Applications are now open for the ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme 2027, a funded research opportunity for early-career scientists and physicians interested in advancing research related to multiple sclerosis (MS).
The programme is offered by ECTRIMS, the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, and supports one- or two-year postdoctoral fellowships in European laboratories or clinics.
Scientists and physicians of any nationality can apply, provided they hold an MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent qualification by the time of application and propose research directly related to multiple sclerosis.
The application deadline for the 2027 fellowship cycle is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme |
| Research area | Multiple sclerosis |
| Fellowship type | Postdoctoral research |
| Duration | 1 or 2 years |
| Funding | Funded fellowship |
| Host location | European laboratory or clinic |
| Nationality | Open to all nationalities |
| Eligible qualifications | MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent |
| Research type | Basic, clinical or applied MS research |
| Application status | Open |
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Deadline time | 23:59 CET |
| Application format | Online |
| Document format | |
| Fellowship start | Must begin before the end of the award calendar year |
About ECTRIMS
ECTRIMS is a professional organisation dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Through its research fellowship programme, ECTRIMS aims to strengthen the international community of scientists working on MS by supporting advanced research training and encouraging the exchange of knowledge between researchers, institutions and clinical environments.
The fellowship programme is designed to help develop a larger pool of highly trained scientists capable of addressing important questions surrounding the biology, diagnosis, treatment and care of people affected by multiple sclerosis.
What Is the ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship?
The ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme provides research training opportunities for young neuroscientists, scientists and physicians working in areas connected to multiple sclerosis.
The programme supports fellows undertaking:
- Basic research
- Clinical research
- Applied research
All proposed projects must relate directly to multiple sclerosis.
Fellows receive research training under the supervision of an experienced mentor at a laboratory or clinic located in Europe.
Applications Are Now Open for the 2027 Fellowship Programme
ECTRIMS confirms that the application period for the 2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme is now open.
Applications must be submitted by:
1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET
Candidates interested in participating should begin preparing their research proposal and supporting documents early because the application involves materials from several individuals and institutions.
Who Can Apply for the ECTRIMS Fellowship?
The fellowship is open to scientists and physicians who hold one of the following qualifications:
- MD
- PhD
- ScD
- Equivalent doctoral-level qualification
The qualifying degree must already have been obtained by the time the application is submitted.
This means applicants who have not yet completed the required qualification by the application date would not meet the stated requirement.
Can International Applicants Apply?
Yes.
ECTRIMS explicitly states that citizens of any country are eligible to apply.
This makes the fellowship accessible to researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania and other regions.
However, there is an important geographical condition.
The fellowship research training must take place in a European laboratory or clinic.
International applicants therefore need to identify an appropriate European host institution and mentor when developing their application.
Where Must the Fellowship Be Conducted?
Research training must be undertaken at a laboratory or clinic in Europe.
The fellowship is therefore not restricted to European citizens, but the physical research placement itself must be based within Europe.
Applicants should identify a host institution capable of supporting their proposed research and providing appropriate scientific mentorship.
What Research Areas Are Eligible?
All proposed research must be related to multiple sclerosis.
ECTRIMS allows research from any relevant specialty or scientific field as long as the proposed work contributes directly to MS research.
Potential areas may include basic, clinical or applied research.
Because the programme does not restrict applications to one specific scientific discipline, researchers working across different areas of neuroscience, medicine or related fields may be able to apply if their project is clearly focused on MS.
Basic Multiple Sclerosis Research
Researchers interested in understanding the biological mechanisms underlying MS may consider projects falling under basic research.
These projects may focus on laboratory-based questions associated with disease development, neurological processes or mechanisms relevant to multiple sclerosis.
The exact project must be developed with the proposed mentor and host institution.
Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Research
Clinical researchers and physicians may also apply.
Clinical research could involve questions relevant to patients, disease management, treatment approaches, clinical outcomes or other areas directly connected to MS.
ECTRIMS states that both scientists and physicians are eligible for the programme.
Applied MS Research
Applied research is also eligible under the programme.
This provides opportunities for researchers whose work aims to translate scientific knowledge into practical approaches for improving understanding, treatment or care related to multiple sclerosis.
Fellowship Duration
Successful candidates may receive either a:
One-year fellowship
or
Two-year fellowship.
The duration will depend on the approved fellowship arrangement and research project.
Both options involve mentored research training at a European laboratory or clinic.
Is the ECTRIMS Fellowship Funded?
