Our research strategy

At MS Trust, we're driven by a belief that the way things are isn't the way they have to be. Our research programme exists to bring together real-world experience and the voices of people living with MS so that care feels more joined up, more equitable, and more empowering for everyone.

We focus on clinician led, practice-based studies that strengthen MS services and tackle the inequalities that shape people's experiences of diagnosis, treatment, and support. Every project we fund is rooted in what matters most to people with MS today, and what will help them feel more in control tomorrow.

Our aim is to make research accessible to people with MS, health and social care professionals, and researchers, including communities that have historically been underrepresented in MS research. 

Our research remit is deliberately focused, practical, and designed to complement the work of other major UK funders. We invest in studies that can make a meaningful difference to MS care right now.

We fund:

• Real‑world evidence projects
• Lived experience studies
• Co‑produced research with people with MS
• Studies addressing inequalities in MS care  
• Research led by clinicians and MS teams
• Service evaluations and improvements 

We do NOT fund:

• Laboratory or biomedical research
• Drug discovery or preclinical science
• Basic neuroscience
• Large randomised controlled trials

In summary, across all research activity, MS Trust commits to:

• Inclusive, accessible communication
• Collaboration without duplication
• Research that improves everyday MS care

We fund and support practice‑based research that makes a real difference today and in the future.