Winter 2025 Call For Applications

The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) is an international network of over 200 scleroderma centres, dedicated to advancing research and improving the worldwide treatment, quality of life, and prognosis of patients with scleroderma. Led by an elected Board of experts, EUSTAR has been at the forefront of systemic sclerosis (SSc) research since 2004. 

The EUSTAR Fellowship Programme supports early-career clinicians and researchers by offering the opportunity to train at a leading domestic or international EUSTAR centre. Fellows will gain hands-on experience, mentorship from senior SSc experts, and exposure to clinical and research activities.

This initiative helps fellows develop expertise, build professional networks, and contribute to SSc research—potentially even leading to the establishment of new EUSTAR centres.

In our first round of fellowships (Spring 2025), 15 fellowships were awarded, primarily to European applicants. For examples of previous fellowships, please see the reports from our Spring 2025 fellows above.

This Winter 2025 call will prioritise applicants from outside Europe or newer EUSTAR Centres in Europe, providing the opportunity to train at a centre anywhere internationally.

What the Fellowship Involves

Duration: Up to 12 weeks, depending on the fellow’s goals and the availability of mentors and host resources. Extensions may be considered in exceptional circumstances (please specify in your application).

Host Centres: Fellowships are hosted at domestic or international EUSTAR centres (List of EUSTAR Centres).

Objectives:

• Attend clinics, ward rounds, and participate in research activities at a EUSTAR member institution.
• Collaborate with senior mentors to develop skills in SSc management and research.
• Focus on either clinical practice or research, tailored to individual career goals.
• Maintain contact with their mentor for one year for ongoing guidance.

Deliverables:

• Clinical Focus: Write up a clinical case or cases series and submit to a national or international meeting (e.g., Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, EULAR Congress, or ACR Convergence)
  OR
  Research Focus: Engage in a short research project and submit an abstract to a national or international meeting (e.g., Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, EULAR Congress, or ACR Convergence) or become involved in a larger project that they will continue with in collaboration with the mentor after returning home.
• Submit a 1,000-word fellowship report, to be published on the EUSTAR website.
• Optionally, draft a review article for the Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders.

Fellowships must be completed within one year of the award date.

*Fellows need to seek additional travel grants from EUSTAR if planning to attend conferences, as these costs are not included in the fellowship funding.

Application Process

Applicants may either approach a mentor at a EUSTAR member institution or request a list of suggested mentors/centres.

Applications must include all the following documents:

1. Personal statement (≤500 words) describing what the applicant would gain from attending the fellowship, in terms of career development with a strong focus on clinical care of SSc patients and/or SSc research.
2. Short CV (≤3 pages)
3. Supporting letter from the applicant’s current supervisor.
4. Supporting letter from the proposed mentor from the EUSTAR host institution.

Dates:

• Applications open: 1st November 2025
• Applications close: 31st December 2025
• Decisions announced: 31st January 2026

Eligibility

• Clinical trainees and those within the first five years of completing their training / starting their first Rheumatology faculty position.
• Applicants must be from a EUSTAR Member Centre or EUSTAR Affiliated Centre
• Applicants from outside Europe and newer EUSTAR Centres in Europe will be prioritised.

Costs Covered

• Stipend: €300 EUR per week.
• Travel reimbursement: standard class to and from the host centre (upon receipt)
• Host site stipend: €1,000 EUR (administration/visa costs)

Amendments for special circumstances will be considered—please specify in your application. All payments will be made at the end of the fellowship.

Please send completed applications or questions to Admin@eustar.org