{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}} {{multiple issues| {{advert|date=January 2014}} {{More citations needed | date = September 2008 }} {{overly detailed|date=June 2024}} }} {{Disability}} The '''National Multiple Sclerosis Society''' ('''NMSS''') is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1946.<ref name=":1" /> It is dedicated to supporting individuals affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and funding research to find a cure for the disease. It provides resources, support services, advocacy, and educational programs to improve the lives of people with MS, and their families.
==History== On March 11, 1946, Sylvia Lawry founded the Association for Advancement of Research on Multiple Sclerosis (now The National Multiple Sclerosis Society) in New York City.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Our Story|url=http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-the-society/our-story|website=National MS Society}}</ref> Lawry, a lawyer, was seeking a cure for her brother, Bernard, who had multiple sclerosis and she established the Association after realising that no foundation or organization existed to aid individuals with MS.<ref name=":1" />
With chapters spanning the United States, the organization funds research, advocates for social and political change, offers educational resources, and sponsors services that help people with multiple sclerosis and their families. In 2016, Forbes ranked the organization 63rd among the 100 largest U.S. charities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/national-multiple-sclerosis-society/|title=National Multiple Sclerosis Society on the Forbes The 100 Largest U.S. Charities List|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-05-12|language=en}}</ref> In 2017, Charity Navigator awarded the organization three out of four stars for its performance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tobias|first=Ed|title=When Donating to MS Causes, Where Does the Money Go?|date=September 2017 |url=https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/09/01/donating-to-ms-where-does-the-money-go/|access-date=2021-04-06|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Research== The NMSS supports and funds research activities in early research, translational research that develops laboratory results into treatments, and clinical trials to find out whether they are effective in treating MS. In 2012, the Society invested $44 million in more than 350 new and ongoing projects.<ref>[http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Current-Grants-Funded-By-NMSS-By-Topic.pdf List of Current Research Projects Funded by the National MS Society.] May 2015 {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/781925494 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/781876604 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC_bot/Job_18}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund Research We Fund] {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/781925494 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/781876604 cite #4 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC_bot/Job_18}}</ref><sup>.</sup> As of 2016, NMSS has raised $974 million for research<sup>[5]</sup>.
Throughout two two-day meetings in 2014–2015, the NMSS developed the Wellness Research Working Group and wellness research priorities. The Research Wellness Group provides information regarding self-directed approaches for disease management to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Motl|first1=Robert W|last2=Mowry|first2=Ellen M|last3=Ehde|first3=Dawn M|last4=LaRocca|first4=Nicholas G|last5=Smith|first5=Kathy E|last6=Costello|first6=Kathleen|last7=Shinto|first7=Lynne|last8=Ng|first8=Alexander V|last9=Sullivan|first9=Amy B|date=2017-01-12|title=Wellness and multiple sclerosis: The National MS Society establishes a Wellness Research Working Group and research priorities|journal=Multiple Sclerosis Journal|language=en|volume=24|issue=3|pages=262–267|doi=10.1177/1352458516687404|issn=1352-4585|pmc=5494005|pmid=28080254}}</ref>
'''Research rewards''' consist of several types of contributions to researchers in early to late stages of their careers. The following is a list of awards distributed by NMSS<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Research/Current-Grants-Funded-By-NMSS-By-Topic.pdf|title=List of Current Research Projects Funded by the National MS Society|date=January 2017|website=National Multiple Sclerosis Society|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516062907/https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Research/Current-Grants-Funded-By-NMSS-By-Topic.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> to researchers in 2017.
=== Research funding and grant programs ===
==== Career Transition Fellowship ==== The Career Transition Fellowship program sponsors postdoctoral training and research funding for scientists who demonstrate a dedication to MS research. Awards are in amounts up to $550,000 for a total of five years of training and research. The training period covers two years and research funding covers three additional years for research in a new faculty position.
==== Collaborative MS Research Center Awards ==== The NMSS offers funding to research centers with the intent to promote interaction among researchers. The Collaborative MS Research Center Awards program is intended to create collaboration between MS researchers, including independent investigators, and clinical research organizations. In addition, the program reaches out to professionals working in other fields of research to recruit them into MS research projects.
