The McDonald Fellowship enables early-career multiple sclerosis researchers from low- and middle-income countries to work at a research institution outside of their home country. Participants either pick up new skills or complete portions of collaborative research projects during the visit.

They anticipate that recipients of the prize will be able to continue their MS research and/or patient treatment in low- and middle-income nations by utilizing their newly acquired networks and knowledge.

One fellowship, known as the MSIF-ECTRIMS McDonald Fellowship, is given out in collaboration with ECTRIMS. In collaboration with ARSEP, The Fondation pour l’Aide à la Recherche sur la Sclérose En Plaques, a member of MSIF, another fellowship is given out. The MSIF-ARSEP McDonald Fellowship is the name of this program.

Key Details

• Application deadline: June 30, 2024
• Provided by: MS International Federation
• Announcement date: September
• Gender: Any
• Type: Fellowship
• Eligible Countries: Low and Middle-income Countries (Afghanistan Included)

Benefits

• The winning candidate will get up to 30,000 pounds annually to cover all living and travel expenses;
• In addition, the host institution will receive 2,000 pounds.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The applicant must choose a project that fits their needs and find a host supervisor in a foreign university;
• The candidate must have finished postgraduate work in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS); a master’s degree or doctorate is preferred.
• The applicant must be a citizen of one of the World Bank’s designated low- or middle-income nations. (See the list here);
• At the time of application, the candidate must be enrolled in school or employed in a nation with a low or intermediate income;
• Working on a project that was initiated during the six months prior to the applicant’s nomination while studying or working abroad;
• The candidate is working on a project funded by an MS International Federation grant while studying abroad;
• After the program is over, the applicant must promise to return to their native nations;
• The terms and conditions of the award must be signed by the applicant and the host supervisors;

Required Documents:

• Decide on your project and interest area.
• Make contact with your host (the project supervisor in a lab or clinic) and work out a project proposal together.
• The applicant fills out the online application form in its entirety.
• Following submission, the Host is requested to use the same application form to send a supporting statement.
• Before the deadline of June 30th, the applicant requests that the three referees email their letters of recommendation to [email protected].
• In order to comprehend the guidelines for reporting and payments, applicants must read the Award’s Terms and Conditions.
• The application’s lay summary is something that applicants should carefully read. (Read about lay summary below)

Note: After the applicant has submitted their application, the host supporting statement is completed. The recommended host will receive an email including instructions on how to complete the supporting statement in the application form using just text. This must be done by the deadline.

Lay Summary

The application’s 500-word lay summary is a crucial part.

Provide some background information and introduce your study topic at the beginning of your lay summary. Describe the topic of your research and its significance. Next, describe the precise issue that your research project seeks to resolve—for example, a gap in the literature, a dispute in science, etc. Finally, briefly describe the implications of your research for MS patients.

• Simplify your wording: When describing your research project, use straightforward, ordinary language. Steer clear of employing complex terms and expressions that could be hard for a 12-year-old to comprehend. Certain terms, such “demyelination,” “myelin,” and “remyelination,” are uncommon and need to be defined.
• Give specific examples: Give specific instances to support your research suggestion. This will make it easier for the reader to understand the research proposal.
• Make use of analogies Make use of analogies to clarify complex ideas. The brain and nerves, for instance, resemble a computer’s wiring, which is protected by myelin, the plastic covering that surrounds electrical connections.
• Define technical words: Be sure to provide a clear definition of any technical phrases you utilize.
• Keep things brief and straightforward: Use all 500 words, but don’t stray from the main ideas or go into excessive detail. Make an effort to get the big picture.
• Try it out: Make sure your summary is understandable to a non-MS educated friend, family member, or coworker before sending it in. If not, make changes until the summary is understandable and unambiguous.
• Before submitting, feel free to provide the MSIF research team with a short synopsis.

What evidence of results is needed?

• The fellowship requires that a brief report be turned in at the conclusion of the first year. Funding for the second year is contingent upon this report’s submission. Following the fellowship, a final report and an itemized list of expenses must be submitted. It is also necessary to submit electronic versions of any reports, articles, abstracts, and posters that came from the visit. Research sponsored by the McDonald Fellowship should be acknowledged in papers generated as a result of or in connection with it. The website address of the MS International Federation is here.

How to Apply?

You have to give the prospective host enough time to review your application and offer a statement of support before submitting it. It is recommended that you let your host at least two weeks to finish this. Likewise, you need to request that your references submit a letter of recommendation to [email protected] prior to the deadline. If the host statement and references are not received by June 30th, applications will be rejected.

                           Apply Now

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For more information, please visit the official link.