MSIF McDonald Fellowship 2027 – Global (Multiple Sclerosis Research)

Location: Global

Program: MS Research Fellowship

Eligibility: International Students

Duration: 2 years

Deadline: December 1, 2026

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The MSIF McDonald Fellowship is a prestigious two-year research grant offered by the MS International Federation (MSIF) to enable early career multiple sclerosis researchers from low- and middle-income countries to work in a research institution outside of their own country, either gaining expertise or carrying out parts of joint research projects. The fellowship is named in honour of Professor W. Ian McDonald, a distinguished neurologist and MS researcher. Fellowship projects that focus on topics with clear benefits for people with MS in low- and middle-income countries are prioritised. Upon completion of the fellowship, recipients are expected to use their newly developed expertise and networks to continue MS research and/or patient care in low- and middle-income countries.

The MS International Federation (MSIF), headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is the global federation of MS organisations representing over 50 national MS societies from around the world. MSIF leads and co-ordinates international MS research and advocacy, funds cutting-edge MS research through grants, fellowships, and awards, and works to improve the lives of people affected by MS globally. MSIF’s research funding portfolio includes the McDonald Fellowship, Du Pré Grants, the Charcot Award, and Global MS Research Fellowships — together representing one of the most comprehensive MS research funding programmes in the world.

Benefits of the Programme

This programme will provide the following to its recipients:

A grant of €55,000 per year for 2 years (€110,000 total)
One return economy class flight to the host country covered by the fellowship
Access to the research facilities, networks, and academic community of the host institution for the full 2-year fellowship period
Other benefits

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:

Must be educated to postgraduate level (at least MSc, preferably PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis
Must have fewer than 5 years of postdoctoral research experience — career breaks and additional circumstances that may have affected or delayed the research career will be taken into account
Must be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country as defined by the World Bank (all countries with low, lower middle, or upper middle income classification)
Must 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
Must have identified a suitable project and host supervisor at an institution outside their own country before applying — a project host must be agreed before commencing the application
The proposed research must be relevant to multiple sclerosis — if there is an element involving related conditions (such as NMOSD or MOGAD), the relevance to MS must be clearly explained
For the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship: the host institution must be located in Europe
Previous holders of an MSIF Du Pré Grant are eligible to apply

Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.

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Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed by MSIF’s McDonald Fellowship panel, which includes scientists, clinicians, and people affected by MS from different parts of the world. Candidates are evaluated on the scientific quality and relevance of the proposed research project to MS, the potential benefit of the research for people with MS in low- and middle-income countries, the quality of the 500-word lay summary explaining the research in accessible language, the strength of the host supervisor’s supporting statement, the quality of two reference letters submitted to research@msif.org by the deadline, and the applicant’s research background and career stage. Applications will be rejected if the host supporting statement and reference letters are not received by December 1, 2026. Fellowship projects with a clear focus on topics benefiting people with MS in low- and middle-income countries are prioritised.