The purpose of the EULAR/ACR Research Exchange Program is to promote the international exchange of clinical and research skills, expertise, and knowledge within rheumatology. The program recognizes outstanding rheumatology professional faculty in both laboratory and clinic-based research, provides exposure to the exciting work being done by colleagues overseas, and creates opportunities for collaboration.
The program supports junior academic rheumatologists, researchers and health professionals in rheumatology to travel to Chicago, Illinois, USA, to experience the ACR Convergence 2025 and engage in a one-and-a-half-day exchange programme with international colleagues, which includes a site visit at a named centre of excellence.
Participants will receive complimentary registration to the annual ACR Convergence and a travel stipend of €2,000
Participant Eligibility
Applicants who do not meet all eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Be a permanent resident of a EULAR member country and hold a valid passport
- Hold a non-tenured faculty appointment or equivalent position (Assistant Professor or below) at an academic centre in a EULAR member country
- Hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DSc, or equivalent) in a field/area relevant to rheumatology.
- Be 40 years of age or under at the time of application submission.
- Demonstrate a commitment to academic rheumatology, including fellowships and/or scholarships during residency or post-residency
Application Information
Important instructions on how to save and upload your documents.
Applicants will be required to upload 4 PDF files at the time of application.
File 1: Current curriculum vitae (limited to five pages, including publications)
a. Summary of teaching activities undertaken as a rheumatologist and mentoring/supervision activities (e.g. medical student projects, other PhD students, educational supervision (incl. date of activity), if applicable
b. Your publications
File 2: Motivation letter.
Please explain in a few words how participation in the EULAR/ACR programme will benefit your research career and how you can contribute to the programme (maximum 300 words)
File 3: Letter of recommendation from a senior academician within rheumatology
File 4: Letter of support from Chief of Rheumatology
Application Deadline
15 May 2025
Additional information
EULAR offers long-term scientific training grants to improve the standard of research and care and foster international cooperation between rheumatological, clinical, and research units across Europe. These are not research grants and are not aimed at supporting a specific research project; however, a research project can be presented if the aim is to acquire or improve clinical and research skills.
Twice a year, in spring and autumn, EULAR awards up to 10 training grants. These grants are aimed at applicants based in EULAR countries and will support 1 to 6 months of clinical or laboratory work in a unit of another EULAR country.
The amount of the grant depends on the length of stay and equals EUR 600 for travel expenses plus EUR 2'000 per month of stay, up to a maximum amount of EUR 12’600 (a maximum of 6-month stay).
Who can apply?
- Only persons working predominantly in the field of rheumatology are eligible.
- The age of the candidate should not exceed 40 years.
- Grants will not be awarded if the proposed project has already started and the applicant is already abroad.
Where should the training grant take
place?
The applicant should identify a host institution where the grant will be carried out. In the application, proof of acceptance by the host institution should be provided.
While the lists of the EULAR Centres of Excellence in Rheumatology Research and the EULAR Network of Imaging Training or Research Centres could be of assistance, these grants are not limited to this list.
Document required:
- Completed application form (can be downloaded from the grant page)
- Curriculum vitae with date of birth and list of publications (if any)
- Outline of the clinical or laboratory work to be undertaken (maximum 4 pages including references). Please note that this is not a research grant and the emphasis should be on the training and acquisition of skills or competences.
- Written confirmation of acceptance from the host hospital or research institute (signed by the Head of the Department), indicating the tentative time frame of the training period
Please be aware that training grants are exclusively available to individuals who primarily work in the field of rheumatology. Additionally, grants will not be awarded if the proposed project has already started and the applicant is already abroad.
Time frame:
Deadline 30 September 2025:
- Call for applications: April - September 2025
- Evaluation and notification of applicants: October 2025
The training grant should take place within the current or the following year.
Follow-up:
Recipients will be required to submit a midterm and a final report to the EULAR School of Rheumatology, reflecting on what they have achieved during the training grant.
