The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) is now calling for Applications for the 2023 Du Pré Grants Program. The Du Pré Grant is a program that enables multiple sclerosis researchers and clinicians from low- and middle-income countries to make short visits (up to six months) to established MS research centers, outside of their own country (For 2023 they 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, applicants are to use the newly developed expertise and networks, to continue MS research and/or clinical practice in low- and middle-income countries.
To apply, consider your project and host first because finding a host can take several months. Also, contact the research team through contact us to discuss the topic of your research proposal before you apply. Use “Research grants and awards” as your inquiry answer on the form. Please note that the contact form is only for people working in the field of multiple sclerosis.
Eligibility:
⦁ You must be educated to post-graduate level (at least MSc, but preferably Ph.D./MD) in an area relevant to multiple sclerosis (MS)
⦁ You must be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country (all countries with a low, lower-middle, or upper-middle income as defined by the World Bank)
⦁ Must Focus your research proposal on an area relevant to multiple sclerosis
⦁ Must be 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
⦁ Must be Working or studying in another country on a project which started within the six months prior to nomination
⦁ Must be Studying in another country on a project supported by an MS International Federation grant
⦁ Must not have 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 around.
Project format
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. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively together with their proposed hosts about potential solutions.
A project may be:
i. In a research institute/hospital abroad if travel permits (as in previous years)
ii. In a research institute/hospital in your home country
iii. A virtual project, either in full or in part with host institution mentoring
Projects are only accepted if the 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 Process
⦁ Identify your project and field of interest.
⦁ Contact and agree on a 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 the Applicant submits, the Host is contacted to submit a supporting statement using the same application form
⦁ Applicants should ask the two referees to send their reference letters to research{/at)}msif{.dot/}org well before the 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. (Check below to see Advice on how to write a lay summary)
⦁ 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 the host statements or references are not received before 30 June.
Deadline:
⦁ A project host must be agreed upon before commencing the application. The deadline for the host statement is the same as the entire application: 30 June 2023.
⦁ Deadline for application: 30 June
⦁ Deadline of Host Supporting Statement: 30 June
⦁ Deadline for References: 30 June
Grant Information
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 they 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.
Lay Summary
An integral component of the application is the 500-word lay summary.
1. Start your lay summary by introducing your topic of research and providing some background. Introduce what your research area is about, and why it is important.
2. Explain the specific problem your research proposal aims to solve, e.g. a gap in the literature, a scientific conflict, etc.
3. Summarise what impact your research would have on people affected by MS.
4. Use simple everyday language to explain your research proposal. Avoid using complicated words and phrases that may be difficult for a 12-year-old to understand.
5. Use concrete examples to illustrate your research proposal. This will help the reader understand the research proposal more easily.
6. Use analogies to explain difficult concepts.
7. If you need to use technical terms, make sure to define them in simple language.
8. Keep it short and simple, focus on the key points, and avoid going into too much detail, but use all 500 words at your disposal. Try to capture the big picture.
9. Test it out before submitting your summary, test it out on a friend, family member, or colleague who is not educated in MS to see if they understand it. If not, make revisions until the summary is clear and easy to understand.
10. Feel free to share the lay summary with the MSIF research team before submitting it. (Contact details can be found inside the application form).
For more information, visit Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF)