Yes.
ECTRIMS describes the programme as providing one- or two-year funded fellowships.
However, the supplied programme information does not state the exact fellowship amount, monthly stipend, salary or detailed financial package.
Applicants should therefore consult the official fellowship guide for the current funding terms.
What Costs Does the Fellowship Cover?
The supplied programme page confirms that the fellowship is funded but does not provide a full breakdown of the financial package.
It does not specify on the supplied page:
- Monthly stipend
- Housing allowance
- Travel support
- Insurance
- Relocation costs
- Research expenses
- Family support
Applicants should use the current fellowship description and guide for detailed financial information.
Important Host Institution Rule
Applicants should pay close attention to one of the programme’s key eligibility conditions.
At the time of application, candidates should not have worked in any capacity at the same institution and/or under the same mentor proposed in the fellowship application.
This requirement is important because the programme is intended to promote research training, mobility and exchange.
Applicants therefore need to select a host environment that represents a new training opportunity rather than simply continuing within their existing workplace or supervisory relationship.
Why Research Mobility Matters
A major goal of the fellowship is to increase the exchange of information and strengthen the international pool of researchers working on multiple sclerosis.
Moving to a new laboratory or clinic can give early-career researchers exposure to:
- New research methodologies
- Different scientific perspectives
- International research networks
- New technologies
- Different clinical environments
- New mentoring relationships
This mobility component is therefore central to the programme.
Application Documents Required
The ECTRIMS application requires supporting documents from several sources.
Materials are required from:
- The applicant
- The proposed mentor
- The proposed host training institution
- Professional referees
The applicant is responsible for collecting all required supporting documents and ensuring that they are submitted correctly through the online application system.
File Format Requirement
All application documents must be submitted as PDF files.
Candidates should therefore prepare and convert their documents before beginning the final application submission.
It is also advisable to verify that each PDF is readable, complete and correctly named before uploading.
Role of the Proposed Mentor
Applicants must identify a proposed mentor as part of their fellowship plan.
The mentor will supervise the fellow’s research training and play an important role in the scientific development of the project.
Because the application includes documentation from the proposed mentor, candidates should establish contact with potential supervisors well before the December deadline.
Waiting until the final weeks may make it difficult to coordinate the required documents.
Mentor Application Restriction
ECTRIMS also applies a restriction to mentors.
The same mentor may not be proposed in more than one application per cycle across all fellowship categories combined.
This means researchers should confirm early whether their intended mentor is already supporting another fellowship applicant.
Institutional Award Limits
Host institutions are not restricted in the number of applications they can submit.
However, ECTRIMS imposes limits on the number of awards an institution can ultimately receive during an award cycle.
An institute may receive:
Up to three awards in total across all fellowship categories
and
Only one award within any individual fellowship category.
These rules apply to awards rather than to the initial number of applications.
Fellowship Start Date Requirement
Successful fellows must begin their fellowship before the end of the calendar year in which the fellowship is awarded.
Applicants should therefore consider their availability, relocation requirements and host institution arrangements when planning their application.
Reporting Requirements
Successful fellows and their mentors are required to provide reports at the end of each fellowship year.
These include:
Progress reports
and
Financial accounting reports.
This ensures that ECTRIMS can track the research progress and appropriate use of fellowship funding.
For two-year fellows, reporting obligations apply at the end of each year.
How to Prepare a Strong ECTRIMS Fellowship Application
Applicants should start by developing a clear and scientifically relevant multiple sclerosis research question.
Step 1 — Confirm Your Degree Eligibility
Make sure you will hold an MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent qualification by the application deadline.
Step 2 — Define Your MS Research Project
Your proposed project must relate directly to multiple sclerosis.
The project can involve basic, clinical or applied research.
Step 3 — Identify a European Host Institution
Research must take place in a European laboratory or clinic.
Candidates should therefore identify institutions with strong expertise relevant to their proposed project.
Step 4 — Find an Eligible Mentor
Approach a potential mentor who can supervise your research.
Remember that applicants should not already be working at the proposed institution or under the proposed mentor at the time of application.
Step 5 — Confirm Your Mentor’s Availability
Because the same mentor cannot appear in more than one application during the same cycle, confirm that the mentor is available to support your fellowship application.
Step 6 — Prepare Your Application Materials
Collect the required documents from yourself, your mentor, the host institution and professional referees.
