Finding a way to stop MS, restore function and end MS forever will require a cadre of well-trained scientists engaged in MS-related research. The Society’s Career Transition Fellowship addresses this need by fostering the development and productivity of young scientists who have potential to make significant contributions to MS research and help ensure the future and stability of MS research. The Career Transition Fellowship targets current postdoctoral trainees who demonstrate both commitment and exceptional potential to conduct MS-related research. The award provides approximately $550,000 over five years to support a two-year period of advanced postdoctoral training in MS research and the first three years of research support in a new faculty appointment.
The application process for this award involves two levels of review, preliminary and full applications. To submit a proposal for research support, investigators must first register with our Apply Online site (https://nmss.fluxx.io) and complete a pre-application. Staff will review the pre-application to determine whether the research plan is appropriate and relevant to our goals.
Deadline 2019: Preliminary application due May 8; Full application due August 21
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent) and must be in a research-oriented postdoctoral training program at an academic, government, or non-profit research institution. Individuals with less than two or more than four years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application are ineligible for this award. Clinically related training periods such as medical residencies or sub-specialty fellowships will not be counted towards postdoctoral research experience.
Citizenship: There are no citizenship requirements for individuals applying from U.S. institutions. However, individuals seeking support for advanced postdoctoral training at foreign institutions must be U.S. citizens.
Advanced Postdoctoral Period: The applicant must arrange for the proposed advanced postdoctoral training with an appropriate mentor and institution prior to submitting an application. Whether this phase is proposed to occur with the applicant’s current mentor and institution or take place with a new mentor and institution, the plan should demonstrate that new training will be obtained.
Faculty Support Period: The recipient of this fellowship must secure a faculty position at a research institution in the U.S. or abroad prior to completion of the two-year advanced training period. The faculty appointment may be at the same institution used for the advanced training period, providing that independence is demonstrated, or may be at a new institution.
