Research policy

Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) is an independent charity dedicated to funding research that will help to improve quality of life for people living with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

There are around 40,000 people living in the UK with SCI, many of whom will experience complications from their injury. Our new Research Grants programme is focussed on the following areas, each of which affects the quality of life of people living with SCI. We hope that this research leads to new treatments and therapies, deepening of understanding and dissemination of best practice in these areas:

Assistive Technology Primarily for Upper Limb Function
Neuropathic Pain
Pressure Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infection

SMSR research priorities were chosen following a study highlighting research priorities identified by people with SCI, carers and clinicians in a study led by Dr Joost van Middendorp, our first Research Director, in collaboration with the James Lind Alliance (JLA). The current research policy remains firmly focused on maintaining and developing research projects that meet SMSR priority areas and criteria, and which have been approved by the SMSR Trustee Board and Scientific Advisory Board.

More information about our research grant awards can be found here

Latest

Bush & Co run the ASICS 10K for SMSR!
Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research & Bush & Co Announce 2020 Partnership!

We are delighted to announce our continued Gold partnership with Bush & Co, the UK's largest provider of case management services in the UK, offering the coordination of rehabilitation care and support to those who have suffered a catastrophic injury. A number of joint activities are planned throughout the year, helping to raise awareness about the secondary complications following spinal cord injury.
Thank you Andrew Downes. And Happy St Valentine's Day!

HUGE thank you to Andrew & Paula Downes for organising a superb evening of Andrew's music to celebrate the start of his 70th year. The event raised £1,343.22 for us and will be used to support our research grants programme. A special Valentine's concert will also be held this Saturday 15 Feb in Cambridge. Click on the link above to learn more...
ASICS 10k, 5 July, London 2020

Are you interested in this event as a runner or wheelchair participant for Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research? We'll provide the place but ask that the minimum sponsorship you’d raise is £200.

Grant application

Research grant award application information for spinal cord injury research projects
London Tube Collection

On Monday 20 January we are collecting at London Old Street Tube station. If you're passing through during the morning and evening rush hour look out for us in our SMSR sashes. As an independent charity we rely solely on voluntary donations to help fund our vital research - so anything that you can give helps us. Come along and say 'hello'.
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Volunteer for us

At Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research we depend on our volunteers. Find out how you can volunteer for us