Applications for the 2021 McDonald Fellowships are now open.
Expanded eligibility criteria
The 2021 McDonald Fellowship requirements for applicants have been amended. Due to travel restrictions we are considering alternative ways to carry out research projects, allowing flexibility around how the Fellowship is spent, as well as when and where the project would be carried out.
We encourage potential applicants to think creatively together with their proposed hosts about potential solutions.
A project may be:
A) in a research institute/hospital abroad if travel permits (as in previous years)
B) in a research institute/hospital in your home country
C) a virtual project, either in full or in part with host institution mentoring*
*virtual projects are only possible if the applicant and host are able to demonstrate how to get sufficient mentorship throughout the project duration.
Projects are only accepted if risk of travel is low; the project can be carried out safely with minimal risk to the applicant; there are sufficient resources and supervision to allow the proposed project to take place; and the project demonstrates sufficient value to the applicant.
Application forms will be revised to include a question asking the applicant to write a plan for how to conduct the work or a part of the work if unable to travel.
The specific Terms and Conditions of the Awards are being drafted and will be communicated as soon as they have been finalised.
The McDonald Fellowships are conditional on commencing no later than the end of 2021.
For more information, including assistance with identifying possible host institutions, please contact our research team using the contact us form, selecting “Research grants and awards”.
These conditions will only change for the 2021 Awards round.
What is the McDonald Fellowship?
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. *For 2021 we are open to applications for virtual or local projects to overcome the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19. During the visit or virtual project, participants either gain expertise or carry out parts of joint research projects.
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.
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. *For 2021 we are more flexible on the use of funds if virtual projects are proposed.
Provided that it is safe to travel amid the pandemic, we expect that part of the second-year grant to the host institution will be used to cover the candidate’s expenses to attend the annual congress of ECTRIMS, the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS.
One fellowship is awarded in partnership with ECTRIMS and is known as the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship.
Another fellowship is awarded in partnership with MSIF’s member, ARSEP, The Fondation pour l’Aide à la Recherche sur la Sclérose En Plaques. This is known as the MSIF-ARSEP McDonald Fellowship.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.