MS International Federation Grants For PHD Students

Applications for the 2023 Du Pré Grants are now open.

For prospective 2023 applicants, please read this text before continuing:

We urge all applicants to consider their projects and hosts for the 2023 round. Finding a host can take several months. Please contact our research team to discuss the topic of your research proposal before you apply, using the contact us form, selecting “Research grants and awards”.

Please do not use this contact form if you are not working in the field of multiple sclerosis. Only applications in the field of multiple sclerosis are considered. Please ensure you have read the full eligibility criteria on this page before enquiring.

What is the Du Pré Grant?

The MSIF Du Pré Grant enables multiple sclerosis researchers and clinicians from low- and middle-income countries to make short visits (up to six months) to established MS research centres, outside of their own country. *For 2023 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. This benefits care for people with MS and supports collaborative research. Following the award, we expect applicants to use the newly developed expertise and networks, and continue MS research and/or clinical practice in low- and middle-income countries.

Visits may last between two and six months. Each grant is up to a maximum of £6,000 GBP, to cover the cost of travel and living expenses or to top up an existing grant to extend a visit. *For 2023 we are more flexible on the use of funds if virtual or local projects are proposed, but this must be agreed upon in the project proposal.

Please note:

This is a joint application from the applicant and host. Before nomination, candidates need to have identified a suitable project and host supervisor at an institution outside of their own country.

*For 2023, the host can also be identified within the applicant’s home country or neighbouring countries (if travel laws allow it in the country), provided there are sufficient resources (e.g. equipment, reagents…) and mentorship as well as an opportunity to learn new expertise and techniques.

A project host must be agreed before commencing the application. The deadline for the host statement is the same as the entire application: 30 June, 2023.

Who is eligible?

All candidates must:

Be educated to post graduate level (at least MSc, but preferably PhD/MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis (MS)
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 proposal 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
Not been awarded a McDonald Fellowship previously. Those who previously have held a Du Pré grant are eligible to subsequently apply for a McDonald Fellowship, but not the other way round.

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. A strong plan of how to continue one’s work after the award has ended is recommended.

The grant may also be used as a supplement for work related to MS by a candidate who has been accepted for training in a recognised institute (within the six months prior to nomination) but who doesn’t have enough money to cover the total cost.

Candidates and Host supervisors are required to read and sign the Terms and Conditions of the award (see below).

Expanded eligibility criteria

The 2022 Du Pré Grant 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 Du Pré Grants are 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

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 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.

These conditions will only change for the 2023 Awards round.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our research team using the contact us form, selecting “Research grants and awards”.

How to apply:

Identify your project and field of interest.
Contact and agree project proposal with a host (project supervisor in a lab or clinic).
If you do not have a host, contact the research team for advice as soon as possible.
Applicant completes all sections of the online application form.
After Applicant submits, the Host is contacted to submit a supporting statement using the same application form
Applicant asks the two referees to send their reference letters to research{/at)}msif{.dot/}org well before 30 June deadline
Applicants must read the Terms and Conditions of the Award to understand requirements around reporting and payments.
Applicants should pay close attention to the lay summary of the application. Advice on how to write a lay summary can be found at the bottom of this page.

*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.

What is the deadline?

The application deadline, including the online application form, reference letters, and supporting statement from the host, is 30 June 2023.

You must submit your application with sufficient time for the proposed host to read through your application and provide a supporting statement. Allow 2-4 weeks for your host to complete this. Equally, you must ask both your referees to send one reference letter each 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

Applicants will be informed of their application’s outcome in October.