Government continues delivering on £50 million funding pledge for motor neurone disease research

Around three-quarters of the £50 million funding pledged towards cutting edge research into motor neurone disease (MND) has now been handed out to projects across the UK, the government has announced today (Wednesday 21 June).

On Global MND Awareness Day, Science Secretary Chloe Smith and Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay have confirmed a total of £36.5 million has now been allocated, just two years into a five year commitment to supporting MND research with at least £50 million of public backing.

The funding that has now been awarded is supporting cutting-edge research that it is hoped will enable faster progress towards treatments for this debilitating condition. The newly-allocated funding consists of just under £7 million in grants through the Medical Research Council (MRC) to researchers.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Chloe Smith said:

Motor neurone disease is a cruel and devastating condition. We are unrelenting in our commitment to supporting both the people living with this condition, and the brilliant minds across Britain who are working in the hope it can become treatable - and one day even curable.

Last year we cut unnecessary red tape, enabling us to deliver funding for this crucial work even more quickly. Today, we are redoubling efforts by providing further support for the world-leading scientists and researchers who are taking the fight to MND.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Motor neurone disease has a devastating impact on people’s lives, and I continue to work with leading scientists to cut red tape and accelerate research.