Multiple sclerosis (MS) does not respect borders. In low- and middle-income countries, people living with MS often face delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialists, and scarce research infrastructure. Early-career researchers in these settings carry enormous potential, yet many lack the international networks, advanced techniques, and sustained funding needed to drive change. The MSIF McDonald Fellowship exists precisely to close that gap.
This two-year research placement offers early-career scientists from low- and middle-income countries the chance to work at a leading institution abroad, gain specialised skills, build collaborations, and return home equipped to strengthen MS research and care in their own communities. With €55,000 provided each year and a return flight covered, the fellowship removes major financial barriers and prioritises projects that deliver clear benefits for people with MS in resource-limited settings.
If you are an ambitious researcher ready to accelerate your career while contributing to global MS knowledge, the MSIF McDonald Fellowship could be the opportunity that transforms your trajectory. Here is a complete, practical guide based on the official programme details.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Any country outside the applicant’s own country (research placement at an institution abroad)
- Host University: Any suitable research institution outside the applicant’s own country (must be identified and agreed with a host supervisor before applying)
- Scholarship Type: Research Fellowships (can also part-fund PhD Scholarships)
- Eligible Countries: Low- and middle-income countries as defined by the World Bank (low, lower-middle, and upper-middle income)
- Scholarship Benefits: €55,000 per year for two years, Living stipend, etc.
Overview of MSIF McDonald Fellowship
The McDonald Fellowship, offered by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), funds two-year research placements for early-career multiple sclerosis researchers from low- and middle-income countries. Fellows work in a research institution outside their own country. They either develop new expertise or contribute to joint research projects.
After the fellowship, recipients are expected to apply their new skills and networks to continue MS research or patient care in low- and middle-income settings. Projects that demonstrate clear, practical benefits for people with MS in these countries receive priority.
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One award is given in partnership with the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and is known as the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship. Another is supported by France Sclérose En Plaques (FranceSEP) and is called the MSIF-FRANCESEP McDonald Fellowship. These partnerships expand the programme’s reach and resources.
You can explore past recipients and their projects on the official MSIF page: https://www.msif.org/research/awards-grants-and-fellowships/mcdonald-fellowships/.
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Who Is Eligible for the MSIF McDonald Fellowship?
Eligibility is carefully defined to support genuine early-career talent from the regions that need capacity-building most. All candidates must meet these requirements:
- Hold a postgraduate qualification (at least an MSc, preferably a PhD or MD) in a field relevant to multiple sclerosis.
- Have fewer than five years of postdoctoral research experience. Career breaks and other circumstances that delayed progress are taken into account.
- Be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country as defined by the World Bank (low, lower-middle, or upper-middle income). Check the current list here: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups.
- Be working or studying in a low- or middle-income country at the time of application, or working/studying in another country on a project that began no more than six months before the application deadline.
Previous holders of an MSIF Du Pré grant may apply for a McDonald Fellowship. The fellowship can also help part-fund a PhD if the candidate has already been accepted into a recognised programme within the six months prior to application but lacks sufficient funding to complete it.
The research itself must be relevant to multiple sclerosis. If the project touches related conditions such as NMOSD or MOGAD, applicants must clearly explain how the work advances understanding of MS.
Funding and Benefits: What Does the Fellowship Provide?
The financial support is substantial and practical:
- A two-year grant of 55,000 EUR per year, paid to the host institution and used to support the fellow (typically covering salary or living costs).
- One return flight to the host country.
This structure gives fellows the freedom to focus on research while the host institution manages payments according to local rules. The total package over two years reaches €110,000 plus travel, making it one of the more generous research fellowships available specifically for researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on MS.
Finding a Host Institution and Supervisor
This is a joint application. Before starting the online form, you must identify a suitable project and host supervisor at an institution outside your own country. The host must agree to the project and later submit a supporting statement.
