MSIF's McDonald Fellowships 2026

The McDonald Fellowship enables early career multiple sclerosis researchers from low- and middle-income countries to work in a research institution outside of their own country. During the visit, participants either gain expertise or carry out parts of joint research projects.

Following the award, we expect applicants will be able to use the newly developed expertise and networks, continuing to undertake MS research and/or patient care in low- and middle-income countries.

• Table of Content
• About MacArthur Foundation
• MSIF's McDonald Fellowships
• Aim and Benefits of MSIF's McDonald Fellowships
• Requirements for MSIF's McDonald Fellowships Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for MSIF's McDonald Fellowships
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About MacArthur Foundation

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants and impact investments to support non-profit organizations in approximately 117 countries around the world. It has an endowment of $7.6 billion and provides approximately $260 million annually in grants and impact investments.It is based in Chicago, and in 2014 it was the 12th-largest private foundation in the United States.It has awarded more than US$8.27 billion since its first grants in 1978. The foundation's stated purpose is to supp... continue reading

MSIF's McDonald Fellowships

Aim and Benefits of MSIF's McDonald Fellowships

The fellowship payment is a two-year grant, consisting of 55,000 EUR per year, paid to the host institution and then used to pay the fellow. One return flight to the host country will also be covered by the Fellowship.

Requirements for MSIF's McDonald Fellowships Qualification

All candidates must:

• Be educated to post graduate level (at least MSc, preferably PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis.
• Be citizens of a low- or middle-income country (all countries with a low, lower middle or upper middle income as defined by the World Bank)
• Focus their research in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis.

Candidates must also be in one of the following situations:

• Working or studying in a low- or middle-income country (all countries with a low, lower middle or upper middle income as defined by the World Bank) at the time of application.
• Working or studying in another country on a project which started within the six months prior to application.

Those who previously have held an MSIF Du Pré grant are eligible to subsequently apply for a McDonald Fellowship.

Interview date, Process and Venue for MSIF's McDonald Fellowships

Those who previously have held an MSIF Du Pré grant are eligible to subsequently apply for a McDonald Fellowship.

Candidates are expected to return to their own countries at the end of the study period where they will contribute to advancing care and research in MS.

The McDonald fellowship may also be used to part fund a PhD programme, where the candidate has already been accepted for the PhD programme in a recognised institute (within the six months prior to application) but who doesn’t have enough funding to cover the total cost.

If successful, candidates and Host supervisors will be required to read and sign the Terms and Conditions of the award.

The McDonald Fellowship should start within 12 months of being awarded the funding.

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Identify your project and field of interest.
• Agree the project proposal with your host supervisor.
• Complete all sections of the online application form.
• After you submit all your sections of the application, your host supervisor is contacted to submit a supporting statement* using the same application form.
• You ask three referees to send their reference letters to [email protected]  before the deadline.
• Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions of the Award to understand requirements around reporting and payments.
• Pay close attention to the lay summary of the application. Advice on how to write a lay summary can be found at the bottom of this page.

For more details, visit MSIF's McDonald Fellowships Scholarship webpage