National Multiple Sclerosis Society

About National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s recent grantmaking centers on research, with multimillion-dollar awards flowing to universities, hospitals, and research institutes across the country. Among the largest recent grants are $2,101,846 to University of California San Francisco, $1,761,092 to Columbia University, and $1,727,835 to Johns Hopkins University, all marked for research. That pattern points to a funder that backs scientific work on multiple sclerosis through large institutional grants rather than individual awards. The Society’s portfolio also shows support for research capacity and career development. Current funding streams include requests for applications for targeted MS research topics, fellowships for physician-scientists, postdoctoral rehabilitation awards, and early-career researcher awards such as the Harry Weaver Scholar program. Its stated purpose is to mobilize people and resources to drive research, provide programs and services, and advocate for people affected by multiple sclerosis. Recent recipients include major academic medical centers such as Brigham & Women's Hospital, Yale University, Stanford University, and Weill Cornell Medical College. Together, these grants show a funder working through established research institutions to advance MS science and related training pathways.

What National Multiple Sclerosis Society Funds

Multiple sclerosis research is the clearest theme in the Society’s grantmaking. It gave $1,361,092 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for research and $767,750 to University of Colorado Denver for research, alongside other institutional awards in the same category. The funding reaches both basic and translational work, with dedicated research opportunities listed for MS cures, clinical research, and basic science. Training and career development are another thread. The Society awards Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowships for physician-scientists pursuing MS research training, and it offers postdoctoral fellowships and mentor-based postdoctoral rehabilitation awards for rehabilitation-focused work. Its Harry Weaver Scholar Award supports early-career MS investigators. The organization also funds programmatic research infrastructure through targeted RFAs, which are tied to specific topics or initiatives. That structure suggests a mix of open research support and mission-directed calls for work in priority areas.

How National Multiple Sclerosis Society Gives