McDonald Fellowships 

McDonald Fellowships 2026-2026 are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are available for masters and PhD. The fellowship consists of a two-year grant, around £30,000 GBP per year, to cover travel and living costs, and an additional contribution of £2,000 GBP per year to the host institution.

The McDonald Fellowship enables early career multiple sclerosis researchers from low- and middle-income countries to work in a research institution outside of their own country. Following the award, we expect applicants will be able to use the newly developed expertise and networks, continuing to undertake MS research and/or patient care in low- and middle-income countries.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Masters, PhD
• Institution(s): McDonald
• Study in: Can be Neighboring country or the participant’s home country
• Opportunity Focus Areas: Multiple Sclerosis
• Program Period: Two years
• Deadline: June 30, 2026

Scholarship Coverage

McDonald Fellowships will provide the recipient with the following benefits:

• A fellow will be receiving £30,000 GBP per year living and travel expenses.
• A fellow’s institute will be receiving £2,000 GBP.

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Eligibility Criteria for McDonald Fellowships

To qualify for McDonald Fellowships, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

• Required Language(s): English
• Eligible Countries: International students from low or middle-income countries
• A candidate has to be at least a Master’s student or PhD. or MD.
• A candidate is also eligible if he or she is working on multiple sclerosis in another country that is a low or middle-income country.
• Since the application will be joint by the applicant and host institute, a candidate has to select before applying his or her host institute either in their home country or neighboring country if traveling is allowed.
• Working or studying in a low- or middle-income country (all countries with a low, lower middle or upper middle income as defined by the World Bank) at the time of nomination
• Working or studying in another country on a project which started within the six months prior to nomination
• Studying in another country on a project supported by an MS International Federation grant

How to Apply for McDonald Fellowships

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for McDonald Fellowships:

1. Complete all sections of the online application form
2. The Host needs to provide a supporting statement at the end of the application*
3. Add names and contact details of 3 referees, including the applicant’s current supervisor or employer
4. Ask referees to submit reference letters to research{at}msif{dot}org before the deadline

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Whether you are an aspiring medical researcher or a medical postgraduate looking for premium funding, finding a fully funded research opportunity can completely transform your career. One such career-defining award is the McDonald Fellowship, offered by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).

If you are a medical or science graduate looking for ways to sponsor your advanced research or looking for pathways like international student scholarships to fund your academic dreams abroad, this guide provides a breakdown of everything you need to know about the McDonald Fellowship.

What is the McDonald Fellowship?

The McDonald Fellowship is a highly prestigious, fully funded two-year research placement program. It is designed specifically for early-career medical researchers from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) as defined by the World Bank.

The primary goal of the fellowship is to enable recipients to travel abroad to join a global center of excellence. There, they carry out joint research projects or gain specialized expertise in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Once the two-year period is over, fellows are expected to return to their home countries to utilize their new skills, improving MS patient care and local research infrastructure.

The Financial Benefits: What Does the Fellowship Cover?

This is a comprehensive, high-value grant. The fellowship provides substantial financial backing to ensure researchers can focus entirely on their work without financial strain:

• Annual Grant: An award of €55,000 per year for two years (totaling €110,000). This money is disbursed directly to your host institution to cover your salary, living expenses, and project-related research costs.

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• Host Support: An additional contribution of £2,000 per year is paid directly to the host institution to support laboratory overheads.

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• Travel Costs: The award covers one return flight from your home country to the host destination.

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Eligibility Criteria

To successfully cross the screening stage for the McDonald Fellowship, candidates must fulfill the following rigid criteria:

1. Academic Background: You must be educated to the postgraduate level. This means holding at least an MSc, MD, or PhD in an area directly relevant to multiple sclerosis.

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2. Early Career Status: You must have fewer than 5 years of postdoctoral research experience. (Note: Career breaks due to medical or personal circumstances are fairly evaluated).

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3. Residency & Location: You must be a citizen of an LMIC and be actively studying or working in an LMIC at the time of your application. Alternatively, you may be working/studying abroad on an MS project that started less than six months prior to applying.

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4. Prior Awards: Recipients of the MSIF Du Pré Grant are explicitly welcomed to scale up their research by applying for the McDonald Fellowship.

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The Key Components of a Winning Application

Applying for the McDonald Fellowship is a collaborative effort between the applicant and a prospective host supervisor abroad.

1. Securing a Host Supervisor

Before you open the portal, you must independently contact an established MS research institution outside your country. You and the host supervisor must agree on a viable, high-impact research topic.

2. Specialized Fellowship Streams

Depending on who supports your application, you will fall into one of two collaborative streams:

• MSIF-ECTRIMS Fellowship: Sponsored alongside the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

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• MSIF-FRANCESEP Fellowship: Sponsored alongside France Sclérose En Plaques.

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3. The 500-Word Lay Summary

One of the most unique aspects of the selection process is the Lay Summary. The expert panel includes clinicians, scientists, and everyday people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Because of this, you must write a 500-word summary using simple language, concrete analogies, and no heavy jargon to explain why your project matters and how it helps the patient community.

Timeline & Deadlines

While exact dates shift slightly with each year’s cycle, the application cycle generally follows a reliable timeline:

• Application Portal Opens: July

  MS International Federation

• Final Submission Deadline: December 1st (This includes your application form, host supporting statements, and three external reference letters).

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• Funding Commences: Within 12 months of being officially selected.

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Summary Table: McDonald Fellowship at a Glance

If you are a student or graduate preparing your credentials for programs like this, remember that having strong foundational requirements—like excellent academic transcripts or a solid handle on international exams—is critical. Preparing for global applications often requires tracking down high-quality educational resources, past questions, and international pathway guides.

For more tips on navigating higher education, securing funding, and preparing for professional exams, check out the resources available over at Student Arrive.