EUROTOX Early Career Exchange Program (ECEP)
The EUROTOX Early Career Exchange Program (ECEP) is meant to foster career development by providing support to talented and ambitious early career researchers to get an additional experience in toxicology. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to learn new scientific techniques, approaches to data analysis and to gain regulatory knowledge, to have networking opportunities for establishing new collaborations and to experience different working cultures and research environments. The program is expected to be an involvement in a project, research or experimental experience rather than participation in a course.
A bursary of up to € 1000 will be awarded to five successful applicants. The award, which will be paid upfront, may be used to cover travel expenses and/or accommodation and other costs associated with visiting the host.
Applicants have the flexibility to select the most suitable host based on their specific career development needs. Hosts can be from academia, industry, or regulatory sectors. However, the host must be located in a country with an active EUROTOX member society.
Please note that the EUROTOX Executive Committee has suspended the membership of the Russian Society of Toxicologists, and as a result, hosts based in Russia are not eligible for this program.
Applicants must be Early Career Researchers (ECRs), which are defined as:
- Postgraduate currently enrolled in a MSc, MD, PhD or any other professional degree
- Researcher within 5 years of completing their highest degree (MSc, MD, PhD or any other professional degree). This five-year period will be extended in case of any justifiable leaves of absence (i.e. parental leave).
- Applicants should be located within the Europe as defined by the UN Regional Groups.
- Applicants should not have previously received financial support within the Early Career Researchers exchange program from EUROTOX.
- Applicants cannot visit a host they already visited in the last 2 years.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Quality of Application: Clear objectives, well-structured project plan, and relevance of the proposed exchange to the applicant's career development.
- Diversity Considerations: Ensuring a balance in gender, research areas, European regions, and representation from underrepresented countries.
- Recipients of the EUROTOX Early Career Exchange Program (ECEP) support are expected to provide a one-page report upon completing their exchange.
- The report should summarize the activities undertaken, the knowledge and skills gained, and how the experience has contributed to their career development.
- This report must be submitted to the EUROTOX Secretariat within one month after the exchange concludes.
- Additionally, if the grant cannot be utilized as planned, recipients are required to return the full amount to EUROTOX to ensure the funds can be reallocated to support other eligible applicants.
Applicants must identify a host to visit and to undertake specific activities within a research project or as part of either a wet or dry lab experience.
Once a plan has been developed, applicants must submit the ECEP application form using the link below
Please make sure to upload the following documents:
- Proof of Early career status. An official document provided by a college or university that proves your enrolment status (applicant name, institution name and enrolment status must be indicated) or a copy of the diploma of the highest degree obtained (applicant name, institution name and graduation date must be indicated).
- Curriculum vitae, including education and degrees earned, current research projects/techniques, publications/abstracts/presentations, and any other relevant information (CV on max. 2 pages).
- A motivation letter from the candidate explaining the aim of the project including a project plan, the contribution it will bring to the applicant's career and the reason why the host has been selected (max. 250 words)
- A recommendation letter from the current supervisor indicating name, affiliation, and contact details (max. 250 words).
- An acceptance letter from the host were the exchange will take place.
Once received, the applications will be evaluated by the EUROTOX Education Subcommittee and the outcome will be shared with the applicants by May 31, 2025.
The exchange should be carried out starting September 1st 2025, and must be completed by April 30, 2026.
For questions, contact the EUROTOX Secretariat at secretariat@eurotox.com