FOREUM International Fellowship (3 years)

Introduction

FOREUM is committed to funding and promoting scientific research into rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) and has a goal to foster links between rheumatology units in different countries. Consistent with these goals is the establishment of a call for international fellowships that have the specific objective of facilitating the development of research capacity and training high-calibre applicants in RMD research.

Scope

FOREUM International Exchange Fellowships are intended to fund excellent research projects in the field of RMDs that address any basic, translational or clinical aspect of these conditions.

 

The International Exchange Fellowship is based on two stages:

1. Initial stay in a host centre to be introduced, mentored, and trained in specific techniques, models or patient data that are required to start and successfully conduct the project
2. Subsequent return to the home centre to further develop and complete the research project in a protected academic time through the fellowship.

The fellow will be supported for a period of 12 months to visit the host centre (first stage) and, upon successful completion, for another 24 months in the home centre (second stage).

Eligibility and requirements

The applicant must be a rheumatologist, rheumatologist in training or health professional in rheumatology, who is appropriately linked to RMD research in one of the EULAR member countries. It is anticipated that applicants develop long-term research and clinical interest in the area of the proposal that provides benefit for the fellow, the European RMD research community and patients with RMDs. The host centre needs to have a high-level research profile in the field allowing the fellow to be exposed to cutting-edge research technology and an inspiring collaborative scientific environment. The host centre needs to be in a EULAR member country different from the country of the applicants’ home centre. Participation of patient research partners from the host centre is strongly encouraged in order to underline the importance of the project for the patients.

Budget

Fellows are eligible to apply for total funding of up to 150’000 Euro over 36 months. Full financial support will depend on the successful evaluation of a written report at the end of the fellowship. Submitted publications can be used as part of the report.

Initial Applications

All applicants considering submission of a proposal are invited to fill out an online ‘scientific letter of intent’ form by 02 November 2025, accompanied by an online ‘lay (non-scientific language for the general public) summary letter of intent’ form, for review by patients. Statements for support of the application from the head of the host centre and the head of the applicant’s centre need to be provided within the online submission form. Letters of intent will be assessed by members of the FOREUM Scientific Committee and applications deemed meritorious of full application will be selected on a competitive basis. The Secretariat will respond by 15 December 2025 as to whether the proposal meets the scope, priority and requirements of the call such that a full application will be invited.

Full project proposal

Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal; they will receive an invitation to extend their letter of intent into a full proposal. In addition to covering scientific aspects of the proposal the value of support in terms of training, transferable skills, and future development of the project beyond the funding period will be important aspects of the full application together with clear evidence of support and necessary infrastructure at the host centre. To facilitate review by patients, additionally a lay (non-scientific language for the general public) summary must also be completed at this stage. Both forms will be available within the online submission platform. Full research proposals must be submitted electronically by 01 February 2026.

Participation of patient research partners

Participation of patient research partners is strongly recommended for all research projects to provide experiential knowledge, with the aim of improving the relevance, quality and validity of the research process. For more information, please read the material on EULAR | PARE patient research partners

Evaluation and decision

The proposals will be independently peer-reviewed for (i) their scientific quality, (ii) the applicant motivation and expertise to conduct research in RMD and (iii) the feasibility of conducting the project in the respective host centre. Based on this peer review, the FOREUM Scientific Committee will make a funding recommendation to the FOREUM Executive Committee, which will make its funding decision. Decisions will be communicated to the applicants by mid-April 2026.

Ethical aspects

FOREUM expects a high standard in the conduct of research it funds. For researchers this includes scientific integrity and adherence to the principles of good research practice. Patients subjected to investigation shall be included with due adherence to the declaration of Helsinki.