Strong host partnerships often arise from existing scientific contacts, conference networking, published papers, or direct outreach to research groups whose work aligns with your interests. Give potential hosts plenty of time to review your ideas and commit. The deadline for the host supporting statement is the same as the main application: 1 December 2026.
How to Apply for the MSIF McDonald Fellowship
Applications are submitted through the online portal (the link becomes available when the round opens). The process involves several coordinated steps:
- Identify your host supervisor and agree on a clear project proposal.
- Complete every section of the online application form.
- After you submit, the host supervisor receives instructions to complete their supporting statement in the same system. This must be finished before the deadline.
- Arrange for two referees (different from the host supervisor) to email reference letters directly to research@msif.org before the deadline.
- Pay special attention to the 500-word lay summary. This section is read by a diverse panel that includes people affected by MS.
The full application, host statement, and both reference letters must all arrive by 1 December 2026. Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Submit your portion early—ideally at least two weeks before the deadline—so your host has adequate time.
Successful applicants and their hosts must sign the official Terms and Conditions. The fellowship should begin within 12 months of the award. For the latest terms, visit the MSIF website or contact the research team.
Application Deadline and Timeline
- Application deadline (including online form, host supporting statement, and reference letters): 1 December 2026
- Next application round expected to open: July 2027
- Applicants are informed of the outcome after the full review process is complete
Mark these dates carefully and build in buffer time for coordination with your host and referees.
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How Fellowships Are Awarded and What Reporting Is Required
A panel of scientists, clinicians, and people affected by MS from different regions reviews applications. Selection prioritises scientific quality, relevance to MS, feasibility, and potential benefit for people with MS in low- and middle-income countries.
During the fellowship, a short progress report is required at the end of the first year; second-year funding depends on its acceptance. A final report and expenditure summary are due at the end of the two years. Fellows should also submit electronic copies of any papers, abstracts, or posters arising from the work. Publications must acknowledge the MSIF McDonald Fellowship and include the address www.msif.org.
Tips for a Strong Application, Including the Lay Summary
The 500-word lay summary is critical. Write it so that a non-specialist—ideally someone with no scientific training—can understand the importance of your work. Start with background on the research area, explain why it matters, describe the specific problem or gap your project addresses, and finish with the expected impact on people living with MS.
Use everyday language. Explain technical terms such as remyelination or demyelination. Offer concrete examples or simple analogies (for instance, comparing myelin to the plastic insulation on electrical wires). Keep the focus on the big picture rather than dense methodological detail. Test the summary on a friend or family member outside the field. You may also share a draft with the MSIF research team for informal feedback before the final deadline.
Other practical tips: choose a project with clear relevance to low-resource settings, demonstrate how the new skills will transfer home, and ensure your host’s letter strongly endorses both you and the proposed work.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Since 2007, the McDonald Fellowships have supported researchers from countries including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, Malawi, South Africa, and many others. Recent recipients have tackled topics ranging from hidden nerve injury and microglial states to real-world effectiveness of therapies in progressive MS and the intersection of HIV and MS in African populations. These projects illustrate the programme’s dual focus: advancing science and building sustainable research capacity where it is most needed.
By combining substantial funding, international exposure, and an expectation of return and knowledge transfer, the MSIF McDonald Fellowship creates a pipeline of skilled researchers who can improve diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of MS in their home countries.
Next Steps and Useful Links
Review the full official guidelines and prepare your materials early: https://www.msif.org/research/awards-grants-and-fellowships/mcdonald-fellowships/.
Partner organisations:
- ECTRIMS: https://www.ectrims.eu/
- FranceSEP / ARSEP: https://www.arsep.org/
For questions, use the MSIF contact form and select “Research grants and awards”: https://www.msif.org/contact-us/.
World Bank country classifications: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups
The MSIF McDonald Fellowship is more than funding. It is an investment in researchers who will shape the future of MS care in the places that need it most. If you meet the criteria and have a compelling project, begin identifying a host supervisor now and prepare a clear, accessible application. The December 2026 deadline will arrive quickly. This could be the step that turns your local expertise into lasting global impact.