Research Fellowship

Providing opportunities and support needed to develop high-quality research projects in either translational or clinical research.

The ESMO Leadership Development Committee will select the type of fellowship (translational or clinical) based on the submitted project with extension possible for a second year on committee approval.

Depending on the focus of the fellowship young oncologists are offered the following research experience:

Translational

Comprehensive bench-to-bedside training providing the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in translational cancer research. European centres of excellence serve as host institutes providing the necessary support to develop specific high-quality translational research projects in oncology and helps fellows gain valuable international experience. 

Aim:

• Provide training in translational research in European centres with an international reputation in the field
• Improve career development through collaboration with European institutions of excellence
• Provide the necessary support to develop specific high-quality translational research projects in oncology

Clinical

Offering valuable training in clinical research in renowned European cancer centres and supports efforts to expand professional networks through collaboration with institutions of excellence. The fellowship provides the necessary support to develop clinical research projects and the opportunity to further enhance professional skills and competencies in oncology. 

Aim:

• Provide training in clinical research in renowned European cancer centres
• Support efforts to expand professional networks through collaboration with institutions of excellence
• Provide the necessary support to develop clinical oncology research projects

Read the reports from the previous awardees

Amount and duration   

• The fellow will receive 50,000€ for a one-year project.
• The host institutes will receive 1,000€ to cover administration costs.

Second-year prolongation is available upon request and subsequent approval by the Leadership Development Committee.

Download the request form

Application requirements

Please read the full Guidelines and Application Instructions for Research Fellowships before starting your application.

Applicants must satisfy all the below criteria:

• Be an ESMO member AND age 40 or under at the time of application
• Be a fully qualified oncologist (or in advanced phase of training) - medical, radiation or clinical oncologist - and currently engaged in cancer research or clinical oncology practice.
• Be proficient in English and/or in the community language of the host institute.

Application must include:

• Completed online application form
• CV and list of publications and presentations (templates supplied)
  • Your CV should be no more than three A4 pages. Please clearly indicate your current position in your CV.
  • In addition, you should also include a list of publications and presentations (numbered and no more than one and a half A4 pages).
    • Publications should be limited to the top 15 in terms of impact factor – please list them according to impact factor (highest to lowest) and also include the impact factor for each publication.
    • At the end of the publication list, please include the total number of publications as first or last author and the total number of publications as co-author.
    • Presentations should be limited to the last five years.

• Research proposal, including research strategy, aims, and timelines (template supplied)
• Motivation letter, including project goals and how the acquired techniques will be used in your home institute/country. This should be a maximum of 2 pages in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.
• Acceptance letter (max 1 page) from the person responsible for the project at the host facility (mentor). The letter must be dated and signed on the official letterhead of the institute.
• Recommendation letter (max 1 page) from the applicant’s department head at the home institute. The letter must be dated and signed on the official letterhead of the institute.

Please note: All documents uploaded should be labeled with the applicant's last name.

Application review process:

Applications are reviewed by the ESMO Leadership Development Committee. The committee will evaluate and score all aspects of the application and focus on the following:

• The overall quality of the application
• Research project: the overall strategy, methodology, and proposed analyses of the research data and appropriateness to accomplish the specific aims within the grant term and motivation letter
• The extent and level of previous training
• Other professional experience and publications
• Feasibility of the project given the time frame and the budget

The ESMO Leadership Development Committee will select which Research Fellowship the applicant will receive, which can be either translational or clinical.  

The applicant’s supervisors in both the host and home institute should preferably be full ESMO members.