May is ALS Awareness Month. Learn more about what you can do to end ALS with MDA.

About Us

Our mission is to empower people living with neuromuscular diseases to live longer, more independent lives.

Muscular Dystrophy Association Proudly Announces the 2023 Advocacy Collaboration Grants Program

After a successful 2022 Program, MDA again seeks to fund public policy and advocacy projects that will benefit the neuromuscular community.

New York, N.Y. – August 14, 2023 – As an umbrella organization serving people living with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs), the Muscular Dystrophy Association proudly announced today the applications are now open for the 2023 Advocacy Collaboration Grants Program. These grants will promote and support key public policy and advocacy initiatives in coordination with our fellow organizations and partners to empower people living with neuromuscular diseases to live longer, more independent lives. Interested organizations can go to MDA.org/AdvocacyGrants for more information on how to apply.

Image of a group of people gathering by a desk in an office setting. 2023 MDA Advocacy Collaboration Grants. Applications Now Open Through September 30.
Muscular Dystrophy Association proudly announces the 2023 Advocacy Collaboration Grants Program

The application deadline is September 30, 2023. Grant applications will be reviewed by a committee including representatives from MDA leadership, members of NMD community, and more. Grants will be announced and distributed before the end of 2023.

“No single organization can solve every challenge or remove every barrier faced by patients and families across the neuromuscular community, but collaboration can bring solutions from various sources. In the spirit of Muscular Dystrophy Association’s commitment to collaboration, we utilize this grant program to facilitate impactful and cooperative advocacy projects and initiatives,” said Donald S. Wood, President and CEO, MDA.

Through this innovative model MDA will fund activities such as:

  • Non-partisan advocacy campaigns to achieve legislative and public policy victories for the NMD community at the federal, state, local level.
  • Vital research projects to provide much-needed data to further understand the experiences of the NMD community to further advocacy priorities.
  • Opportunities to convene stakeholders in the NMD community through in-person and virtual meetings, conferences, and other events.
  • Programs or toolkits to build, grow, and train NMD grassroots advocates.
  • Other innovative programs, campaigns, or initiatives that can measurably impact one or more of MDA and the collaborating organizations' common advocacy goals.

"After a successful 2022 program where Muscular Dystrophy Association funded over $100,000 in grants to five organizations, we are thrilled to launch this year's MDA Advocacy Collaboration Grants Program. This grants program is an effort that we hope will accelerate the development and delivery of meaningful treatments, health care, and life opportunities to the neuromuscular disease community", said Paul Melmeyer, Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy at MDA. "We invite all interested organizations with great research, public policy, and advocacy proposals to apply."

About Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Find MDA
in your Community