McDonald Fellowship 2027 (€55,000 Per Year for MS Researchers)
The McDonald Fellowship 2027 is an international research fellowship for early-career researchers from low- and middle-income countries who are working in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). The program supports researchers who want to undertake a two-year research placement at an institution outside their home country.
The fellowship provides €55,000 per year for two years, along with a return flight to the host country. The funding is provided through the host institution, so applicants should discuss salary, living expenses, and other financial arrangements with their proposed host before applying.
The next application round is expected to open in September 2026, with the application deadline scheduled for December 1, 2026.
McDonald Fellowship 2027 Quick Facts
- Fellowship: MSIF McDonald Fellowship
- Field: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research
- Career Stage: Early-career researchers
- Eligible Countries: Low-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries
- Minimum Qualification: At least an MSc or other relevant postgraduate qualification; PhD/MD preferred
- Postdoctoral Experience: Fewer than 5 years
- Duration: 2 years
- Funding: €55,000 per year
- Total Funding: Up to €110,000 over two years
- Travel Support: One return flight to the host country
- Host Institution: Must be located outside the applicant’s home country
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Expected Application Opening: July 2026 according to MSIF’s official information
Degree Level
The fellowship is intended for postgraduate-level researchers.
Applicants should have at least a Master’s-level qualification, such as an MSc, in a field relevant to the proposed MS research. Researchers with a PhD or MD may also apply and are likely to represent a significant portion of the applicant pool.
The fellowship can also support researchers who have recently been accepted into a recognized PhD program but do not have sufficient funding to cover the full cost of their doctoral research.
Available Subjects
The McDonald Fellowship is specifically designed for researchers whose work is connected to multiple sclerosis.
Applicants may propose research in areas such as:
Multiple sclerosis biology and disease mechanisms
MS diagnosis and treatment
Neurology and neuroscience
Clinical MS research
Epidemiology and population health
MS-related laboratory research
Neuroimmunology
Related neurological conditions such as NMOSD and MOGAD, where the proposed research has a clear connection to MS
Priority may be given to projects that have the potential to improve knowledge, treatment, diagnosis, or care for people living with MS in low- and middle-income countries.
Benefits
The McDonald Fellowship provides substantial financial and professional support for selected researchers.
€55,000 Annual Funding
Successful fellows receive €55,000 per year for two years, providing up to €110,000 over the full fellowship period.
The funding is paid to the host institution rather than directly to the researcher as a personal lump sum. Therefore, applicants should discuss the financial arrangements with their proposed host institution before applying.
Two-Year International Research Placement
The fellowship allows researchers to spend two years conducting research outside their home country.
This can provide access to international laboratories, research facilities, specialist training, and experienced supervisors.
Return Travel
The fellowship also includes one return flight to the host country.
PhD Support
In certain circumstances, the fellowship can part-fund a PhD when an applicant has recently been accepted into a recognized doctoral program but does not have sufficient funding.
International Research Experience
The fellowship can help early-career researchers develop international collaborations, improve research skills, and build professional networks in the field of multiple sclerosis.
Eligible Nationalities
The McDonald Fellowship is open to citizens of countries classified by the World Bank as low-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income countries.
Applicants would normally be expected to be working or studying in a low- or middle-income country when applying.
There can be an exception for researchers who have recently moved to another country for a research project that started within six months before the application.
Importantly, the research placement must take place at a host institution outside the applicant’s own country.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should carefully check the official requirements before preparing their application. The main eligibility conditions include:
Be an early-career researcher working in a field relevant to multiple sclerosis.
Hold at least a postgraduate/Master’s-level qualification relevant to the proposed research.
Have fewer than five years of postdoctoral research experience.
Be a citizen of a low-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income country according to World Bank classification.
Normally be working or studying in a low- or middle-income country at the time of application.
Propose a research project with a clear connection to multiple sclerosis.
Secure a suitable host institution and supervisor outside the applicant’s home country.
Obtain the required supporting statement from the host supervisor.
Provide two reference letters from referees who are different from the host supervisor.
Be able to complete the required application materials before the deadline.
Career breaks or circumstances that have delayed a researcher’s career may be taken into consideration when assessing the postdoctoral experience requirement.
Application Procedure
The application process requires preparation before the application portal opens. Applicants should not wait until September to begin finding a host.
Step 1: Identify a Suitable Host
The first important step is finding a university, research institute, hospital, or laboratory outside your home country that is suitable for your research.
Identify a researcher whose expertise matches your proposed MS project and contact them about the possibility of becoming your host supervisor.
Step 2: Develop Your Research Project
Work with the potential host to develop a strong research proposal.
Your project should clearly explain the research question, methodology, expected outcomes, and relevance to multiple sclerosis.
It is particularly useful to explain how the research could eventually benefit people with MS in low- and middle-income countries.
Step 3: Confirm the Host Supervisor
Before submitting your application, make sure your proposed host is willing to participate.
The host supervisor must provide a supporting statement as part of the application process.
Step 4: Arrange Two Referees
Applicants must provide two references.
These referees must be different from the host supervisor. Contact your referees early so they have enough time to prepare and submit their letters.
Step 5: Prepare the Lay Summary
A strong 500-word lay summary is an important part of the application.
The summary should explain your research in language that can be understood by people outside your specific research field. Avoid filling it with technical terminology and explain why the project matters to people living with MS.
Step 6: Complete the Online Application
Once applications open, complete the online application and provide all required documents and information.
The application, host supporting statement, and reference letters must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Step 7: Submit Before December 1, 2026
The expected deadline for the McDonald Fellowship 2027 application is December 1, 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final days because the host supervisor and referees also need to complete their sections.
McDonald Fellowship 2027 Deadline
The expected deadline for the McDonald Fellowship 2027 is December 1, 2026.
Applicants should begin preparing well before the application portal opens in September 2026. Finding an international host, developing a research proposal, contacting referees, and preparing the lay summary can take considerable time.
The fellowship is particularly suitable for researchers who already have a clear research direction and can establish a strong connection between their proposed project and the needs of people affected by multiple sclerosis.