MS Research Center Awards are obtained through an application process through the NMSS MS Grants web page.
==== Fast Forward commercial/drug development ==== Fast Forward is a commercial research funding entity under the NMSS which provides funding for drug development and MS research being conducted through commercial entities such as EMD Pharmaceuticals, the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and others. Researchers interested in the program are able to apply for funding through the Commercial Funding Opportunities web page.
==== Daniel Haughton Senior Faculty Award ==== This award was named after a member of the Board of Directors of the NMSS. Its purpose was to provide funding for training of MS researchers who needed additional education regarding the disease. As of 2017, this award was on hold<ref>https://researchfunding.duke.edu/daniel-haughton-senior-faculty-awards {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> and not accepting applications.
==== Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholarships ==== Harry Weaver was a researcher in the field of neuroscience who had a dedication to MS research. He was the Director of Research at NMSS from 1966 to 1977. The scholarship in his name is offered to provide salary and research funding for a period of five years to researchers who are beginning their careers in MS research. The program is most often supported through universities.
==== Health Care Delivery and Policy Contracts ==== The Health Care Delivery and Policy Research (HCDPR) program funds investigators who are conducting research projects which address NMSS organization's priorities. These priorities are listed by the NMSS as funding, quality, outcomes, and costs for care related to MS.
==== International Progressive MS Alliance ==== The International Progressive MS Alliance was founded in 2012 as the International Progressive MS Collaborative. The MS Alliance membership is composed of MS organizations from around the world. The Alliance provides two different funding awards, including the Challenge Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.progressivemsalliance.org/research/research-projects-funded-by-the-alliance/challenge-awards/ |title=International Progressive MS Alliance {{!}} Challenge Awards |website=www.progressivemsalliance.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918053715/http://www.progressivemsalliance.org/research/research-projects-funded-by-the-alliance/challenge-awards/ |archive-date=2015-09-18}} </ref> and Collaborative Network Award grants. Both grants provide funding over multiple years to researchers and institutions in the international community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.progressivemsalliance.org/|title=International Progressive MS Alliance {{!}}|website=www.progressivemsalliance.org|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref>
==== Mentor-based Postdoctoral Rehabilitation ==== This program supports a combination of mentors and MS postdoctoral training institutions to recruit and train MS rehabilitation fellows. Mentors are required to be experienced MS researchers who have an established and active participation in their field. Interested parties must submit an application for the program through the NMSS website.
Participants in the program include the Duke University School of Medicine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://researchfunding.duke.edu/mentor-based-postdoctoral-fellowship-rehabilitation-research|title=Mentor-Based Postdoctoral Fellowship in Rehabilitation Research {{!}} Research Funding|website=researchfunding.duke.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> the Weizmann Institute of Science,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weizmann.ac.il/RGP_open/postdoc/NMSS.html|title=National Multiple Sclerosis Society|website=www.weizmann.ac.il|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Utah,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://osp.utah.edu/|title=Home – Office of Sponsored Projects – The University of Utah|website=osp.utah.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> and additional related institutions.
==== Clinician Scientist Development Award ==== The American Academy of Neurology and NMSS have partnered to develop this grant program. The program focuses on providing grant funding to MS researchers. In 2016, the American Academy of Neuroscience Clinician Scientist Development Program<ref name=":0">{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/announcing-the-2016-american-academy-of-neurology-research-program-recipients-300254503.html|title=Announcing the 2016 American Academy of Neurology Research Program Recipients|last=Neurology|first=American Academy of|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> awarded $3 million to research and training programs with a focus on neuroscience.
==== Pilot Research Grants ==== High-risk pilot research programs<ref name=":0" /> focus on cutting-edge ideas and methods that have not been tested and may contribute to MS medical research. The Pilot Research Grants provide one year of research funding to pilot programs in order to develop results which can be used to apply for long term funding programs.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.nationalmssociety.org}}
{{multiple sclerosis}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:1946 establishments in New York City Category:Multiple sclerosis organizations in the United States Category:Disability organizations based in New York (state) Category:American organizations established in 1946