Shape your career: opportunities for Early Career Members in 2022 and the experience of applying for an ERS fellowship

TABLE 1

ERS fellowships and funding opportunities

	Short-term research fellowship	Long-term research fellowship	RESPIRE Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship	Clinical Training
Duration, months	1–3	6–12	24–36	1–6
Fellowship aim	Pursuing clinical, translational or basic research	Pursuing clinical, translational or basic research	Pursuing clinical, translational or basic research	Learning clinical skills or procedures
Candidate profile	MD, MSc, PhD, MD-PhD or equivalent	MD, MSc, PhD, MD-PhD or equivalent	PhD or 4 years of research experience	MD or qualified healthcare professionals
Host institute	Any institute in Europe or abroad^#	Any institute in Europe or abroad^#	Any institute in Europe or abroad^#	Any institute in Europe^#
Deadline	3 October 2022	Cancelled for 2022	1 May 2022	3 October 2022

^#: other than the candidates' own country.

TABLE 2

Preparation stages towards the submission of an application for an ERS fellowship and some key points to address the challenges

	Identification	Preparation	Application
Tasks	• Identify host institution • Establish contact • Plan a short visit at the host institution, if possible	• Frame the project and responsibilities with your host and the research group • Focus on a realistic time plan (especially concerning ethical approval and the amount of work to be done during the fellowship)	• Double check all documents, signatures, and uploads • Hit “submit”! • Prepare for the interview stage
Key points	• Plan early • Network with staff at the host lab (postdocs, PhD students, technicians) • Find funding for a short-term visit	• Let your application rest for some days and then revise it, this gives you a fresh perspective • Ask peers and patients to review your application • Network with previous fellowship recipients	• Do not forget to celebrate your submission • Conduct several interview training sessions with peers, the host, and your home institution