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, they 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.

ELIGIBILITY:

All candidates must:

Be educated to a postgraduate level (at least an MSc, preferably a PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis.

Have had fewer than 5 years of 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 that started within the six months prior to application.

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

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 partly fund a PhD programme, where the candidate has already been accepted for the PhD programme in a recognized institute (within the six months prior to application) but doesn’t have enough funding to cover the total cost.

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 upon before commencing the application.

The deadline for the host statement is the same as the entire application: 1 December 2026

BENEFIT:

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.