The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has awarded AED4 million in research grants to six UAE-based projects designed to accelerate progress in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), marking a major milestone in its second research grant cycle.
The awarded projects were announced at an event held in Abu Dhabi, attended by key partners, researchers, and representatives from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). The announcement follows the release of the NMSS 2023–2024 Research Impact Report and reflects the growing momentum behind MS research and advocacy efforts in the UAE.
This year's funding has doubled compared to the inaugural cycle, reflecting NMSS’s strengthened commitment to advancing MS research. This year’s grant cycle attracted 46 applications, including submissions developed in collaboration with 15 international and regional partners, representing a nearly fourfold increase compared to the first cycle, demonstrating the UAE’s strengthened leadership in MS research.
The research grants have been awarded to leading institutions in the country, including: Investigating Genetic and Epigenetic Associations with Familial MS, Khalifa University; Development and Evaluation of Augmented Reality-Based Dual-Task Training to Enhance Cognitive and Motor Function in People with MS, University of Sharjah; Self-Energy Harvesting Sensors for Enhanced Monitoring of MS (SENSE-MS), Khalifa University; Assessing Geographic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Access to Disease-Modifying Therapies for MS Patients in the UAE, Mohammed Bin Rashid School Of Government; NMSS-LLM: The World’s First Large Language Model for MS, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI); Enhancing Myelination in MS through Targeted Electric Field Stimulation, Khalifa University.
Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: “The success of the second grant cycle reflects NMSS’s commitment to championing innovation across the UAE’s growing research ecosystem. The remarkable growth in both the number and caliber of applications we received this year is a testament to the country’s expanding scientific capabilities and its vision to become a global hub for healthcare and research excellence. Developed in collaboration with DoH, the programme aligns with national priorities and is driven by the UAE leadership’s vision to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation.
“Each of these projects represent meaningful progress towards our long-term vision of improving quality of life for people living with MS, both locally and globally, and achieving breakthroughs in MS care. The programme is driven by NMSS’s commitment to driving transformative research that translates hope into real-world breakthroughs, from earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options to new pathways toward a cure.”
Dr Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: “At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, we are deeply committed to advancing the future of MS care through strategic collaboration and shared purpose. Our partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society reflects a unified vision to elevate research, improve patient outcomes, and build a resilient ecosystem for neurological health in the UAE. Together, we aim to drive innovation, shape evidence-based policies, and inspire meaningful progress in the lives of those affected by MS.”
NMSS continues to invest in future talent through initiatives like the joint NMSS MENACTRIMS Fellowship, which offers a postdoctoral research fellowship for young Emirati neuroscientists, supporting their training and development in basic, clinical, or applied MS research. The goal of the programme is to foster scientific exchange and grow the pool of skilled researchers dedicated to addressing MS-related challenges in the UAE and beyond.
