Our Work
Through a five-year network plan, NMD4C will execute an ambitious program of research, networking, and clinical transformation, creating pan-Canadian infrastructure that delivers world-class NMD research and yields tangible health and economic benefits for Canada. Our work is built upon three pillars of NMD expertise essential to success, with novel activities addressing key gaps organized into tasks. Five cross-cutting network themes ensure that core network concepts are addressed across all pillars of work.
Network Pillars
Pre-Clinical Science
We support preclinical researchers and strengthen cutting-edge basic research. The Pre-clinical Science pillar is divided into three tasks: Cell-based NMD Research, Animal-Based NMD Research, and Human Samples and Biobanking.
Clinical Research
We work towards increasing neuromuscular clinical research capacity in Canada. The Clinical Research pillar is divided into three tasks: Clinical Trial Network, Participant Recruitment and Evidence Collection, and Outcome Measures and Natural History.
Clinical Practice Research & Education
We work to improve neuromuscular clinical education, care and access to treatments across Canada. The Clinical Practice Research and Education pillar is divided into three tasks: Training and Curriculum, Community of Practice, and From Trials into Practice.
Cross-Cutting Network Themes
We have established five cross-cutting themes to ensure that core concepts are embedded in all network activities. The five themes are Early-Career Support, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity, Expert Patient Capacity Building, Knowledge Translation & Impact Assessment, and Open Science.
In July 2023 the NMD4C received a network grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis which provides funding of $200 000 per year for the next five years to strengthen the care, research and treatment of neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) for all Canadians.
Building on the NMD4C’s successful work over the past three years, this new grant expands the network and unites patient partners, knowledge users, and 60 leading Canadian clinicians and researchers from across the country under an ambitious new program of research, networking, and clinical transformation to address emerging challenges in the field of NMDs. Matching funds are being provided by Canada’s leading NMD advocacy organization and partner on the grant Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), for a combined total amount of $400 000 per year of network funding.