Du Pré Grants

MSIF offers Du Pré Grants to young MS researchers from emerging countries* to enable them to undertake short visits to established MS research centres, either to learn more from each other or to carry out parts of joint research projects.

The aim is to encourage cross-fertilisation of skills through collaborative research projects.

Each grant is likely to be between UK£2,000 and UK£4,000, to a maximum grant of UK£5,000. The funds are intended to contribute towards travel and living costs or to top-up an existing grant to extend a visit.

The duration of the visits are generally between two and six months. MSIF can provide about ten grants, over the spring and autumn rounds, per calendar year.

Eligibility

• Individuals, preferably young researchers from emerging countries*, who are directly involved in an MS research project are eligible for nomination.
• Before nomination, candidates need to have identified a suitable project and discussed their involvement with the project supervisor of the host institution.
• Candidates should travel to an established MS Research centre in another country.

 
* - Emerging countries are all countries with a low, lower middle or upper middle income as defined by the World Bank. Click here

Nomination of candidates

• Completed Nomination form - a  2013 Du Pre Grant Nomination Form must be completed for each nomination and enclosed with the above documents.
• Candidate letter - a letter from the candidate detailing their reasons for applying, the duration of the project and the requested grant amount.
• Curriculum vitae of candidate
• References - signed letters from at least two people with whom the candidate has worked (academic referees).
• Project proposal - a description of the field of research that the candidate wishes to be trained in or the research project that he or she wishes to carry out. This should be written by the applicant and should be a maximum of four A4 pages including the background to project, aims and methodology to be used. A list of references should be added as an appendix which may also include figures.
• Host letter - signed letter of support from the project supervisor of the host institution, indicating that appropriate facilities will be made available. The letter should be on institution-headed notepaper.

Candidates are required to submit all the above documents by email to  Dhia Chandraratna by the deadline stated below.

Deadline

Du Pré Grants are offered twice a year but nominations can be received at any time.

1st round deadline is 15 February 2013.
2nd round deadline is 30 June 2013.

Evidence of results

After a Du Pré Grant has been awarded and the research taken place, a short report and expenditure summary will be required for submission to the Du Pré Grant Work Group. Electronic copies of reports, papers, abstracts and posters resulting from the visit should also be submitted.

Papers produced as a result of or in connection with Du Pré Grant funded research should acknowledge the MSIF Du Pré Grant. If possible, such acknowledgements should also reference MSIF's website.

Selection

The members of the MSIF International Medical and Scientific Board's (IMSB) Du Pré Grant Work Group consider and select successful candidates.

The 1st round 2013 award recipients will be announced on the week beginning 29 April.

The 2nd round 2013 award recipients will be announced on the week beginning 21 October.