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EUSTAR Visiting Fellowship
Our mission
The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) is an international research network consisting of over 200 scleroderma centres. Led by an elected Board of experts in the field, EUSTAR has been at the forefront of scleroderma research since its inception in 2004. Originally supported by EULAR (The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology), EUSTAR now operates under the auspices of the World Scleroderma Foundation (WSF).
Our mission is to coordinate and enhance research activities aimed at improving the treatment, quality of life, and prognosis for patients with scleroderma worldwide.
At the heart of our research efforts is a comprehensive multicentre online database/registry, which houses data from more than 23,000 scleroderma patients across 250+ international EUSTAR centres. Each patient’s annual medical visit is recorded, providing invaluable longitudinal observational data
Aim
EUSTAR’s objective in setting up this fellowship programme is to provide individuals early in their career with the opportunity to spend time in a domestic or international systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) centre that is a EUSTAR member institution. International fellows will have the benefits of mentorship by a senior clinician with wide experience in systemic sclerosis. A fellowship will provide a ‘step-up’ on the road to becoming an independent researcher, and in some cases to setting up a new EUSTAR centre. The overall aim is to foster the next generation of clinicians and clinician scientists with an interest in systemic sclerosis-spectrum disorders. It is anticipated that up to 15 fellowships will be awarded.
What does a fellowship involve?
Fellowships will be limited to 12 weeks in duration, depending on an individual’s needs and aspirations as well as the availability of the mentor(s) and resources of the host institution. Longer fellowships will considered in cases of special circumstances, please specify these in the application
Each fellowship will be hosted at a EUSTAR member institution, either in the applicant’s own country or further afield. See our list of EUSTAR member institutions.
The fellow will attend clinics and ward rounds and participate in departmental research activities. There can be a focus on either clinical practice or research, whichever is most appropriate for the individual. If the focus is on clinical practice, then it is anticipated that during the fellowship the fellow will write up a clinical case or cases series, with the expectation that this will be submitted to the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress (or/and other national or international meeting, e.g., EULAR Congress or ACR Convergence). If the focus is on research, then it is anticipated that the fellow will engage in a short research project, again with the expectation that an abstract will be submitted to the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress (and/or other national or international meeting), or become involved in a larger project that they will continue with in collaboration with the mentor after returning home. Alternatively (or additionally) the fellow (whether clinical or research focused) could draft a review article for submission to the Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders. Although expenses to attend a World Congress or International Workshop on Scleroderma Research are not covered by the fellowship, fellows can apply to EUSTAR for a travel award to attend either of these meetings.
Following the fellowship, the fellow will submit a 1000 words report describing what they have gained from the fellowship. The intention is that reports will be posted on the EUSTAR website.
Following the fellowship, fellows are encouraged to keep their mentors updated with their progress for one year. Most mentors will gladly provide ongoing support.
The fellowship ‘visit’ must be completed within a year from the date of award of the fellowship.
Fellowship learning objectives
Clinical and research skills development:
- Attend clinics, ward rounds, and participate in departmental research activities.
- Enhance understanding of systemic sclerosis through hands-on exposure and mentorship.
- Focus on either clinical practice or research, tailored to individual career goals.
Fellowship obligations and deliverables
Project Deliverables:
- Clinical track: prepare and submit a clinical case or case series to the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress or another relevant meeting*.
- Research track: conduct a short research project or contribute to a larger one, aiming to submit an abstract to a major conference or draft a review article for the Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders*.
- Final Report Submission:
- Deliver a 1000-word report detailing the fellowship experience and outcomes, to be shared on the EUSTAR website.
*Fellows will need to seek additional travel grants from EUSTAR if planning to attend conferences, as these costs are not included in the fellowship funding.
Post-Fellowship Engagement:
- Keep mentors updated on progress for one year after the fellowship and benefit from their ongoing guidance.
Timing Compliance:
- Complete the fellowship visit within one year of the award date.
How to apply?
Applicants may either make the first approach to a member institution/mentor, or they may approach the EUSTAR for a list of suggested host institutions/mentors happy to be contacted (in this case contact the Administrative Assistant admin@eustar.org Applicants should then submit (with the application) a supporting letter from the proposed mentor. Applications will be judged on the basis of the following:
- A personal statement of up to 500 words. This should include a description of what the applicant would gain from attending the fellowship, in terms of development of a career with a strong focus on clinical care of patients with systemic sclerosis and/or systemic sclerosis research.
- A short CV (Maximum 3 pages)
- A supporting letter from the applicant’s current supervisor.
- A supporting letter from the proposed mentor from the proposed EUSTAR host institution.
When are applications considered?
Applications will open on 10th February 2025.
Who is eligible?
Everybody from a EUSTAR member centre or EUSTAR affiliated centre are eligible to apply, and eligibility will be assessed based on the nature of the application.
What costs are covered?
The fellowship will include:
- A stipend of €300 EUR per week.
- Reimbursement for Travel (standard class upon receipt).
- Host sites will receive a €1,000 EUR stipend (administration, visa).
Alterations to the above in cases of special circumstances will be considered, please specify these in the application.
Money will be paid at the end of the fellowship.
Any questions?
Please send completed applications or questions to Cecile Bremont at admin@eustar.org.