The European Respiratory Society (ERS) offers Long-Term Research Fellowships (LTRF) for early-career researchers and clinicians. These fellowships support research projects lasting 6 to 24 months. The goal is to help researchers gain new skills by working at institutions outside their home country. This allows fellows to access techniques and training not available at their institutions.
The fellowship supports a wide range of respiratory research, including basic science, clinical studies, epidemiology, and health service research. ERS fellowships are awarded yearly based on scientific merit and the potential contribution of the researcher to the host institution.
Fellows work full-time at their host institution and must be physically present there. The fellowship encourages mobility and collaboration to boost knowledge sharing across countries.
ERS also offers joint fellowship programs with national societies like SEPAR (Spain), SPLF (France), and DZL (Germany) for specific country-to-country research exchanges.
Quick Overview of ERS Long-Term Research Fellowships 2025
- Host Country: European or international research institutions outside the fellow’s home country
- Application Deadline: July 30, 2025
- Program Start Date: February 1, 2026 (latest start January 31, 2027)
- Duration: 6 to 24 months
- Funding: Monthly living allowance (approx. €3,520 adjusted by host country), child allowance, mobility allowance
- Eligibility: Researchers with a minimum of 2 years of advanced research experience in the respiratory field
- Application: Online submission through the ERS portal
- Notification: Mid-December 2025
Perks of European Respiratory Society Research Fellowship 2025
- Competitive living allowance adjusted by country cost
- Child allowance of €400/month per child under 18
- Mobility allowance for travel costs between home and host institution
- Visa support letter for fellowship recipients
- Mentorship program for career and research guidance
- Support to attend the ERS Congress or the Lung Science Conference annually
- Opportunity to develop international research collaborations
- Access to world-class research facilities and expert supervision
Benefits of the Respiratory Research Fellowship by the ERS
- Build advanced expertise in respiratory research techniques and methods
- Gain international experience and exposure to new research environments
- Strengthen career progression towards becoming an independent researcher
- Increase the chances of producing impactful research with clinical and public health relevance
- Expand professional network across European and global respiratory research communities
- Improve chances for future funding and leadership roles in the field
Exclusions of Fully Funded Medical Research Fellowship in the EU
- Fellowship cannot be split or done remotely; full-time physical presence is required
- No funding for undergraduate, graduate studies, clinical training, workshops, or courses
- No concurrent funding from other fellowships for salary during the fellowship period
- Travel support does not cover family members
- Applications missing mandatory documents or incomplete will be rejected
Eligibility Criteria of the Medical Research Funding
- Minimum 2 years of advanced research experience in the respiratory or related field
- Must hold a PhD, MD-PhD, or MSc/MD with 2 years full-time research experience by application deadline
- Must be an active ERS member at application time
- Mobility requirement: Cannot have worked or resided in the host country for more than 3 consecutive months in the last 3 years
- Must identify and secure the host institution and supervisor independently
- Cannot have previously received the same ERS long-term fellowship or RESPIRE fellowships
- Must demonstrate research relevance and scientific merit
- Fluent in the language of the host institution
Important Dates of Research Fellowship for International Students 2025
- Call Opens: May 30, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 30, 2025 (23:59 CEST)
- Interviews: October 21-22, 2025
- Decision Notification: Mid-December 2025
- Program Start: February 1, 2026 (latest by January 31, 2027)
How to Apply to ERS Long-Term Research Fellowships
- Register and prepare your documents on the ERS online application portal.
- Complete the application form with your research project details, career plan, and justification for the host institution.
- Upload required documents: degree certificates, ID/passport, recommendation letter from home supervisor, host supervisor acceptance form, and salary confirmation letter (if applicable).
- Submit before the deadline: July 30, 2025, 23:59 CEST. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Prepare for interview if shortlisted (October 2025).
- Await decision notification in mid-December 2025.
Required Documents for ERS Long-Term Research Fellowships
- Highest degree certificate and English translation if needed
- Copy of passport or ID card
- Birth certificates for children under 18 (if applicable)
- Recommendation letter from current/former supervisor (on official letterhead, signed)
- Host Supervisor Acceptance Form (signed and completed)
- Salary confirmation letter (if receiving salary during fellowship)
- Research project plan, Gantt chart, and reference page (uploaded in PDF)
- Lay summary and ethics approval details (if applicable)
