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.
Requirements
All candidates must:
- Be educated to post graduate level (at least MSc, preferably PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis
- Be citizens of a low- or middle-income country (all countries with a low, lower middle or upper middle income as defined by the World Bank)*
- Focus their research in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis
Candidates must also be in one of the following situations:
- 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
Candidates are expected to return to their own countries at the end of the study period where they will contribute to advancing care and research in MS.
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.
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.
Method of Application:
- Complete all sections of the online application form
- The Host needs to provide a supporting statement at the end of the application*
- Add names and contact details of 3 referees, including the applicant’s current supervisor or employer
- Ask referees to submit reference letters to research{at}msif{dot}org before the deadline
*The host supporting statement is filled in once the Applicant has submitted their application. The proposed host will then be emailed with instructions to fill in the supporting statement in the application form in text only. This must be done before the deadline.
The application deadline, including the online form, reference letters, and supporting statement from the host, is June 30, 2021.
You must submit your application with sufficient time for the proposed host to read through your application and provide a supporting statement. It is advised to give at least two weeks for your host to complete this. Equally, you must ask your referees to send a reference letter to research{at}msif{dot}org before the deadline. Applications will be rejected if host statement or references are not received before 30 June.
- Deadline of application: 30 June
- Deadline of Host Supporting Statement: 30 June
- Deadline of References: 30 June\
Application Deadline: 30 June 2021
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