Aims of the NZMSRT
The NZMSRT aims to stimulate, co-ordinate and support New Zealand-based research into the cause, prevention, treatment, alleviation and cure of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and to obtain and disseminate research findings.
The Trust was established in 2015 with seed funding from MSNZ and the MS Auckland Regional Trust. MSNZ realised that to make a real difference to New Zealanders living with MS, MS research needed a stand-alone Trust that could initiate MS research or collaborate with research partners to fund research opportunities.
The Trust:
- Collaborates with partners to fund research that helps people with MS;
- Informs people about research findings;
- Uses fact-based research findings to improve the lives of people with MS.
The NZMSRT promotes MS Research by:
- sharing information with other research organisations or individual researchers, within New Zealand and overseas;
- consulting and sharing information with organisations in New Zealand representing or supporting people with MS;
- initiating, encouraging and facilitating research into the application and use of clinical research outputs. In particular, supporting or maintaining practical programmes for the alleviation of the medical, psychological, physical, social, employment or other effects of MS in New Zealand;
- obtaining, publishing and disseminating papers, articles and other forms of information containing or reporting on research findings;
- providing research results to health professionals and their organisations with the aim of attracting, educating, and retaining high quality human resources to work with people with MS in our hospitals and in the community;
- educating people with MS, their families, carers and members of the wider community on the outcomes of research;
- making submissions or representations to Government, health authorities or other agencies in support of legislation, regulations, funding programmes or practices designed or intended to prevent, treat, cure or alleviate the effects of MS.
Grants
The Trust is currently funding a feasibility study into the establishment of a national registry of all people with MS in New Zealand. A National Registry is seen as an essential step in assisting further MS Research, equitable allocation of treatment resources, determining MS prevalence and tracking & evaluating the impact of treatment in the New Zealand population.
It will also enable researchers to leverage off global data and share their findings with the wider international MS community.
While the establishment of a national registry is currently their main funding focus, the trust welcomes other applications for MS Research funding for its consideration.
Further Info
NZ MS Research Trust Website
NZMSRT Brochure
Official Launch of the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust – MEDIA RELEASE 2 July 2015
