The MPS Society has been funding cutting-edge research into MPS, Fabry and related diseases since its inception in 1982.
To this day, the MPS Society has spent over £12 million on research projects into these conditions, to find better treatments and care. Scientific breakthroughs and new technologies offer hope for diagnoses and treatments for those affected that was unimaginable a few years ago.
The sooner we can accelerate our research and take advantage of these opportunities, the quicker we can help even more people affected by MPS, Fabry or a related lysosomal disease.
2025 Research grant applications
Applications for research grants are now open.
The MPS Society is open to applications for grants for scientific or clinical research into LSD or related conditions from Monday 27 January 2025. The deadline for applications is 14 April 2025.
MPS Matters 2025 research opportunities
Calling all professionals to take advantage of our funding opportunities for research at MPS Matters 2025 this June in form of a ‘Dragon's Den’-style pitch session and poster presentations.
Application FAQs
Applications for research grants are now open until Monday 14 April 2025 and will be reviewed at one of the CSAC meetings throughout the year. Download and complete our grant application form now or contact CSAC.
Following submission, grant applications will be reviewed internally by members of the MPS Society’s Clinical and Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). This committee includes trustees with a medical or scientific background, non-medical trustees and members of the MPS Society’s Support and Advocacy senior team. A shortlist of applications will then be sent for external peer review, by a panel of relevant medical experts. It should be noted these may include international experts.
We are committed to transparency and open access and applications will be sent out for peer-review. If you have any questions, contact us.
All applicants, successful or otherwise, will receive anonymised feedback from the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Committee and where available the peer review panel.
View our detailed Terms and Conditions of Medical Research Grants
Research grant payments will be made upon receiving an invoice in accordance with the grant agreement.
A final report must be submitted within two months of the end of the research grant and include:
A summary of the results of the research project
Indication of whether goals were met
If applicable suggestions for further research efforts needed in the field
A summary statement in lay language of the results of the research which will be communicated via emails and social media.
If the results are published in any scientific journals, provision of a copy of the article(s) is required.
The MPS Society requests that all acknowledgements include the following: ‘This work was supported by a research grant from the Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases (MPS Society) www.mpssociety.org.uk’
When you submit the application you will need to include:
CV of lead investigator
Detailed budget
​We are committed to transparency and open access and applications will be sent out for peer-review. We would encourage all applicants, potential applicants or people with an interest to help us support impactful research by joining our peer review panel, if you are willing to spare a couple of hours reviewing an application please contact the peer review coordinator.
Clinical Scientific Advisory Board (CSAC)
Our Clinical Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC) consists of members of our Board of Trustees and the Society’s Patient Advocacy team. These members come from medical, healthcare or research backgrounds from a broad range of disciplines and perspectives who will consider research applications each year.
All proposals will be subject to a review process to ensure they meet our high standard of quality. The committee will make an informed recommendation to our Board of Trustees who hold the final decision on how we allocate research funds.Â
Applications for grants will be assessed on:
The importance or burden of the health or care problem being studied
What the proposed research adds to the existing body of knowledge
The improvements in health and care this research is likely to lead to
The potential impact of the research on patients, the public and people working in health and care
Whether the cost of the research is reasonable and commensurate with the work involved
The likelihood that the research design is feasible and deliverable and answers the proposed question
​We will consider applications across the breadth of metabolic medicine, but of course, will focus on MPS and related disorders.
​Conflicts of interest
Both the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Committee and any external reviewers are asked to declare any conflicts of interest. Those with conflicts are not permitted to discuss or provide comment on those applications.
Relevant research
Rare Disease Research Partners
RDRP support research and access to treatment for people living with rare conditions.Â
Resources
CSAC open day 2024
Fiona, Chair of CSAC, presents a collection of talks from researchers who have received funding from the Committee. This is possible thanks to the fundraising and donations of our supporters and the profits from RDRP each year to the MPS Society.
History of research
The MPS Society has funded research into treatments, and one day a cure, for MPS and related diseases since 1982. Take a look back at those many and varied research projects that have been funded thanks to the support of our fundraisers and donors.
CSAC open day webinar - 10 October 2023
CSAC webinar chaired Dr Fiona Stewart explains how CSAC play an integral role in helping our rare disease community.
Research updates
Blog
CSAC Update | January 2025
Dr Fiona Stewart looks back at a busy second half of 2024 and recalls how CSAC was able to support important future research and make meaningful connections.
