MND Scotland Announces New Ignite Early Career Researcher Competition

On 1 August 2026, MND Scotland will launch the inaugural Ignite Early Career Researcher (ECR) competition. Ignite will offer up to five ECRs the chance to embark on their own, small-scale research project in motor neuron disease (MND), to help spark their careers in the field.

MND Scotland believes developing the careers of ECRs is vital to continue moving MND research forward. That’s why we’re launching our Ignite ECR competition, to support ECRs in leading their own focussed research projects. ECRs are the future of MND research. Our Ignite competition will let them create their own, independent findings, gain experience with research budgeting and help build a solid foundation for their career.

MND Scotland was one of 89 charities to receive a share of an investment made by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support ECRs. Through the Ignite competition, MND Scotland will invest up to £20,000 of these funds to help ECRs at this crucial stage of their career.

Ignite will provide ECRs with the opportunity explore their own theories, produce their own findings and give the initial boost needed to get an idea off the ground. This may be investigating pre-existing data from a new angle, creating a prototype piece of equipment, or interviewing people affected by MND to improve an aspect of MND care.

The competition will be run in two stages:

• Stage 1 will open on 01 August 2026 giving ECRs the chance to submit their project proposal, with up to five ECRs being awarded a £2,000 prize to carry out the research they have outlined.
• Stage 2 of the competition will see the five initial winners submit a report on their project and outline how they would further progress their research. From these reports, one ECR will be awarded an additional £10,000 to carry out the next steps of their research as outlined in their report.

Am I eligible?

• Applicants must be UK based (e.g. studying/working at a UK research institute, within a UK NHS health board, or company)
• Applicants must be an ECR as defined by not holding a PhD at the time of application or being less than ten years post PhD award at the time of application.

When does the competition open?

The competition will open on 01 August 2026 and is available to access via the MND Scotland website. The deadline for Stage 1 applications is 31 October 2026.

How do I apply?

Once the competition is open, you can download the Application Form from the MND Scotland website. Once completed, your application should be submitted via email to: research@mndscotland.org.uk, before 31 October 2026. Applications will undergo independent peer review by both scientific and lived experience experts. The MND Scotland Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) will then review these alongside the applications and decide who will be awarded the £2,000 prizes. Guidance Documents will also be available online once the competition is open.

If you have any questions, you can get in touch by emailing: research@mndscotland.org.uk.