Research We Fund

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is bringing the world together to cure MS for every single person — as fast as possible. The Pathways to Cures Roadmap will drive progress by increasing alignment and focus of global resources on high-priority research questions.
Our research awards align with the three Pathways outlined in the Roadmap:

• Read more about our funded research on STOPPING MS
• Read more about our funded research on RESTORING function
• Read more about our funded research on ENDING MS by prevention

Explore Pathways to MS Cure

• Recruited and provided training to more than1,000 new MS researchers to the field
• Provided early career support and funding to many thought leaders in MS research
• Set standards in diagnosis, symptom management, pediatric MS, complementary and alternative medicine, rehabilitation and wellness research, clinical trial strategies and stem cell research
• By targeting highly promising areas of research – such as gender differences – we expedited progress in these areas, setting the stage for clinical trials
• Helped launch the MS field of nerve and myelin repair which resulted in trials of repair strategies to restore function for people living with MS
• Drove research uncovering genes that contribute to MS susceptibility and new treatment avenues, and funded pivotal findings on the role of EBV and other viral triggers of MS
• Paved the way for the development of disease-modifying therapies for MS and launched a unique  commercial research funding program to support the creation of new treatment strategies

The Society cultivates global collaboration in pursuit of cures.

• We fostered the creation of the International Progressive MS Alliance, an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organizations, researchers, health professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, companies, trusts, foundations, donors and people affected by progressive MS — working together to address the unmet needs of people with progressive MS.
• We led the MS Outcome Assessments Consortium -- working toward creating robust clinical outcome measures to improve and speed MS clinical trials of new therapies.
• Our funding supported the International MS Genetics Consortium in completing the largest MS genetics study to date.
• We provided seed funding to create the International MS Microbiome Consortium to understand how gut bacteria influence MS and seeking probiotic solutions
• With ECTRIMS, the Society supports the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS, which provides guidance on planning clinical trials for new agents for the treatment of MS, improving diagnosis and other critical issues

Summaries of Newly Funded Research Projects November 2023 (.pdf)​
Summaries of Newly Funded Research Projects June 2023 (.pdf)​
Summaries of Newly Funded Research Projects January 2023 (.pdf)​
All research projects supported by the National MS Society (listed by location) (.pdf)
All research projects supported by the National MS Society (listed by topic) (.pdf)