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The Research Network
The MS Society Research Network (RN) was launched in 2002. The network currently has a total of 160 members; all people who have experience of living with MS or caring for a person with MS.
The Research Network has core aims in line with recommendations set out in the MS Society Strategy for 2008-2012.
The network aims to:
- actively involve people affected by MS in all aspects of the MS Society research programme
- make a difference to the direction, quality and reporting of MS research
Involving people affected by MS helps us to ensure that:
- research funded by the Society reflects the needs and interests of those who live with the condition
- information about research results is accessible to everyone in the MS community
- people affected by MS have an opportunity to learn more about research and use their skills to assist research
160 Network members are actively involved
Network members are involved in MS Society research activities including:- 1 sitting on Grant Review Panel 1 (Basic & Clinical research).
- 2 sitting on Grant Review Panel 2 (Applied & Evolving MS Services research).
- More than 20 members acting as external reviewers for the grant review process.
- 12 were involved in the Buddy Pilot Scheme that took place in 2003. The scheme is now called the Research Partnership Scheme and we have now matched partners to 12 research projects.
- 4 representing people affected by MS on management boards for the UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank, the MRI Unit and The MS Society Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair.
