McDonald Fellowships 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.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineDecember 1, 2026
• Study LevelPhD , Postdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorThe Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• 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

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.

Selection Process

Apply through the application website (link to online application portal will be made available when the round opens).

• 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 the webpage.

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.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit the MSIF webpage.