Multiple sclerosis affects more than 2.8 million people worldwide. The science behind it remains one of the most active research frontiers in neurology.
ECTRIMS has opened applications for its 2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme. The fellowship funds one or two years of mentored research training at a European laboratory or clinic. It is open to qualified applicants from any country in the world.
The deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027 |
| Duration | 1 or 2 years |
| Who can apply | Scientists and physicians of any nationality |
| Degree required | MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent already obtained |
| Research location | European laboratory or clinic |
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET |
What the Fellowship Funds
ECTRIMS designed this program for early career researchers who want to build or deepen expertise in MS research through immersive mentored training in a European scientific environment.
Fellows undertake funded research at their chosen European host institution. They work under an experienced mentor across basic science, clinical or applied research connected to multiple sclerosis.
The international setting is central. ECTRIMS frames the fellowship as a knowledge exchange experience not just a funding award.
Fellowships run for either one or two years. The duration depends on the proposed research scope and the conditions of the individual award. One firm requirement is that the fellowship must begin before the end of the calendar year in which it is awarded.
Plan your proposed start date carefully.
Open to Any Nationality with One Condition
The international scope is broad. Researchers based in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and Oceania are eligible alongside European candidates.
The condition is clear. The research training itself must take place at a laboratory or clinic in Europe. Applicants need to identify their proposed European host institution before applying. This is part of the application not something arranged afterward.
There is also a mobility requirement. At the time of application, candidates must not have previously worked in any capacity at the same institution or under the same mentor they are proposing. The fellowship supports genuine new research experiences not continued work in an already familiar environment.
If you have trained at an institution you would now like to propose as your host or if you have previously worked with your intended mentor you will need to identify a different pairing.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must hold one of the following at the time of submission:
- MD
- PhD
- ScD
- Equivalent doctoral level qualification
The qualifying degree must already be obtained when you apply. Candidates who are still completing their doctoral program are not eligible.
All proposed research must have a clear and direct connection to multiple sclerosis. ECTRIMS accepts proposals across scientific clinical and applied disciplines. The relevance to MS must be explicit and central to the proposal.
Choosing Your Host Institution and Mentor
This is where many applicants underinvest preparation time.
The application requires documentation not just from you but from your proposed mentor and host institution as well. References from other professional sources are also needed. All documents must be submitted in PDF format through the ECTRIMS online system.
Because you depend on other people’s contributions start the coordination process early. Contact your proposed mentor and host institution well before October. Confirm availability and their willingness to prepare the required materials on schedule. Then build your timeline backward from the 1 December deadline.
Three rules about mentors and institutions that applicants frequently miss:
- The same mentor cannot be proposed in more than one application per award cycle across all fellowship categories
- Host institutions are capped at a maximum of three awards per cycle across all fellowship categories
- An institution can receive only one award within any single fellowship category per cycle
Confirm with your proposed mentor and host that neither limit has already been reached before investing significant time in your proposal.
Reporting Responsibilities After the Award
Successful fellows and their mentors carry ongoing obligations throughout the fellowship period. At the end of each year both the fellow and the mentor are required to submit:
- A progress report
- Financial accounting documentation
Factor this into your conversations with prospective mentors during the application phase. A mentor who understands and accepts these responsibilities from the outset is better positioned to support you through the full period.
Building a Strong Application
The ECTRIMS fellowship evaluates both the quality of the proposed research and the training environment in which it will take place.
A few things consistently matter:
- Research relevance: The connection between your proposed project and multiple sclerosis must be explicit not implied. Reviewers should see immediately why this work matters for MS specifically.
- Mentor credibility: Your proposed mentor’s track record in MS research strengthens your application. A mentor who is actively publishing in your proposed area signals a functional training environment.
- Feasibility: The proposed timeline methodology and expected outputs should be realistic for a one or two year fellowship. Ambitious is good. Unrealistic undermines credibility.
- Your own trajectory: The fellowship is meant to advance your development as a researcher. The application should make clear how this specific training experience connects to where your career is heading.
Apply Now for ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Key Takeaways
- ECTRIMS is offering funded postdoctoral fellowships in multiple sclerosis research for 2027. Applications are open now
- The fellowship is open to scientists and physicians of any nationality holding an MD PhD ScD or equivalent degree
- Research must take place at a European laboratory or clinic. The host institution and mentor must be identified as part of the application
- Candidates cannot have previously worked at the proposed institution or under the proposed mentor
- Fellowships run for one or two years and must begin before the end of the calendar year in which they are awarded
- Applications require documentation from the applicant proposed mentor host institution and professional referees. Coordinate with all parties well before the deadline
- The same mentor cannot support more than one application per cycle. Host institutions are capped at three awards per cycle total
- Progress and financial reports are required at the end of each fellowship year
- Application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Begin preparing now. Do not leave mentor and institution coordination until late in the process