’s research focuses on why some people with a high genetic risk for MND remain symptom-free while others develop the disease. By analysing genetic and molecular data, she aims to uncover protective factors and identify new treatment targets that could delay or prevent MND.
Driven by the potential of genetics to unlock new treatments, Xiaoyi’s work exemplifies the bold, innovative research the scholarship was created to support.
Our Cure research impact
Since 2014, FightMND has helped transform Australia into a central hub for MND research. Together with our supporters, we’ve helped drive discovery, back innovation and provide those affected by MND more opportunities to participate in research or clinical trials across Australia.
Thanks to the support of the Australian community:
- More than 700 Australians have had access to clinical trials supported by FightMND.
- Seventeen clinical trials have been funded at sites across Australia.
- Thirty-seven drug development projects are helping to move potential treatments through the pipeline, with six drugs progressing from the lab into clinical trial.
- Twenty-nine researchers have received scholarships and fellowships to continue advancing MND research.
From clinical trials to care research, every project we fund brings us closer to more effective treatments and, ultimately, a future free from MND.
The fight is not over
We are so proud of all we have achieved together, but there’s more to do. For 10 years our supporters’ funding has helped build a solid research foundation.
We need your continued support to help:
- find an effective treatment or cure for MND
- improve the quality, accessibility and consistency of care for people impacted by MND
- boost awareness of MND.
Your continued support helps us to continue accelerating progress towards finally beating the Beast that is MND.