Every year, in spring and autumn, EULAR awards training grants to applicants from EULAR countries for clinical or laboratory work (1-3 weeks) in a unit of another EULAR country. The objective is to improve the research and care standard and foster collaboration across rheumatological, clinical, and research units in Europe.
- 1 week = 1’100 EUR (600 [Travel] + 500 [Accommodation assistance])
- 2 weeks = 1’600 EUR (600 [Travel] + 1’000 [Accommodation assistance])
- 3 weeks = 2’100 EUR (600 [Travel] + 1’500 [Accommodation assistance])
Who can apply?
- Only persons working predominantly in the field of rheumatology are eligible.
- The age of the candidate should not exceed 40 years.
- Grants will not be awarded if the proposed project has already started and the applicant is already abroad.
Where should the training grant take place?
The applicant should identify a host institution where the grant will be carried out. In the application, proof of acceptance by the host institution should be provided.
While the lists of the EULAR Centres of Excellence in Rheumatology Research and the EULAR Network of Imaging Training or Research Centres could be of assistance, these grants are not limited to this list.
Document required:
- Completed application form (can be downloaded from the grant page)
- Curriculum vitae with date of birth and list of publications (if any)
- Outline of the clinical or laboratory work to be undertaken (maximum 4 pages including references). Please note that this is not a research grant, and the emphasis should be on the training and acquisition of skills or competences.
- Written confirmation of acceptance from the host hospital or research institute (signed by the Head of the Department), indicating the tentative time frame of the training period
Please be aware that training grants are exclusively available to individuals who primarily work in the field of rheumatology. Additionally, grants will not be awarded if the proposed project has already started and the applicant is already abroad.
Time frame
Deadline 31 October 2025:
- Call for applications: May - October 2025
- Evaluation and notification of applicants: November 2025
- The training grant should take place within the current or the following year.
Follow-up:
Grant awardees are asked to submit a final report to the EULAR School of Rheumatology, reflecting on what they have achieved during the training grant.
EULAR awards up to 10 bursaries for educational visits to health professionals other than physicians working in the field of rheumatology. The objective is to improve the standard of research and care for Health Professionals in Rheumatology (HPR) and to foster collaboration across country borders and clinical units within Europe. Bursaries will not be granted to applicants currently participating in a visiting programme abroad.
Important note: The applicant must be a member of the HPR organisation within this list.
The amount of each bursary is between EUR 750 and 1,500 (the annual total amount granted is EUR 15,000). Receipts for all costs need to be provided.
Applications should include:
-
Curriculum vitae with date of birth
- Objective of the educational visit
- Budget
- Written
confirmation from the host hospital or institute that the educational
visit has been accepted, indicating the tentative time frame of the
training stay.
- Applicants also need to sign the application form and agreement.
After their stay, recipients are required to submit a report (1-2 pages) to the EULAR Office focusing on the results achieved.
The report should include:
-
A description of the experiences
- A summary of planned learning objectives - and key learning points from the visit that address these
- Reflection on how the visit might inform practice in the home country
- Describe a brief plan for implementing any changes that might arise.
Application deadline: Application deadlines are 31 March and 30 September each year.
The purpose of the EULAR/APLAR Research Exchange Program is to promote the international exchange of clinical and research skills, expertise, and knowledge within rheumatology. The program recognizes outstanding rheumatology professional faculty in both laboratory and clinic-based research, provides exposure to the exciting work being done by colleagues overseas, and creates opportunities for collaboration.
The program supports junior academic rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals to travel to Japan to experience the APLAR Congress 2025 and engage in a one-and-a-half-day exchange programme with international colleagues, which includes a site visit at a named centre of excellence.
Participants will receive complimentary registration to the annual APLAR Congress and a travel stipend of €2,000
Participant Eligibility
Applicants who do not meet all eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Be a permanent resident of a EULAR member country and hold a valid passport
- Hold a non-tenured faculty appointment or equivalent position (Assistant Professor or below) at an academic centre in a EULAR member country
- Hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DSc, or equivalent) in a field/area relevant to rheumatology.
- Be 40 years of age or under at the time of application submission.