Step 7 — Convert Documents to PDF
ECTRIMS requires supporting documents to be submitted in PDF format.
Step 8 — Submit Through the Online System
Applications must be completed through the official ECTRIMS fellowship application platform.
Apply for the ECTRIMS Fellowship Programme
ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Application Deadline
The deadline is:
1 December 2026
Applications must be submitted no later than:
23:59 CET
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because the process requires coordination with mentors, host institutions and professional referees.
When Should Successful Fellows Start?
Successful fellows must begin their fellowship before the end of the calendar year in which the fellowship has been awarded.
Candidates should therefore plan around possible relocation to Europe, institutional onboarding requirements and other administrative arrangements.
Why the ECTRIMS Fellowship Is Worth Considering
The ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship offers several valuable features for scientists beginning or developing careers in multiple sclerosis research.
It combines:
- One- or two-year funded research support
- International eligibility
- Training at European research institutions
- Scientific mentorship
- Basic, clinical and applied research opportunities
- Research mobility
- International professional networking
For early-career researchers hoping to establish themselves in MS research, the programme can provide an opportunity to work in a new scientific environment while developing specialist expertise.
Opportunities for Young Neuroscientists
ECTRIMS specifically describes the fellowship as an opportunity for young neuroscientists.
Researchers aiming to build careers in neuroscience can use the fellowship to gain specialised training related to multiple sclerosis while working alongside experienced European scientists and clinicians.
This can potentially strengthen their research portfolio, publication experience and international collaboration network.
Opportunities for Physicians
The programme is also open to qualified physicians.
Applicants holding an MD can propose projects related to clinical, applied or other MS research fields.
This makes the fellowship relevant to doctors interested in moving deeper into academic medicine, neurology, clinical research or translational research related to multiple sclerosis.
2026 Fellowship Recipients
ECTRIMS has also published information about the 2026 Research Fellowship recipients.
According to the organisation, those early-career MS professionals were selected based on their strong research achievements and innovative proposals aimed at advancing MS research, treatment and care.
This provides prospective applicants with an indication of the emphasis ECTRIMS places on both research quality and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship?
It is a funded postdoctoral research programme supporting scientists and physicians conducting research related to multiple sclerosis in European laboratories or clinics.
Are applications open for 2027?
Yes. Applications for the 2027 fellowship programme are currently open.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Who can apply?
Scientists and physicians holding an MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent qualification can apply.
Can applicants from Africa apply?
Yes. ECTRIMS states that citizens of any country are eligible.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. The fellowship is open to candidates of all nationalities.
Does the applicant need to be European?
No. Applicants can be citizens of any country.
Where must the research take place?
The fellowship research must be conducted at a European laboratory or clinic.
Is the fellowship funded?
Yes. ECTRIMS describes the opportunities as one- or two-year funded fellowships.
How much is the fellowship worth?
The supplied programme page does not provide the exact funding amount. Applicants should review the official fellowship guide for the latest financial details.
How long does the fellowship last?
Applicants can undertake either a one-year or two-year fellowship.
What research areas are accepted?
Research must be related to multiple sclerosis and may involve basic, clinical or applied research in any relevant specialty or field.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants need an MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent degree, which must be obtained by the time they apply.
Can I apply to remain at my current institution?
The programme states that applicants should not have worked in any capacity at the same institution or under the same mentor being proposed for the fellowship.
What documents are needed?
The application includes documents from the candidate, proposed mentor, proposed host training institution and professional referees.
What document format is required?
All supporting documents must be submitted as PDFs.
Can one mentor support several applications?
No. The same mentor cannot be proposed in more than one application during the same cycle across all categories combined.
Final Thoughts
The ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027 offers an important funded opportunity for early-career scientists and physicians who want to build specialist research expertise in multiple sclerosis.
Open to applicants of any nationality, the programme provides either one or two years of funded research training at a European laboratory or clinic.
Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, ScD or equivalent qualification by the time of application, and their proposed research must focus on multiple sclerosis through basic, clinical or applied research.
One of the programme’s most important requirements is research mobility. Applicants should not already be working at the proposed host institution or under the proposed mentor when submitting their fellowship application.
Because the application requires supporting documents from the candidate, mentor, host institution and professional referees, prospective applicants should begin preparing well ahead of the 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET deadline.
Researchers seeking funded international postdoctoral training, European research experience and specialised career development in multiple sclerosis research should consider exploring the 2027 ECTRIMS fellowship programme.
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