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MRF Launchpad Grants for Children & Young People’s Movement and Balance Disorders
The Medical Research Foundation has launched a £500,000 funding call to support research that will increase understanding of movement and balance disorders, and improve diagnosis, treatment and interventions in children and young people.
The Launchpad Grants in Children & Young People’s Movement and Balance Disorders offer up to £100,000 over two years for researchers and clinical academics in the UK conducting movement and balance disorder research that will act as a ‘launchpad’ for further research.
Funding can be used to conduct pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for larger funding.
The Medical Research Foundation has launched this grant opportunity to improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms of movement disorders, such as essential tremor, cerebral palsy, tic, ataxia and dystonia.
Treatment options for children and young people are often suboptimal or limited, and in many cases are not targeted to the specific cause underlying the movement disorder. There also remains a significant knowledge gap between the molecular basis and treatment pathways.
Proposals which include research investigating the following themes are particularly encouraged:
- Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the causes of movement disorders.
- Further understanding of mechanisms of action of any available therapies.
- Development of treatments and interventions, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions (such as orthotics, splints, physiotherapy, speech and language therapies).
- Mental health impacts of movement and balance disorders in children and young people.
Application is open to researchers and clinical academics at based at HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations in the UK.
Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Researchers may be at any career stage.
Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties, including Allied Health Professionals, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications should be submitted by the deadline on 27 March 2026.
Link:
BAPO P&O Awards 2026
Celebrate Excellence at the BAPO P&O Awards 2026
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the outstanding achievements, dedication, innovation, and impact of the Prosthetic & Orthotic workforce at the BAPO P&O Awards 2026.
Taking place on Friday 4th September 2026 at the prestigious , this special event will bring together professionals, colleagues, partners, learners, researchers, technicians, support workers, and industry leaders from across the sector for a night of recognition, networking, and celebration.
📸 The official photos from the BAPO P&O Awards 2026 are now available! Held at ICC Wales on Friday 4 September, the awards brought our community together for an unforgettable evening celebrating the very best of the prosthetics and orthotics workforce.
✨ Congratulations once again to all our finalists and winners, and thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so special.
View the photographs here:
Event Details
BAPO P&O Awards 2026
Date: Friday 4th September 2026
Drinks Reception: From 18:30
Venue: ICC Wales
Coldra Wood, Caerleon, Newport NP18 1DE
Whether you are attending to support nominees, celebrate colleagues, connect with peers, or simply enjoy an evening dedicated to the profession, we look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a memorable and inspiring occasion.
Dress Code: We encourage guests to attend in a way that makes them feel confident and comfortable, whether that’s black tie, formal wear, cultural dress, or simply dressing as the very best version of yourself as we come together to celebrate excellence.
Your Host
Award Sponsors
FORTH Conference
New Resource Launch: For the prosthetic and orthotic workforce: A guide to preparing abstracts and presenting at conferences
We’re excited to launch a new guide for the prosthetic and orthotic workforce:
A guide to preparing abstracts and presenting at conferences.
Developed to support engagement with research, service evaluation, and quality improvement, this practical guide offers clear advice on:
✔️ Writing and submitting abstracts
✔️ Preparing and delivering oral presentations
✔️ Sharing your work confidently at professional meetings and conferences
While not specific to BAPO conference guidelines, the guidance is designed to support submissions to a wide range of national and international conferences.
This resource is for everyone in the P&O community – prosthetists, orthotists, technicians, support workers, students, apprentices, and educators – at all stages of their careers.
At BAPO, we are committed to providing an equitable platform for abstract submission and presentation. We’re particularly keen to support educators to share their work, reflecting the vital role of the educator workforce. Every BAPO conference includes a dedicated space for an educator presentation.
📘 Start sharing your work.
🎤 Build confidence.
🌍 Contribute to the future of the profession.
International collaboration – joint statement
The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) and The Swedish Prosthetics and Orthotics Association (SOIF) are proud to announce a new international partnership dedicated to strengthening the global prosthetic and orthotic profession. Prosthetists and orthotists face challenges that cross borders and healthcare systems, and this collaboration brings both organisations together to champion the profession through education, visibility, advocacy, and celebration of excellence.
Dr Nicky Eddison, Chair of BAPO, said:
“Prosthetists and orthotists play a vital role in patient care, and our profession thrives when we learn from each other. International collaboration supports our shared commitment to raising standards, expanding knowledge, and ensuring the critical skills of our workforce are fully recognised.”
Per Kallvant, Chair of SOIF, added:
“Our profession is essential to the health and independence of people around the world. By working together, we amplify the voice of prosthetists and orthotists, strengthen our global community, and highlight the value we bring to healthcare systems everywhere.”
Through this partnership, BAPO and SOIF will focus on joint initiatives that promote education, professional development, and shared best practice. Together, the organisations will advocate for greater visibility and understanding of the profession, address global challenges such as unequal access to services, workforce shortages, the visibility and impact of prosthetic and orthotics care, and celebrate the ongoing innovation and excellence within prosthetics and orthotics.
This collaboration reflects a shared belief: that empowering prosthetists and orthotists strengthens patient care and advances health and wellbeing worldwide.