Race to Erase MS

The Race to Erase MS is dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of MS. Funding research is the core focus of the Foundation and all funds raised support our Center Without Walls program, a selected network of the nation's top MS research centers. This nationwide collaboration of physicians and scientists are on the cutting-edge of innovative research programs, working as a team on therapeutic approaches to eradicate MS. In addition to combating MS through research in a clinical environment, we hope to increase awareness by educating the public about this mystifying disease.

Our Race to Erase MS event is the core fundraising component to support our mission and our Center Without Walls (CWW) program. The Center is a break-through success because of the vision, insight and flexibility of these extraordinary doctors. The Center's theme is simple; communication - doctors working together toward a mutual goal. The Center’s network of the top MS institutions that have established leading, innovative research programs presently include UCLA, Cedar-Sinai, UCSF, Harvard, Yale, USC, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Oregon Health Sciences University. Direct quotes from doctors below on the need of our program in the research community:

“For years Race to Erase MS foundation has fostered collaborative efforts and supported many research projects between the participating centers. Equally important, in my opinion, is the support from the foundation to actually train and retain a new generation of young MS experts, thus preparing the future of MS research that will lead to a cure.” - Daniel Pelletier, M.D, Professor, Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology Departments, Chief, Neuro-Immunology Division and Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center, Director, Advanced Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (AIMS) Laboratory

“The Race to erase MS has been instrumental in supporting the Johns Hopkins MS Center’s effort to both understand the basic mechanisms underlying progressive MS and to develop new and better therapies for the disease.” “The junior faculty award has helped launch the careers of several bright young physician scientists who frequently collaborate with others in the group” – Peter Calabresi M.D., Professor of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Director of the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center and the Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious

Primary Objectives of our Center Without Walls Program:
Our Center Without Walls (CWW) program has provided support that has permitted the medical community to link together multidisciplinary scientific programs and expertise across the country to advance the understanding of the cause of MS and to develop new treatments. The Center constantly strives to strengthen this revolutionary concept with new approaches to finding the brightest minds in this field. The Center’s Scientific Advisory Board, spearheaded by Dr. Jack Antel, annually reviews proposals and grants, submitted in standard NIH format. In addition to the regular use of high-technology communication tools, researchers of CWW come together to share scientific accomplishments through monthly virtual meetings, standard scientific advisory meetings and symposiums.

In research supported by the Race to Erase MS, truly revolutionary breakthroughs in genetics and immunology have been made possible at the CWW. These breakthroughs create the potential for the development of more effective drugs against multiple sclerosis and give promise for a cure in the near future.

Specific Need Addressed by our Program:
The program goal for Center Without Walls (CWW) is to award seed grants to Young Investigators at MS research institutes as well as support Pilot Projects in basic science and clinical research. Our Race to Erase MS Scientific Advisory Board is dedicated to funding the best and the brightest young researchers who are passionate about finding a cure for multiple sclerosis. Many brilliant minds are lost to private practice as funding is difficult to access as a young investigator. Through seed grants awarded by Race to Erase MS, we can help guarantee that the most cutting-edge research continues to thrive in the field of MS. The pilot grants are meant to support creative and novel research so preliminary data are acquired that can be used toward securing larger funding to confirm and expand findings. The goal of these grants is to award innovative pilot research projects in basic science and clinical research submitted by Investigators at participating MS research institutes and their collaborators. A sample testimonial below:

Young Investigator Study:
Tarun Singhal, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Associate Neurologist, Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital
"The CWW program has meant a lot to my academic progress as it was my first extramural grant (grant from outside of my parent institutions), which enabled me to realize my lifelong vision of pursuing a career combining clinical practice with scientific investigation and being at the forefront of advancement of knowledge for improving patient care. I truly appreciate the dedication of ‘Race to Erase MS’ team towards MS research that has helped numerous young investigators like myself launch their careers and contribute towards understanding of MS and improve care for MS patients."

Evaluation Methodology:
Grants will be awarded to Young Investigators which will be selected by an open application process reviewed and approved by our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Each grant awarded will be a 75K award per year with a two (2) year commitment. An annual report must be submitted at the end of the first year and is subjective to approval by the SAB to receive the second installment of $75K.

CWW grant recipients from the previous year will be considered first in the application process for a Young Investigator award. Each year each CWW center will be asked to submit one to two Young Investigators for consideration. Application will require a brief project proposal (2 pages including research plan and some preliminary data, references not included), short budget proposal (e.g. salary, tech, imaging - % not restricted), other support and NIH Biosketch, lay summary (half page) and a cover letter from candidate and letter of support from the site CWW PI outlining local Center support and plans. Review by the SAB will determine who will be selected to receive funding based on the perceived quality of the individual applicant and submitted research proposal. Applications are submitted yearly around December 1st for a funding period starting the following July.

Grants will be awarded to Investigators (Pilot Studies) which will be selected by an open application process reviewed and approved by our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Application will require a brief project proposal (2 pages for research plan and preliminary data, references not included), short budget proposal (e.g. salary, tech, imaging), other support and NIH Biosketch, and lay summary (half page). Review by the SAB will determine who will be selected to receive funding based on the perceived quality of the submitted research proposal. Applications are submitted yearly around December 1st for a funding period starting the following July.