McDonald Fellowships 2026: Fully Funded MS Research Grants for Developing Country Scientists
McDonald Fellowships 2026: A Unique Research Opportunity for MS Researchers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The MS International Federation (MSIF) is happy to announce the upcoming application spherical for the 2026 McDonald Fellowships, set to open on 1 July 2025. This prestigious alternative is designed to empower early-career researchers from low- and middle-income international locations who’re devoted to the study of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The McDonald Fellowship programme supplies a two-year analysis placement at a bunch establishment exterior the applicant’s home nation. Fellows acquire specialised experience or contribute to joint analysis efforts, with the expectation that they are going to apply their newly acquired abilities and data upon returning to their home international locations—strengthening MS care and analysis the place it’s most wanted.
Fellowship Value and Structure
- The fellowship presents a two-year grant valued at €55,000 per yr.
- Payments are made to the host establishment, which then distributes the funds to the guy.
- Fellows could use this award to part-fund a PhD programme, supplied the PhD programme was accepted inside the six months previous to application.
Partnership Awards
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
Applicants should additionally meet one of the next standards:
- Be working or finding out in a low- or middle-income country on the time of application.
- Be working/finding out in a foreign country on a undertaking initiated inside six months earlier than the application.
- Be a present or former Du Pré Grant recipient. (Note: McDonald Fellowship recipients can’t later apply for a Du Pré grant.)
Application Process
Step-by-step information to making use of:
- Identify a analysis undertaking and host supervisor at an establishment exterior your home nation.
- Contact your host to agree on the undertaking scope.
- Submit the total application type by way of the official portal.
- After submission, your host shall be requested to finish a supporting assertion inside the identical application system.
- Request three referees to ship letters of advice to: analysis@msif.org earlier than the deadline.
- Carefully overview the Terms and Conditions of the award.
- Prepare and submit a 500-word lay abstract of your analysis proposal.
Important: This is a joint application. Both the applicant and host should full their sections earlier than the deadline.
Application Deadlines
All parts should be submitted by 1 December 2025:
Late submissions will end in disqualification.
Selection and Evaluation
Applications are reviewed by the McDonald Fellowship panel, which incorporates main scientists and people affected by MS. Successful candidates shall be notified after the analysis course of is full.
Reporting Requirements
To guarantee transparency and accountability, fellows are required to:
- Submit a progress report on the finish of the primary yr (continuation of funding is determined by this).
- Submit a last report and expenditure abstract upon completion.
- Share digital copies of experiences, publications, abstracts, or posters that come up from the fellowship.
- Acknowledge the McDonald Fellowship in all outputs, together with the MSIF web site deal with: www.msif.org
Lay Summary Guidelines
Applicants should submit a 500-word lay abstract, utilizing clear and accessible language. Here are key suggestions:
- Introduce your subject and clarify the background.
- Identify the issue your analysis addresses.
- Describe the potential impression on folks with MS.
- Use easy language and keep away from jargon.
- Provide concrete examples and analogies.
- Define any technical phrases used.
- Test your abstract by sharing it with somebody unfamiliar with MS analysis.
- You can also ship your lay abstract to the MSIF analysis group for suggestions earlier than submission.
Contact & Support
For inquiries or assist in figuring out a bunch establishment, please contact the MSIF analysis group by way of the contact type on their web site, deciding on the class “Research grants and awards”.
Acknowledging Our Partners
MSIF extends its honest due to ECTRIMS and FranceSEP for their continued assist in making these fellowships attainable.
Quick Links
For extra Opportunities, Please go to the Opportunities for Youth‘s web site!
McDonald Fellowships 2026: Fully Funded MS Research Grants for Developing Country Scientists
