13 July, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster international cooperation and specialized expertise in respiratory medicine, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially unveiled its new Visiting Mid-Career Investigator Travel (VISIT) Grants programme. This initiative marks a strategic shift in the Society’s commitment to lifelong learning, specifically targeting the often-overlooked "mid-career" demographic—professionals who have moved past their initial fellowships but are not yet fully established as senior leaders in their respective fields.
The programme, which is now accepting applications until 31 October, 2026, is designed to facilitate short-term, high-impact international exchanges. By providing the financial and logistical framework for professionals to spend up to one month at a host institution outside of their home country, the ERS aims to catalyze the next wave of scientific breakthroughs and clinical advancements in respiratory health.
The Strategic Imperative: Why Mid-Career?
For many in the medical and research sectors, the early career stage is supported by a wealth of fellowships, grants, and mentorship programmes. Conversely, senior researchers often have established networks and funding streams. The "mid-career" phase, however, is frequently characterized by a "plateau" where professionals are tasked with leading complex projects while managing increasing administrative burdens, often without the benefit of the mobility support that defined their earlier years.
The VISIT Grants programme is the ERS’s direct response to this gap. It acknowledges that the evolution of a respiratory clinician or scientist does not stop after the initial training phase. To remain at the cutting edge of a field as rapidly evolving as pulmonology—where innovations in digital health, precision medicine, and immunotherapy are changing the landscape daily—professionals must remain mobile and interconnected.
Chronology: A Roadmap for Applicants
The launch of the VISIT programme follows a period of extensive consultation within the ERS leadership regarding the future of global respiratory research.
- July 2026: Official launch of the VISIT Grants programme. Applications open for mid-career investigators, clinicians, and allied healthcare professionals.
- August–September 2026: Prospective applicants are encouraged to identify host institutions and align their proposed projects with the ERS mission of global health equity and scientific advancement.
- 31 October 2026: Application deadline. This date is critical, as it coincides with the final month of the 2026 Long-Term Research Fellowships (LTRF) call, allowing the Society to process a comprehensive portfolio of funding opportunities simultaneously.
- Late 2026/Early 2027: Successful candidates will be selected, with the first cohort of "VISIT" fellows expected to commence their travels in the first half of 2027.
The concurrent timing with the LTRF—which supports 6- to 24-month projects for early-career researchers—underscores the ERS’s comprehensive approach to career-long professional development. While the LTRF provides the foundation for those entering the field, the VISIT Grant provides the "refresh" button for those who are already embedded in their practice.
Supporting Data: The Value of International Mobility
Research into professional development consistently shows that international mobility is a primary driver of innovation. According to recent academic studies on scientific collaboration, cross-border research exchanges lead to:
- Higher Citation Impact: Papers co-authored by researchers from different countries are, on average, cited significantly more than those produced within a single institution.
- Skill Diversification: Exposure to different clinical settings allows professionals to import best practices. For example, a clinician visiting a state-of-the-art center in Scandinavia may bring advanced diagnostic techniques back to a resource-constrained environment in Southern Europe or the Global South.
- Network Resilience: By fostering person-to-person connections, these grants help build a global "invisible college" of respiratory experts who can collaborate rapidly during future health crises or emerging public health threats.
The ERS has long recognized that respiratory health is a global challenge that transcends borders. As respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer continue to impact millions worldwide, the need for a global, interconnected workforce has never been more pressing.
Official Responses: A Vision for the Future
Dr. Agnes Boots, the ERS Fellowships and Awards Director, emphasized that this programme is not merely about travel; it is about the long-term sustainability of the respiratory healthcare ecosystem.
"We are excited to launch the all-new VISIT Grants, which is designed to support mid-career respiratory professionals who are progressing between career stages and wish to further develop their expertise," Dr. Boots noted. "This grant programme will facilitate continued growth for respiratory professionals who wish to further develop their clinical or research skills outside of their home institution."
Addressing the global nature of the initiative, Dr. Boots added, "ERS grants and fellowships promote science, education, equity, inclusion and improved healthcare research, delivery and advocacy in respiratory health across Europe and the world. The programme is open globally—we encourage mobility and collaboration across institutions, countries and continents, to further support the advancement of respiratory healthcare and research worldwide."
The sentiment expressed by Dr. Boots reflects a broader shift within the ERS to democratize access to high-level expertise. By opening the grants to professionals regardless of their home country, the ERS is actively working to bridge the "innovation gap" that often exists between different regions.
Implications: The Future of Respiratory Healthcare
The introduction of the VISIT Grants will have profound implications for the respiratory community. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge, the ERS is effectively creating a "knowledge-sharing network" that will likely lead to:
1. Enhanced Clinical Outcomes
Clinicians who participate in these visits often return home with new perspectives on patient care. Whether it is learning to operate a new piece of specialized equipment or adopting a novel multidisciplinary care pathway for cystic fibrosis, the knowledge transfer directly impacts patient outcomes.
2. Strengthened Research Infrastructure
Mid-career professionals are the ones who typically secure the large-scale grants that fund laboratory research. By fostering international collaborations, the VISIT Grants will likely lead to an increase in cross-border grant applications for major research initiatives, further driving the science of respiratory health forward.
3. Professional Equity and Inclusion
By providing funding for short-term mobility, the ERS is ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented professionals from accessing the training they need. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the future leadership of the respiratory field is diverse, inclusive, and representative of the global patient population it serves.
Navigating the Application Process
For those interested in applying, the ERS has streamlined the process to ensure that the focus remains on the quality of the project and the potential for collaboration.
- Eligibility: The programme is open to mid-career investigators, clinicians, and allied healthcare professionals. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how their visit will foster collaboration and professional growth.
- Host Institutions: The grant is flexible. Professionals can choose to visit laboratories, hospitals, university departments, research centers, clinical centers, or even not-for-profit organizations. The emphasis is on the synergy between the visitor and the host.
- Requirements: Applicants should be prepared to outline a clear, time-bound project that can be completed within the one-month timeframe. This could include training in a specific technique, the initiation of a joint research project, or an observational clinical placement.
The ERS has provided a wealth of resources on their official website to assist applicants in identifying potential host institutions and structuring their proposals. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the ERS VISIT Grant page to view full eligibility requirements and application guidelines.
A Call to Action for the Global Community
The launch of the VISIT Grants comes at a time when the respiratory community is more active than ever. With the parallel LTRF programme also in its final stages of applications, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for professional development within the ERS.
The success of the VISIT programme will ultimately depend on the participation of the professionals it is designed to serve. Whether you are a scientist working on the molecular mechanisms of chronic lung disease, a clinician implementing new bedside diagnostic tools, or an allied healthcare professional improving patient outcomes in a community setting, the VISIT Grant represents a unique opportunity to expand your horizons.
As the deadline of 31 October approaches, the ERS encourages all eligible members to consider how a short-term international experience could redefine their career trajectory. By investing in the people who are at the heart of respiratory health, the European Respiratory Society is ensuring that the future of the field is bright, collaborative, and globally connected.
For further information on this and other ERS fellowship and funding opportunities, visit the ERS website. Together, through movement and shared knowledge, the global respiratory community can continue to improve the lives of those suffering from respiratory conditions, one visit at a time.