- Demonstrate a commitment to academic rheumatology, including fellowships and/or scholarships during residency or post-residency
Application Information
Important instructions on how to save and upload your documents.
Applicants will be required to upload 4 PDF files at the time of application.
File 1: Current curriculum vitae (limited to five pages, including publications)
a. Summary of teaching activities undertaken as a rheumatologist and mentoring/supervision activities (e.g. medical student projects, other PhD students, educational supervision (incl. date of activity), if applicable
b. Your publications
File 2: Motivation letter.
Please explain in a few words how participation in the EULAR/APLAR programme will benefit your research career and how you can contribute to the programme (maximum 300 words)
File 3: Letter of recommendation from a senior academician within rheumatology
File 4: Letter of support from Chief of Rheumatology
Application Deadline
30 April 2025
Additional information
Every year, EULAR grants funding to the Knowledge Transfer Programme which enables national PARE organisations to improve and apply skills by learning from the experience of other organisations in the EULAR network.
It helps to develop professional capacities within the organisation, stimulates innovation, knowledge and experience exchange between the national PARE organisations. The knowledge transfer can be done by mutual visits or by virtual meetings and sharing and discussing relevant documents.
Objectives: With the investment into the Knowledge Transfer Programme, EULAR wants to support PARE organisations in their growth, to make them stronger and innovative, so they can better serve the needs of people with RMDs across Europe.
Benefits: By successfully completing a project, your organisation will
- have strengthened its partnership with the partner organisation(s)
- learn how to implement the lessons learnt and how to achieve the aims and objectives of the project and translate it into enhanced organisational capacities
- be able to apply the gained knowledge in the organisation and/or the branches of the organisation
- be able to teach the gained knowledge to other members/staff of the organisation
Eligibility: The programme is open for applications to National PARE organisations and for the EULAR Scientific Affiliates. Preference will be given to project applications which actively involve people with rheumatic diseases.
Maximum grants awarded:
The total amount available for this programme is 15.000 EUR
The maximum of the grant awarded will be up to 7.500 EUR
List of what organisations offer:
- Programme launch: 15 March 2025
- Deadline for applications: 1 July 2025 (23:59 CET). The applications must be uploaded to the EULAR School system. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.
- Jury review and decisions: 10 July 2025 – 10 September 2025 (review of applications, discussion of outstanding questions and review with applicants).
- Announcement of successful applications, signing of grants agreements: September 2025
- Project start and duration: 1 November 2025 – 1 November 2027. Project ideas need to be discussed with the potential teaching organisation and the aims and objectives agreed before submitting the application to the EULAR Office. For reports of previous successful projects, please refer to the EULAR website.
Next call for application will open on 2 June 2025
The prevalence of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Africa is similar to that seen elsewhere in the world. However, this region has a shortage of medical personnel and training to address these conditions.
AFLAR and EULAR aim to support rheumatology training in Africa by providing free access to high quality online rheumatology courses.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to complete a short application and specify the following:
- Place of current domicile and workplace
- The nature of current work being undertaken in the rheumatology or related fields.
- Evidence of limited prior opportunity to receive rheumatology training
- Identify a particular online course of interest in the current EULAR School of Rheumatology curriculum
- Explain briefly how the knowledge gained from the online course will be applied in routine clinical practice.
- Submit a short current curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
- Submit evidence of current residence and workplace, e.g. Letter of confirmation from workplace.
*Please make sure all documents are ready before starting the application process.
There is a provisional limit to the number of places available (to 50). The applications will be judged anonymously by a nominated panel. The places will be awarded to the applicants thought most likely to benefit most on the basis of their application and the content of our courses. Successful applicants will be granted free access to the EULAR online course of choice.
The EULAR–ACR–APLAR Research Exchange Programme aims to promote the international exchange of clinical and research knowledge, skills, and experience within the field of rheumatology. The programme highlights the work of outstanding early-career professionals involved in both laboratory and clinical research, providing valuable exposure to the contributions of colleagues around the world. It fosters opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across regions. In partnership with ACR and APLAR, the programme supports selected junior academic rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals to travel to Barcelona, Spain, where they will attend the EULAR 2025 Congress and participate in a one-and-a-half-day exchange programme with international peers, including a site visit to a local institute.
