2026 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Understanding the Impact of Aging in Multiple Sclerosis

This initiative aims to support early-stage and feasibility studies that clarify how chronological and biological aging aƯect MS biology, clinical expression, and therapeutic decision-making.

Areas of specific interest include:

• Studies examining interactions between aging processes (e.g., immunosenescence, inflammaging, reproductive aging, biological age acceleration) and MS pathophysiology.
•  Research to validate or refine imaging, fluid, or composite biomarkers that distinguish MS-related changes from normative aging and improve individualized risk stratification in older populations
• Studies characterizing disease trajectories, cognitive decline, disability accumulation, or recovery from relapses in older individuals
• Research investigating how cardiovascular, metabolic, psychiatric, oncologic, or other ageassociated comorbidities influence MS disease activity, progression, treatment safety, or biomarker interpretation
• Studies aimed at improving the validity, calibration, or interpretation of clinical, cognitive, patient-reported, or imaging outcome measures in older adults with MS.

Funding: $200,000 total

Duration: 2 years

Research Authority due date: 10.6.26

Pre application (required) due date: 17.6.26

Full application due date: 9.9.26