McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers 2027

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.

Fellowship projects that focus on topics with clear benefits for people with MS in low- and middle-income countries will be prioritised.

• Table of Content
• About MS International Federation
• McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
• Aim and Benefits of McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
• Requirements for McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About MS International Federation

We are a unique global network of MS organisations with 47 members from around the world, and links to many others. MSIF is the global movement of MS organisations, by and for people affected by MS. We network, learn from each other, mobilise and enable global collaborations, to achieve the vital goals that can only be reached by coming together as a movement. We, the Federation, are made up of national MS organisations (including their staff, volunteers and MS communities), the MSIF staff, board and committees.... continue reading

McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers

Application Deadline	01 Dec 2026
Type	Fellowship
Sponsor	MS International Federation
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers

• 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.

One Fellowship is awarded in partnership with ECTRIMS and is known as the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship.

Another Fellowship is awarded in partnership with MSIF’s member organisation, France Sclerose En Plaques (FranceSEP). This is known as the MSIF-FRANCESEP McDonald Fellowship.

Requirements for McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers Qualification

All candidates must:

• Be educated to post graduate level (at least MSc, preferably PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis.
• Have had fewer than 5 years postdoctoral research experience. Career breaks and additional circumstances that may have affected/delayed your research career will be taken into account.
• 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)
• Be working or studying in a low- or middle-income country at the time of application OR working or studying in another country on a project which started within the six months prior to application.

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

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.

What type of research project is eligible?

• The proposed research must be relevant to multiple sclerosis. If there is an element of the research involving related conditions (such as NMOSD or MOGAD), it is essential that you explain the relevance of the research to understanding MS.

Host institutions

• This is a joint application from the applicant and host. Before applying, candidates need to have identified a suitable project and host supervisor at an institution outside of their own country.
• A project host must be agreed before commencing the application.

Interview date, Process and Venue for McDonald Fellowship for Early Career Researchers

• MSIF’s McDonald Fellowship panel, which includes scientists, clinicians and people affected by MS from different parts of the world, considers and selects successful candidates.
• 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:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)

Application Deadline

December 1, 2026

How to Apply

Apply through the application website

• Identify your host supervisor and project or topic 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. The host supporting statement is filled in once the Applicant has submitted their application. The proposed host will then be emailed with instructions to fill in the supporting statement in the application form. This must be done before the deadline of 1 December 2026. 
• You ask two referees (different people to the host supervisor) 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.

The application deadline, including the online application form, reference letters, and supporting statement from the host, is 1 December 2026.

You must submit your application with sufficient time for the proposed host to read through your application and provide a supporting statement. It is advised to give at least two weeks for your host to complete this. Equally, you must ask your referees to send a reference letter to [email protected] before the deadline. Applications will be rejected if host statement and references are not received before the deadline.

• Deadline of application: 1 December 2026
• Deadline of Host Supporting Statement: 1 December 2026
• Deadline of References: 1 December 2026

Applicants will be informed whether they were successful after all applications have been reviewed.

For enquiries, please contact the research team using the contact us form, selecting “Research grants and awards”.

For more information, kindly visit McDonald Fellowships webpage.