MS Carers Grant – Apply now!

Merck announces 50,000EUR MS Carers Grant

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic Merck announced the MS Carers Grant to support those caring for a loved one with MS within this new challenging situation. The initiative aim to aid organizations in providing support to people caring for someone with MS.

A total of 50,000EUR will be distributed across up to ten successful organizations, to fund projects that actively support and engage MS carers, whether to support a COVID-19 specific need or not.

The grant is open to innovative, forward-thinking applications from existing patient organizations that provide support to people living with MS and their carers.

Areas of interest

Areas of particular interest include but are not restricted to:

• Training and education for carers and their families
• Employer education, including:
  • Understanding carers’ needs
  • Development of policies and initiatives to support carers
• Provision and access to respite care
• Raising awareness of existing support and information for carers
• Advice and support for carers, including:
  • At point of diagnosis
  • Emotional and mental health
  • Finance and careers
  • Work / life balance
  • Managing school / university education alongside caring responsibilities

Applicants may also wish to consider how their work can support carers during this particularly challenging time.

Assessment of applications

All entries will be reviewed by an independent secretariat, followed by full assessment by an independent panel using the following criteria:

• Evidence of project need
• Clearly defined project goals including:
• Planning
• Measurement
• Cost breakdown
• Timelines
• Anticipated outcomes
• Active engagement with carers of people with MS, in all stages of the project
• Ability to provide appropriate records and documents to demonstrate utilization of awarded grants.

The following initiatives/applications are ineligible and will not be considered:

• Individual applicants
• Applicants with links to government organizations
• No evidence of support for carers of people with MS
• Retrospective project spending
• Travel and accommodation costs
• Ongoing operational costs e.g. venue hire, bills, printing, staff cost and salary
• Building projects
• Professional associations, or training for professionals
• Endowments, loans, deficits, general appeals
• Non-essential items

The initiative opened on European Carers Day, Tuesday 6 October 2020 and the deadline for all applications is Sunday 15 November 2020.

If you would like further information about the MS Carers Grant, please contact: MSCarersGrant@fhflondon.co.uk