Fellowships for MS researchers

MS groups have come together to fund a senior Australian or British multiple sclerosis researcher to undertake fulltime research and training for up to three years.

The first Australian and United Kingdom (UK) Fellowship Exchange has been set up by the MS Society of UK and the Macquarie Group Foundation, along with MS Research Australia, to strengthen collaboration in both countries.

The fellowship is worth $324,000 over three years, to commence in 2009. Applications close on May 30.

NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth welcomed the fellowship, which she said will benefit both Australia and the UK through the international sharing of knowledge and skills.

"I congratulate this initiative to help talented Australian researchers collaborate with the UK's best scientists on a cure for MS," Firth said.

"Our NSW Office for Science and Medical Research is also sponsoring a $10,000 award for medical research into MS as part of this year's Australian Museum Eureka Prizes awards in August."

MS Research Australia has also announced its annual round of funding is open. Ongoing research grants for MS researchers are available, including a series of scholarships, fellowships and project grants.

For more information, see www.msra.org.au