Launchpad Grants in Children & Young People's Movement and Balance disorders

We are inviting applications for our Children and Young People’s Movement and Balance Disorders Award.

This scheme is designed to support research that will increase understanding of movement and balance disorders in children and young people, improve diagnosis, and develop better treatments and interventions. For the purposes of this funding scheme, the term ‘children and young people’ (CYP) refers to anyone below the age of 25.

Movement and balance disorders involve issues with coordination, stability, and involuntary motions - such as essential tremor, cerebral palsy, tic disorders, ataxia, and dystonia. There are a range of factors that can lead to these disorders, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly for those affecting CYP.

Treatment options for CYP are therefore often inadequate, and in many cases, not targeted to the specific cause underlying the disorder.

To address this issue, we are inviting applicants to support research that will strengthen understanding of movement and balance disorders, and improve the diagnosis, treatment and interventions in CYP. We will consider all relevant research areas. Winning applicants can use the funding to carry out pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for future funding opportunities.

We are particularly encouraging research proposals that include the following themes:

• Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the causes of movement disorders
• Further understanding of mechanisms of action of any available therapies
• Development of treatments and interventions, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions (such as orthotics, splints, physiotherapy, speech and language therapies)
• Mental health impacts of movement and balance disorders in children and young people

At the Foundation, we recognises the key role Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) play in the treatment and management of movement and balance disorders, and therefore applications from AHPs, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists are strongly encouraged. Collaborative proposals that bring together clinical and non-clinical researchers are also strongly encouraged.

Research into epilepsy or movement disorders with a well-defined genetic basis will not be considered within the scope of this funding scheme if it is the core focus of the proposal. Due the size of the budget of this scheme, imaging studies should not be the sole focus of research proposals.

We welcome applications from researchers at all levels of seniority - these will be assessed relevant to the applicant’s career stage, with no preference shown for any particular career stage.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may apply for up to £100,000 over a maximum of a 2-year period (pro-rata for part-time positions). There will be at least £500,000 available in this competition.

Who can apply?

This competition is open to all UK-based researchers and clinical academics at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Partnerships outside of academia are allowed, providing the collaboration will advance the research project in line with the aims of the funding call. Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties, including Allied Health Professionals, are encouraged to apply.

This competition is for researchers of all career stages.

• Early-career researchers are those immediately post-doctorate, or with some postdoctoral experience, but have not begun to transition to research independence or lead their own team,
  
  
• Mid-career researchers are those with more extensive postdoctoral experience and in the process of, or ready for, transition to research independence,
  
  
• Established researchers will have already secured substantial research funds and/or have already established their own research group (e.g. Senior Lecturers, Professors, MRC and other funders’ Senior Fellows).

Applicants will be assessed according to their career stage.

Timeline

- Deadline for submission: 12:00 Friday 27 March 2026

- Shortlisting notification: June 2026

- Rebuttal Process: June 2026

- Funding decision and feedback: July 2026

How to Apply

Applicants should apply online using our online grants management system.

Please see here for Guidance for Applicants.

If invited to submit a full application, applicants will be required to submit a Résumé for Researchers CV.

Queries

Any queries on the competition, the application process or eligibility should be sent to research@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk, or you can alternatively contact the Research Team by phone on +44 20 4581 2403.

Terms and Conditions of Award

Awards funded through this competition will follow standard Medical Research Foundation terms and conditions. The terms and conditions spell out the responsibilities of the Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation. The Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation are required to indicate their formal acceptance of the proposal, their acceptance of the terms and conditions of an award, and the approval of the salaries and resources sought in the application.

The Medical Research Foundation may add additional conditions to a grant award to reflect the particular circumstances and requirements of the funding, or the nature of a particular award. Acceptance of an award constitutes acceptance of both the core conditions and any additional conditions. The Medical Research Foundation reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions.