McDonald Fellowships 2027 – Fully Funded: Eligibility & How to Apply
McDonald Fellowships 2027 – Fully Funded: Eligibility & How to Apply: Every year, a small number of early-career researchers get the chance to take their work abroad, learn from leading international experts, and bring that knowledge back home to communities that need it most. The McDonald Fellowships, offered by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), are built exactly for that purpose. For 2027, this fully funded, two-year research fellowship is once again open to early-career multiple sclerosis (MS) researchers from low- and middle-income countries. Here’s a complete, practical breakdown of what the fellowship offers, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply.
Quick Facts
- Offered By: Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF)
- Field: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research and clinical care
- Funding Type: Fully funded
- Duration: 2 years
- Funding Amount: Approximately €55,000 per year, paid to the host institution to cover the fellow’s salary and related costs
- Location: A host research institution outside the applicant’s home country
- Eligible Applicants: Early-career researchers from low- and lower-middle- or upper-middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Official Website: msif.org
Read More: KAUST Internship 2027 (Fully Funded) – Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process
What Is the McDonald Fellowship?
The McDonald Fellowships 2027 is an international research placement program, not a university degree scholarship. Instead of funding classroom study, it places promising early-career MS researchers into a host laboratory or clinical research institution abroad for two years, where they can build technical skills, contribute to joint research projects, and develop lasting professional networks. Two versions of the fellowship are currently offered in partnership with global MS organizations: the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship, run with the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, and the MSIF-FRANCESEP McDonald Fellowship, supported by France Sclerose En Plaques.
The underlying goal is capacity-building. Rather than encouraging researchers to permanently relocate, MSIF designs the fellowship so that participants return to their home countries afterward, bringing new expertise, international collaborations, and improved research or patient-care capabilities with them.
Who Should Apply for McDonald Fellowships 2027?
This McDonald Fellowships 2027 is best suited to researchers who are:
- At an early stage of their MS research or clinical career, holding relevant postgraduate qualifications such as an MSc, PhD, or MD.
- Based in, or originally from, a country classified by the World Bank as low-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income.
- Interested in gaining hands-on international research experience rather than pursuing a full postgraduate degree program.
- Committed to returning to their home country after the fellowship to continue MS-related research or patient care.
- Already in contact with, or able to secure, a host supervisor and research institution abroad willing to support their application.
MSIF has also indicated that women and researchers from indigenous communities are especially encouraged to apply.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
Unlike scholarships that pay tuition fees, the McDonald Fellowship is structured as a working research placement. Its funding package includes:
- A two-year, fully funded placement at an approved host institution outside the applicant’s home country.
- An annual grant of approximately €55,000, paid directly to the host institution to cover the fellow’s salary, living costs, and related research expenses.
- Access to an international network of MS researchers, clinicians, and mentors.
- The opportunity to either learn new research techniques or contribute directly to ongoing joint MS research projects.
- In some cases, part-funding support for a PhD program that the applicant has already been accepted into within the six months prior to applying.
Eligibility Snapshot for McDonald Fellowships 2027
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Career Stage | Early-career MS researcher |
| Qualification | Relevant postgraduate degree (MSc, PhD, MD, or equivalent) |
| Country of Origin | Low-, lower-middle-, or upper-middle-income country (World Bank classification) |
| Host Institution | Must be located outside the applicant’s home country and agreed upon before applying |
| Return Commitment | Applicant should intend to return home to continue MS research or clinical work |
| Referees | 3 referees required, including the applicant’s current supervisor or employer |
How to Apply for McDonald Fellowships 2027: Step-by-Step
Applying for the McDonald Fellowship involves more preparation than a typical scholarship application, since it requires coordination with a host institution before submission. Here’s how the process generally works:
- Identify Your Research Interest: Decide on the specific MS-related field, technique, or research project you want to pursue abroad.
- Find and Contact a Host Supervisor: Reach out to potential host institutions and supervisors outside your home country who are willing to support your placement.
- Agree on a Project Proposal: Work with your prospective host supervisor to finalize a research project or training plan before submitting your application.
- Complete the Online Application Form: Fill out every section of the official MSIF application form with accurate personal, academic, and project details.
- Host Supporting Statement: Once you submit your application, your host supervisor will automatically be contacted through the same system to submit a supporting statement.
- Arrange Reference Letters: Ask your three referees, including your current supervisor or employer, to submit their reference letters directly to MSIF before the deadline.
- Review Terms & Conditions: Read through the official terms and conditions covering reporting requirements and how payments to the host institution are managed.
- Submit Before the Deadline: Ensure your complete application, including the host statement and reference letters, is submitted by December 1, 2026.
Where to Apply
All applications must be submitted through MSIF’s official research grants page. Interested applicants can find the application portal link, detailed guidelines, and updates on the official website here: www.msif.org – McDonald Fellowships
Applicants should always apply through this official channel only, since fellowship details, portal links, and deadlines are updated directly by MSIF each cycle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to contact a host institution. Since a confirmed host and project proposal are required before applying, leaving this until close to the deadline can jeopardize your application.
- Submitting an incomplete application. All sections, including the host’s supporting statement and all three reference letters, must be submitted correctly and on time.
- Choosing a host institution in your own country. The fellowship specifically requires a placement outside the applicant’s home country.
- Ignoring the return-commitment expectation. Since the fellowship is designed to build local research capacity, applicants should clearly demonstrate their intention to return home after completing the program.
Key Dates to Remember
- Applications Open: July
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Fellowship Start: Expected to begin within 12 months of the award being confirmed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the McDonald Fellowship a scholarship for university study? No. It is a two-year, fully funded research placement at a host institution abroad, rather than a traditional degree scholarship.
2. What is the application deadline for the 2027 fellowship? The deadline to submit applications is December 1, 2026.
3. How much funding does the fellowship provide? The fellowship provides approximately €55,000 per year for two years, paid to the host institution to cover the fellow’s salary and related costs.
4. Do I need to arrange a host institution before applying for McDonald Fellowships 2027? Yes. Applicants must identify a host supervisor and institution and agree on a research project or training plan before submitting their application.
5. Can the fellowship support an ongoing PhD program? In some cases, yes — the fellowship may part-fund a PhD program the applicant has already been accepted into within the six months before applying.
6. Where can I officially apply for the McDonald Fellowship? Applications must be submitted through MSIF’s official website at msif.org, under the Research: Awards, Grants and Fellowships section.
7. Is there an expectation to return home after the fellowship? Yes. The fellowship is designed to build MS research and care capacity in low- and middle-income countries, so applicants are expected to return home afterward to continue their work.
