McDonald Fellowships 2026 for Early Career MS Researchers from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Are you a passionate early-career researcher from a low- or middle-income country working in the field of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? Here’s a transformative global opportunity you shouldn’t miss! The McDonald Fellowships 2026, offered by the MS International Federation (MSIF), provide a two-year fully funded international research placement at a world-class institution.

About the McDonald Fellowship

The McDonald Fellowship aims to empower early-career researchers by enabling them to gain new skills, collaborate internationally, and advance MS research or patient care in their home countries. Fellows will undertake a research project or gain expertise at an institution outside their home country, with a vision to bring back valuable knowledge and contribute locally.

• Program Duration: 2 years
• Funding Amount: €55,000 per year (paid to the host institution to support the fellow)

Two (02) named fellowships are also awarded:

• MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship (in partnership with ECTRIMS)
• MSIF-FRANCESEP McDonald Fellowship (in partnership with France Sclerose En Plaques).

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country as defined by the World Bank
• Hold at least an MSc (preferably a PhD/MD) in a field related to MS
• Be involved in MS-related research
• Currently be working/studying in a low- or middle-income country, OR
• Studying abroad on an MSIF Du Pré grant, OR

• Working/studying abroad on a project that started within the last 6 months.

Important: This is a joint application between the applicant and a host supervisor from an institution outside the applicant’s home country. The project and supervisor must be confirmed before applying.

Programs Covered

The McDonald Fellowship supports early-career research in fields relevant to:

• Neurology
• Biomedical sciences
• MS diagnostics, treatment, or patient care
• Neuroscience and remyelination studies

It may also part-fund a PhD, if the applicant has already secured admission but lacks full funding.

Apply: https://www.msif.org/research/awards-grants-and-fellowships/mcdonald-fellowships/.

Application Timeline & Deadlines

Applications for the 2026 McDonald Fellowship will officially open on 1 July 2025. The final deadline to submit the complete application—including the online application form, host supervisor’s supporting statement, and all three reference letters—is 1 December 2025.