The Medical Research Foundation has launched a £500,000 funding call to support research that will increase understanding of movement and balance disorders, and improve diagnosis, treatment and interventions in children and young people.

The Launchpad Grants in Children & Young People’s Movement and Balance Disorders offer up to £100,000 over two years for researchers and clinical academics in the UK conducting movement and balance disorder research that will act as a ‘launchpad’ for further research.

Funding can be used to conduct pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for larger funding.

The Medical Research Foundation has launched this grant opportunity to improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms of movement disorders, such as essential tremor, cerebral palsy, tic, ataxia and dystonia.

Treatment options for children and young people are often suboptimal or limited, and in many cases are not targeted to the specific cause underlying the movement disorder. There also remains a significant knowledge gap between the molecular basis and treatment pathways.

Proposals which include research investigating the following themes are particularly encouraged:

• 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.

Application is open to researchers and clinical academics at based at HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations in the UK.

Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Researchers may be at any career stage.

Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties, including Allied Health Professionals, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Applications should be submitted by the deadline on 27 March 2026.

Link: Medical Research Foundation | Launchpad Grants in Children & Young…