2 June, 2026
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially inaugurated its 2026 Long-Term Research Fellowships (LTRF) programme, signaling a renewed commitment to fostering global innovation in respiratory science. As the global medical community grapples with evolving respiratory challenges—ranging from the lingering effects of pandemics to the rising burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma—the LTRF programme serves as a critical pipeline for nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders.
With funding windows ranging from 6 to 24 months, the programme is designed to offer researchers the stability and resources required to conduct high-impact, transformative work. Applications are now officially open to candidates worldwide, reinforcing the ERS’s mission to transcend geographical boundaries in the pursuit of scientific excellence.
Main Facts: Investing in Scientific Independence
The LTRF programme is not merely a grant; it is a career-defining initiative. It targets early-career researchers who have demonstrated potential in basic, translational, or clinical respiratory research. By providing financial support for up to two years, the ERS allows fellows to immerse themselves in high-level research environments, often in countries other than their own, to gain new methodologies and foster international collaborations.
Key Programmatic Details:
- Duration: Flexible funding windows from 6 to 24 months.
- Scope: Open to all areas of respiratory science, including bench-to-bedside translational studies and clinical trials.
- Eligibility: Global accessibility; applicants are not required to be based in Europe.
- Strategic Requirement: Proposals must demonstrate a symbiotic relationship with a host institution, requiring the applicant to secure a supervisor and a research plan that aligns with both the host facility’s strengths and the applicant’s long-term objectives.
Chronology: The Evolution of the LTRF
The ERS has a long-standing history of prioritizing education and research development. The LTRF programme evolved from the society’s realization that early-career researchers often face a "funding gap" during the transition from postgraduate study to independent investigation.
- Foundational Years: Since its inception, the fellowship has supported hundreds of researchers, many of whom now hold senior positions in major university hospitals and pharmaceutical research divisions.
- Strategic Expansion (2020–2025): Over the past five years, the ERS has moved to digitize the application process and broaden its reach to emerging economies, ensuring that talent is identified based on merit rather than institutional prestige or location.
- The 2026 Launch: Following a rigorous review of previous outcomes, the 2026 cycle has been streamlined to emphasize mentorship and institutional accountability, ensuring that host institutions provide robust support structures for every fellow.
Supporting Data: The Impact of Long-Term Mentorship
The success of the ERS fellowship programme is backed by longitudinal data regarding career trajectory. A recent internal review of ERS fellowship alumni revealed that over 85% of recipients continued to hold research-active positions within the respiratory field five years post-fellowship.
Furthermore, the data suggests that fellows who participate in the 24-month track are significantly more likely to secure independent grant funding from national bodies (such as the NIH or Horizon Europe) within three years of completion compared to their peers who did not participate in such fellowships. The "catalyst effect"—where a single fellowship acts as a springboard for subsequent funding—is the primary metric by which the ERS measures the success of this programme.
Official Responses: Cultivating Future Leaders
Dr. Agnes Boots, the ERS Fellowships and Award Director, emphasizes that the programme is a strategic investment in the future of respiratory medicine.
"The Long-Term Research Fellowships on offer at ERS are a pivotal opportunity for early-career members to boost their careers in respiratory research and establish themselves as independent investigators and future leaders," Dr. Boots stated at the launch. "We are looking for individuals who are not just excellent researchers, but who possess the vision to reshape how we treat, diagnose, and understand respiratory health on a global scale."
The sentiment is echoed by those who have walked the path. Dr. Jason Weatherald, a former recipient whose career flourished following his participation in the programme, highlights the importance of institutional partnerships.
"When I was looking for research training opportunities, I applied to the ERS long-term research training programme through a partnership with the Canadian Thoracic Society for a specific fellowship," Dr. Weatherald recounted. "I was awarded that and it was really the catalyst for my entire career. I owe a lot of my success and opportunities to that research fellowship. It provided me not just with the funding, but with the professional network and the credibility to compete on the international stage."
Implications: The Road Ahead for Applicants
The application process is intentionally rigorous. The ERS places the onus on the applicant to identify the most suitable institution and supervisor, a requirement that serves as the first test of an applicant’s networking and planning capabilities.
Navigating the Application Process:
- Institutional Alignment: Applicants are strongly advised to begin the search for a host institution early. The project proposal must be developed in close consultation with the prospective supervisor.
- Negotiation and Planning: A successful proposal requires a detailed timeline. Candidates must negotiate all aspects of their fellowship—including access to laboratory equipment, clinical patient populations, and data sets—well before the submission deadline.
- Global Networking: The ERS encourages applicants to look beyond their comfort zones. By choosing a host institution in a different country or with a different clinical focus, applicants maximize the value of their fellowship.
The implications of this programme extend beyond the individual. By facilitating the cross-pollination of ideas, the ERS is effectively creating a global web of respiratory experts. This interconnectedness is essential for addressing public health crises, as seen in the rapid sharing of research findings during recent global health challenges.
Call to Action: Strengthening the Global Community
The ERS is issuing a call to action not only for potential applicants but for the broader respiratory research community. "Spread the word!" is the core message of the 2026 campaign.
The society urges senior investigators and heads of departments to encourage their most promising early-career staff to apply. Mentorship, after all, is a two-way street; by encouraging the next generation to seek out these prestigious fellowships, established researchers are ensuring that the field remains vibrant, competitive, and at the cutting edge of medicine.
Why Your Participation Matters:
- For Mentors: Supporting an applicant enhances the reputation of your institution and fosters lasting international ties.
- For Potential Applicants: This is an opportunity to gain the autonomy and technical expertise required to lead your own laboratory.
- For the Field: Each new fellow brings a fresh perspective to long-standing problems, accelerating the pace of discovery in areas such as precision medicine, lung immunology, and the environmental impact on respiratory health.
As the scientific landscape becomes increasingly competitive, the ERS Long-Term Research Fellowships stand out as a beacon of stability and opportunity. By investing in the individuals who will define the future of respiratory care, the ERS is ensuring that the global medical community remains prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Applications are open now. Prospective fellows are encouraged to visit the official ERS website to review the full criteria, download the application guidelines, and begin the journey toward securing their place in the 2026 cohort. The deadline for submissions is approaching, and the time to begin the collaborative process with host institutions is today.
