Professional Careers in MS

For students and professionals interested in MS clinical care, the National MS Society is your partner no matter where you are in your training or career:

• Undergraduate or high school students who would like to know more about a career in MS clinical care should read the American Academy of Neurology’s Your Career in Neurology for a step-by-step guide and our webpage that outlines the role of each member of the MS healthcare team. Speak to your school counselor or academic advisor for help implementing next steps which may include networking with and shadowing neurologists or MS specialists.
• Medical students and psychology graduate students interested in MS should apply to our mentorship programs. This annual program consists of a virtual didactic followed by an in-person mentorship at an MS clinic.
• Neurology residents interested in an MS fellowship can view a list of MS fellowship programs offered across the country on the ACTRIMS website. If you have secured a fellowship and need to apply for funding, review the Society’s clinical care and clinical research fellowship programs.
• Current MS fellows looking for an exciting professional education experience can attend the Society’s MS Clinical Fellows Complex Case Webinar to hear difficult cases of MS presented by other fellows. The webinar is facilitated by a distinguished faculty of MS specialists from around the U.S.
• Neurologists and other clinicians looking for continuing education opportunities can visit our Professional Education page and sign up to receive email communications from the Society for information on future education events.

Since its founding by Sylvia Lawry in 1946, the Society has been at the core of virtually every major breakthrough in treating and understanding the disease. The National MS Society understands that continued breakthroughs and the end of the devastating effects of MS will require teams of well-trained scientists engaged in MS-related research. If you are interested in pursuing a career in MS-related research, please explore the resources below.

• Undergraduate or high school students who are interested in conducting MS-related research may find it beneficial to gain experience in MS research as early as possible through an internship opportunity. Please see our Finding a Science Internship: Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for tips on finding and being successful in a science internship. Your school counselor and/or academic advisor may also have suggestions for steps you can take to gain MS-related research experience and how to set yourself up for a successful research career.
• Graduate students in the field of MS, should continue to build a network of mentors and peers to stay connected in the field and prepare for the next steps after graduate school. Graduate students interested in transitioning to MS-related research from a different field should reach out to researchers in the field of MS that they are interested to begin to begin to create an MS network. Attending scientific conferences and workshops focused on MS is a great way to make connections in the field. Additionally, graduate students can stay up to date in MS research by reading research published in MS-related professional journals. Graduate students can explore the different types of research being conducted in MS, including research funded by the National MS Society.
• Postdoctoral/post-residency and early career researchers can explore the Society’s fellowship and training award funding programs that are designed to increase the MS research workforce by fostering the development and productivity of young scientists who have the potential to make significant contributions to MS research. The Society supports fundamental as well as applied studies, non-clinical or clinical in nature, including projects in patient management, care, and rehabilitation.
• Established MS researchers can also receive support from the Society for MS-related research projects. The Society supports the brightest scientists and physicians exploring questions with the goal of stopping MS, restoring function, and ending MS forever. The Society offers a spectrum of funding opportunities and other resources to support MS investigators. MS research is a high priority for the Society, and we strategically invest in research worldwide to drive solutions for every single person with MS.

The pace of research in MS is unparalleled in the neurological and immune-mediated disease world. The National MS Society recognizes that the complexity of MS necessitates a comprehensive approach that will uncover solutions for everyone:

• a research strategy that can fuel knowledge and speed better treatments,
• new disease-modifying and symptom-management therapies, and
• international collaboration and focus on progressive MS.

Learn about other opportunities to get involved with the Society.

• Professional Calendar
• Professional Resource Center
• Research News & Progress
• American Academy of Neurology
• Finding a Science Internship: Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Additional information on training programs and research funding:

• Clinical Fellowships and Grants
• Other Training Grants and Fellowships
• Society funding for research and training

• Consortium of MS Centers Career Center
• American Academy of Neurology Career Center

Sign up to receive email from the Society for healthcare providers.