McDonald Fellowships, run by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) in partnership with organizations such as ECTRIMS and FRANCESEP, are among the most valuable research fellowships researchers can win. They fund two-year placements at an international center of excellence (including centers in Spain), cover generous living and research support, and are explicitly designed to build capacity so fellows can return home and strengthen MS research and care locally.
This article explains exactly what the McDonald Fellowships are, who can apply, how to apply (step-by-step), what the award covers, selection criteria, practical tips, and how Spain features as a potential host country for fellows. All key facts are taken from MSIF and partner pages and the 2026 call information.
What the Fellowship Provides
The McDonald Fellowship is a fully funded two-year research placement. Key elements of what is provided:
- Grant amount: €55,000 per year, for two years — i.e. total of €110,000. This payment goes to the host institution, which in turn uses it to support the fellow.
- Return airfare covered: A round-trip flight from the applicant’s home country to the host country is covered by the fellowship.
- Support for salary, living and research costs: Under the fellowship’s terms, the grant can be used to pay the fellow’s salary, and cover costs such as visa, travel, accommodation, subsistence, insurance, utilities, and even research-related costs (e.g. lab consumables, conference attendance, publication fees) under agreement with the host.
- Host institution support: The host institution receives funding to offset research costs relevant to the project, thereby ensuring the necessary infrastructure, supervision, and institutional resources are available.
- Structured research and training environment: Fellows benefit from supervision, mentoring, access to advanced lab and clinical resources, collaboration with experienced researchers, and integration into established MS research networks.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 2026 McDonald Fellowship, the applicant must meet the following eligibility conditions as defined by MSIF.
Basic Requirements
- Academic background: Must hold a postgraduate degree (minimum MSc), although PhD or MD-qualified candidates are preferred. The area of study must be relevant to multiple sclerosis (neuroscience, neurology, immunology, clinical research, etc.).
- Country of origin / residence: The candidate must be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country as classified by the World Bank. At the time of application, the candidate must be working or studying in an LMIC, or — if already abroad — working/studying on a project that began within the six months prior to application.
- Research relevance: The proposed project must focus on an aspect of multiple sclerosis — clinical, epidemiological, basic science, translational, rehabilitative, or health-systems research.
Additional Conditions & Application-Specific Rules
- Host identification: Applicants must secure a host institution and a named supervisor at a recognized MS research centre outside their own country before submitting the application. The application is a joint application — applicant + host — and host endorsement is mandatory.
- Commitment to return: The fellowship is aimed at building sustainable capacity — after the two-year placement, fellows are expected to return to their home country to contribute to MS care and research there.
- Flexibility for PhD funding: If the candidate has already secured admission to a PhD programme in a recognized institute (within 6 months prior to application) but lacks full funding, the McDonald Fellowship may be used to partly fund their PhD training under certain conditions.
Timing & Start Rules
- The fellowship must start within 12 months of being awarded.
- In the first year fellows must submit a short interim report; second-year funding depends on satisfactory completion and reporting. At the end, a final report and expenditure summary are required, as well as submission of any resulting publications, abstracts or posters.
Application Process
1. Begin by Reviewing the Fellowship Information
Read the full details on the MSIF website. This helps ensure the purpose, eligibility criteria, and project expectations are fully understood before you start preparing your application.
2. Secure a Host Institution and Supervisor
You will need to find a host research institution in another country and a supervisor who agrees to support your proposed MS-related research project.
- A two-year research placement is usually expected.
- A clear plan for contributing to MS research in your home country after the fellowship must be included.
3. Prepare All Required Documents
You will be asked to prepare:
- A full research proposal
- A simple lay summary
- Your CV
- Academic or professional records
- Proof that you live in a low- or middle-income country
- Contact details for three referees
Your host supervisor will also need to write and submit a supporting statement confirming their willingness to supervise you.
4. Complete the Online Application
You will then submit everything through the MSIF online application portal.
- Upload your proposal, CV, and other documents.
- Ask three referees to send their reference letters to [email protected] before the deadline.
- Ensure your host submits their statement on the portal.
Your application will not be considered if any required documents are missing.
5. Submit Before the Deadline
All documents — including referee letters and the host’s statement — must be submitted by 1 December 2025 for the 2026 competition.
You are encouraged to submit early to give referees and hosts enough time to complete their sections.
6. Wait for MSIF Review and Notification
After the deadline passes, your application will be reviewed by an MSIF selection panel made up of MS researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives.
If selected, you will receive full details on funding arrangements and reporting requirements.
7. Follow Reporting Requirements if Selected
If you are awarded the fellowship:
- Funds will be sent to the host institution, not directly to you.
- Salary, research costs, and one return flight will be covered.
- A progress report must be submitted at the end of year one for the release of second-year funding.
8. Contact MSIF for Clarification
If you need support before submitting your application, you can contact MSIF for guidance. Pre-application questions are welcomed and can help you strengthen your proposal.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths
- Fully funded placement: two years of support, covering living, travel, research costs; affordable even for candidates from resource-limited countries.
- Global access: not limited to a few countries: open to all LMICs; can host in many high-capacity research centres worldwide.
- Capacity-building & sustainability focus: designed for long-term impact, not just a one-off project.
- Flexibility and breadth: can support a range of research: clinical, basic science, biomarkers, epidemiology, health systems, translational work, etc.
- Opportunity for collaboration and networking: access to leading international MS research communities, mentorship, exposure to global standards.
Challenges & What to Plan For
- Competition is intense: limited fellowships for many applicants; quality of project, host, and application must be high.
- Administrative and logistical complexity: you must secure a host institution abroad, arrange visas/relocation, and manage living and adaptation in a foreign country.
- Responsibility to return and deliver impact: the fellowship expects fellows to go back and build capacity; you need a concrete plan, institutional support at home, and resources for re-entry.
- Two-year commitment abroad: may require putting existing jobs, studies, or personal life on hold.
- Host institution’s willingness and capability: not all labs are equally equipped to host international fellows; sometimes host agreement may be difficult.
How to Build a Competitive Application
If you are considering applying for the McDonald Fellowship (2026), these strategies can help:
- Start early — especially with host identification: Reaching out to potential supervisors in advance, sharing your research interests, and seeking their willingness to host takes time; don’t wait until deadline approaches.
- Design a realistic, high-impact project: Ensure research questions are clear, methodology feasible within two years, and expected outcomes tangible (papers, protocols, capacity building).
- Write a compelling lay summary: Make your project accessible to non-specialists — explain why it matters for MS patients, communities, global health. This helps reviewers see broader impact and social value.
- Secure strong references and host statements: Ask referees and host early — give them deadlines well in advance. A weak or late reference can disqualify.
- Demonstrate return commitment: Show how you will use the fellowship to benefit your home country: building research programs, training others, improving care systems, setting up registries, advocating for MS, etc.
- Plan relocation and reintegration: Visa, travel, accommodation, living costs, institutional support at home — ensure these are feasible before applying.
Conclusion
If you are an early-career MS researcher based in an LMIC and you want two years of immersive training at a top international centre (potentially in Spain), the McDonald Fellowship is a transformative opportunity: generous funding, institutional support, and a clear focus on building capacity that will last beyond the fellowship. The application is competitive and requires a solid host match and a realistic two-year plan, but the return — both for your career and for MS care in your country — can be huge.