This year, we are very happy to have the Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona host the exchange. Thank you for your support.
EULAR Best Undergraduate Teaching Concept Award
Today’s medical students can be the rheumatologists of tomorrow.
In the spirit of improving the knowledge and reputation of rheumatology among undergraduate students, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) is proud to launch the EULAR Best Undergraduate Teaching Concept Award. Institutions that promote the study of rheumatology by offering innovative undergraduate teaching concepts stand a chance to win the EULAR Best Undergraduate Teaching Concept Award and send two of their representatives to the next EULAR Congress.
Winning this award will increase the visibility of your institution among undergraduate medical students, helping to attract more applicants. Additionally, promoting your innovative teaching concepts will inspire others to adopt similar programs, fostering greater interest in rheumatology among undergraduate medical students.
Definition of innovative undergraduate teaching concept
EULAR defines “innovative undergraduate teaching concepts” as unique and creative approaches to education that go beyond traditional methods: by introducing new ideas, methods, or technologies, they enhance the learning experience and offer better educational outcomes.
Examples might include applying game elements, such as competition, rewards, and challenges, to educational activities to increase engagement and motivation. An instance is the EULAR 2024 escape rooms where participants must work together to solve puzzles, based on Rheumatology, in time to find their way out of the rooms.
Apply by 10 December 2025 (details below).
Winners of the 2024/25 edition
We are delighted to announce that the 2024/25 Best Undergraduate Teaching Concept Award was won by the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary. Here you can find a poster summarizing the key components of their innovative teaching concept and its outcome on the learning experience of its students.
What is Awarded?
- The EULAR Best Undergraduate Teaching Concept Award.
- Promotion of the Institution and of its winning concept on the EULAR School of Rheumatology webpage.
- Two bursaries for the participation in the next EULAR Congress. *
- Opportunity to present the winning teaching concept in the form of a Poster at the EULAR Village.
- Inform at the local level about the award won.
- Promote at the local level EULAR and rheumatology.
- Select two representatives to attend the next EULAR Congress.
- Present the innovative teaching concept in the form of a Poster during the next EULAR Congress.
Eligibility Criteria
- Institutions promoting the study of rheumatology among undergraduate medical students.
- Institutions based in active EULAR member countries.
- Any member of the Institution may apply under the agreement of the same (i.e., professors, directors, secretariats, students).
Award Criteria
The following factors will be taken into consideration for the assessment of the applications:
- Creativity and innovation.
- Community engagement (highlights collaborative efforts in implementing the teaching concept).
- Impact on learning outcomes (incorporates feedback from students and colleagues into the teaching concept).
- Integration of Technology.
Apply Now
Application requirements
The following documents must be submitted, in PDF format, by 10 December 2025. To apply, sign in and click on "Apply now".
1. Documentation proving that the teaching concept has indeed been implemented:
- Interactive and creative content, like videos and/or pictures, can be submitted too.
2. Student Evaluations and Evidence of Student Learning:
- Provide testimonials that speak to the impact of the teaching innovations.
- Include data or examples demonstrating improved student outcomes (good to have measurable indicators).
Application time frame
Deadline 10 December 2025:
- Call for applications: 11 June 2025 – 10 December 2025
- Evaluation: 9 January 2026 – 11 February 2026
- Notification to applicants: by 14 February 2026
Application Outcome
The decision of the reviewing committee will be communicated by 14 February 2026.
Contact
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Francesca Invernizzi at education@eular.org
Every year, EULAR awards bursaries to applicants from European countries and overseas to attend EULAR courses in rheumatology. With these bursaries, EULAR wants to contribute to the personal and professional development of researchers and clinicians in rheumatology.
The amount of the bursary depends on the type and length of the course. Applications will be reviewed by the EULAR scoring committee. Only persons who work predominantly in the field of rheumatology are eligible for course bursaries. Candidates should not be older than 40 years.