MRFF – CTAI and EPCDRI 2022 Multiple Sclerosis Research Grant Opportunity

Overview

The objectives of the MRFF 2022 Multiple Sclerosis Research grant opportunity are to support medical research and medical innovation projects that: Stream 1: promote Australian involvement in international collaborative investigator-initiated clinical trials testing the effectiveness of vaccines for prevention of latent Epstein-Barr virus infection through the establishment and coordination of clinical trials site/s in Australia Stream 2: clinical trials to accelerate the development or repurposing of therapeutic candidates (including antivirals) to treat Epstein-Barr virus for the purpose of preventing or treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis Stream 3: characterise how immune responses to viral infections trigger autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis in some individuals to generate knowledge that supports risk stratification so identified individuals can employ strategies to reduce their chance of developing autoimmune disease Stream 4: develop, implement and/or validate approaches for early intervention in individuals recovering from viral infections that aim to reduce the risk and/or severity of the long-term autoimmune consequences, including multiple sclerosis. The intended outcome of the research funded by this grant opportunity is outlined in section 1.3 of the grant guidelines. For this grant opportunity, up to $18.0 million of funding is available over 4 years from 2022-23 for the four Streams of research as outlined in section 1.3. Applicants to this grant opportunity must propose research that addresses one of the four Streams of research. An application may only be submitted to one of the above four Streams only. Applicants must specify the Stream to which they are applying in their application. This grant opportunity is being administered by NHMRC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health. Further information on the Medical Research Future Fund is available from the Department of Health website.