MEDEN

Programme Description

The joint fellowship between ECTRIMS and the MOGAD Eugene Devic European Network (MEDEN) aims to foster collaboration and research among clinicians and scientists across Europe, focusing on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte antibody associated disorder (MOGAD). This fellowship programme will enable the awarded applicant to gain research experience either in a priority project at one of six MEDEN network sites, or on a separate project as proposed by the applicant.

The MEDEN Committee will accept proposals for 1-year fellowships, either based on a priority research theme or on one of the 4 themed working groups within MEDEN (clinical, biomarkers, treatment, pregnancy), ensuring that research efforts align with the most urgent needs in the specialty. A jury, consisting of MEDEN leaders and an ECTRIMS representative, will select the fellowship recipient after a thorough review of applications.

This new joint fellowship effort is made possible in part by contributions from The Sumaira Foundation and Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

The application cycle for the 2027 programme will open in August 2026.

Programme details

This joint fellowship is supported by The Sumaira Foundation and Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease. ECTRIMS initiatives are funded in part by financial contributions from industry and NPO partners. Contact secretariat@ectrims.eu for information about how to support this or other initiatives.

Key Information

• For scientists and physicians of any nationality holding an MD, PhD, ScD, or equivalent, to provide mentored research training related to MS.

• 1-year funded fellowships

• Citizens of any country are eligible to apply to this programme. However, research must be undertaken within an institution in Europe that is either part of the MEDEN network or otherwise approved by the MEDEN Steering Committee.

• Research can be related to the targeted project for 2026, or another project related to MEDEN working groups.

• The application requires documents from the candidate, the proposed mentor, and the proposed host training institute, as well as other professional referees.

• Successful fellows and their mentors will be asked to provide progress and financial accounting reports at the end of each year

• Fellows will be asked to present the work related to their fellowship project and funding at one or more MEDEN meetings during the term of the fellowship.

• At the time of application, applicants should not have worked in any capacity at the same institution and/or under the same mentor as proposed in the fellowship application.

• The same mentor may not be proposed in more than 1 application per cycle, all fellowship categories combined.

• Institutes may be proposed on multiple applications, provided each application is supported by a different mentor. For the award phase, however, institutes will be limited to 3 awards total among all fellowship categories, with only 1 award in a given category.

A list of MEDEN network centres can be found on the MEDEN website or in the Programme Description.

2025 ECTRIMS-MEDEN Fellowship Recipient

These early-career MS professionals were selected for the ECTRIMS-MEDEN Fellowship Programme based on their outstanding research achievements, as well as their innovative proposals that aim to enhance research, treatment & care in the field of NMOSD, MOGAD and related fields.

MEDEN

Programme Description

Key Information

2025 ECTRIMS-MEDEN Fellowship Recipient

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