FightMND to invest $18.89M in the fight against MND in 2024
FightMND is investing a further $18.89 million into motor neurone disease (MND) research and care initiatives.
Founded in 2014 by Neale Daniher AO, Dr. Ian Davis OAM and Pat Cunningham, FightMND was established to raise awareness and vital funds for MND research. Over the past decade, it has grown into one of the world’s largest independent funders of MND research.
As we mark 10 years of FightMND, this year’s funding brings the total investment into MND research to an incredible $115.78 million!
This year’s projects continue to build on the incredible work done in the MND research space so far. Each one aims to improve the lives of people living with MND and their families. Our 2024 Cure and Care Investment booklet has more information about all the projects receiving funding this year.
Cure investment
We’re committing more than $15.44 million of this year’s investment to MND Cure research. This funding will support 25 projects, and five career development awards. Selected through our competitive grant round, these projects include:
- 4 drug development projects to advance promising new drugs or therapies
- 7 discovery projects addressing key unknowns in MND research, particularly its causes and progression
- 11 Improving and Accelerating Translation (IMPACT) projects focusing on overcoming challenges in MND drug development and clinical trials
- 2 infrastructure projects to advance MND research infrastructure
- 1 Massey Charitable Trust grant
- 1 mid-career research fellowship to support mid-career researchers focusing on MND
- 4 early career research fellowships to support early career researchers focusing on MND.
Since 2014, we’ve invested more than $100.67 million into Cure projects. This investment has transformed Australia’s MND research landscape. Today, Australia stands as a central hub for MND research, with our dedicated researchers playing a crucial role in the global effort. We now understand some of the genetic mutations and biological events that may cause MND. Moreover, Australians living with MND have more opportunities to participate in research and clinical trials than ever before.
Care investment
In addition to our support of Cure research, we also work to support Australia’s MND community through our investment in Care initiatives. In 2024, we’re investing $3.45 million into 10 MND Care support projects for Australian’s living with and affected by MND.
Our investment into Care initiatives started in 2017, with Care research investment starting in 2022. Since then, more than $15.11 million has been invested into this area.
This investment focuses on three key priorities, which were developed in consultation with Australia’s MND community.
- Evidence: funding care-focused research to inform the best practices for supporting people with MND, their carers and families.
- Standards: investing in the creation of national standards and guidelines for MND care.
- Support: providing targeted support through organisations delivering MND care and services.
It is important to note that FightMND is not a care service provider. This is the role of MND Australia, the state MND associations, MND&Me and other organisations serving the MND community. Our investment works to complement the existing work of these groups and Australia’s front line MND Care providers.
This investment aims to improve the lives of Australians living with MND, their families and the people caring for them.
It takes people. Thank you!
FightMND would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Federal and Victorian Governments, and our major partners Coles, Bunnings, the AFL, Seven Network, Herald Sun and Chemist Warehouse.
But our biggest thanks goes to you! Our amazing donors, Beanie buyers, community fundraisers and volunteers. Your generosity ensures we can invest in research and care initiatives for those living with MND and their families. This investment brings us closer to finding effective treatments, and one day a cure for this insidious disease.
In the coming weeks we’ll be sharing with you some of the projects to receive funding during the 2024 grant round. Stay tuned!