Short clinical exchange programme

EACS is pleased to introduce its new exchange programme. Its aims are to promote clinical, research and educational links between centres across Europe and facilitate exchange of models of clinical care in HIV medicine and allied specialities.

The fellows will have the opportunity to visit an EACS Clinical/Research Excellence Center (CREC) specialised in HIV medicine for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. There will also be an opportunity for the CREC to nominate a member of its team for a reciprocal visit for the same period of time and with the same financial rules.

List of CRECs

Eligible candidates must meet the following conditions:

Be a physician/clinical scientist or an allied health care specialist (Nurse, pharmacist, laboratory researcher, dietician, psychologist/counsellor) currently working in the field of HIV medicine/infectious diseases or genito-urinary medicine
Hold EACS membership
Be less than or equal to 35 years of age
Be eligible for a working visa in the country of the host institution
Be accepted for the exchange programme by the host institution
No nationality restrictions

Notes:

Pharmaceutical industry staff are not eligible for this programme.
It is the responsibility of the fellow to ensure necessary visa, permits and documentation before visit initiation.

Application procedure

a) Potential fellows (Fellow 1) will contact the CREC directly (the list of centres, their areas of expertise and the representative are available above) and discuss the exchange and potential outcomes. We advise to contact the CRECs in advance as some information about the visit will be required in the application form (Host institution, objectives, tasks performed during the visit, length of visit, starting date, wish to organise a reciprocal visit).

b) Fellow 1 will fill in the application form (when applications open after mid-November), provide details about the visit, and specify if the institutions wish to organise a reciprocal visit.

c) Applications will be reviewed by the members of the Steering Committee and accepted or rejected.

d) If accepted, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Fellow 1, the EACS representative, and the CREC representative.

e) If both institutions agree to organise a reciprocal visit, the CREC will appoint a candidate (Fellow 2, who will need to apply within 4 months after the acceptance of Fellow 1). Fellow 2 will apply with a simplified application form.

f) A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed for Fellow 2.

More details about the procedure and the programme timeline

EACS support

a) EACS will support return economy flights or standard-class train/coach journey to the host institution, according to the EACS travel rules. The fellow will be reimbursed upon arrival at the host institution.

b) The fellow will be entitled to a stipend per day of stay to support accommodation and sustenance costs for a maximum of 28 days. It will be defined according to the host country income level. The fellow will receive the grant upon arrival at the host institution.

c) EACS will provide a letter of invitation for the embassy of the host country if a visa is needed.

d) A certificate of completion will be delivered to the fellow after receiving the end-of-programme report (within 10 working days after the completion of the programme).

Travel & accommodation rules

Responsibilities of the host Clinical/Research Excellence Centre

a) Facilitate administrative procedures necessary to host fellows for the duration of the programme;

b) Help with finding appropriate accommodation;

c) Ensure that the desired aims of the exchange visit are met;

d) If appropriate, nominate a member of staff for a reciprocal visit within 4 months after the acceptance of Fellow 1;

e) Fill out a form on the appropriateness of the visit.

What is required from the fellow

a) Submit a short report outlining the aims and achievements within 10 working days of completion of the exchange.

Meet our fellows 2020-2021