ESPR International Exchange Programme

The European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) is launching the International Exchange Programme, an initiative led by its Early Career Investigators (ECI) Section. The purpose is to facilitate connections between interested interns (clinical or research) and hosting institutions in order to promote collaboration, networking, and professional development. 

• Role of the ECI Section

  The ECI Section serves solely as a platform to connect interested interns with potential hosting institutions. Neither the ECI Section nor the ESPR:

  • provide funding,
  • provide legal support,
  • provide insurance coverage,
  • is responsible for any missing insurance, damages, accidents, or liabilities,
  • is responsible if an intern does not show up, withdraws, or fails to fulfill agreed obligations,
  • is responsible for any disputes arising between the intern and the hosting institution.

   

  All agreements are made directly between the intern and the hosting institution.
• Eligibility of Institutions

  Institutions voluntarily provide their contact details and confirm willingness to host interns for a specified period.
• Application and Matching Process
  • Both interns and the host must be ESPR members that paid the membership fee in the given year.
  • Interns expressing interest through the designed questionnaire to the ECI Section will receive contact details of the hosting institution.
  • The first email exchange or online meeting should take place with the involvement of one responsible representative from the ECI Section to facilitate introduction and transparency.
  • After this initial contact, further communication and arrangements take place directly between the intern and the hosting institution.
• Access to the List of Institutions
  • The list of participating institutions is not public.
  • Access to the full list is limited to active members of the ECI Section.
• Requirements for Interns

  Interns are expected to:

  • Respect agreed deadlines.
  • Remain responsive and maintain professional communication.
  • Share a short bio and CV together with a letter of motivation before contact details are formally shared with the hosting institution.
  • Comply with all institutional requirements of the hosting center (e.g., documentation, vaccination, ethical approvals where relevant).

   

  The intern must provide the report after the exchange visit to the ECI section.
• Funding and Financial Responsibility
  • No funding is provided by the ECI Section or the ESPR. The intern will not receive any salary by the host institution.
  • Travel and accommodation must be organized and financed by the intern.
  • The hosting institution may, at its discretion, suggest accommodation options.
  • If external funding opportunities become available, information may be shared with interested participants, but this does not imply financial responsibility by the ECI Section or the ESPR.
• Type and Duration of Stay

  The exchange may include:

  • Clinical internships (the receiving institution is not required to provide translation services).
  • Research stays, including laboratory-based research, as agreed by the involved parties.

   

  The duration may range from 1 day to 2 months, depending on availability and agreement. Exceptions to this duration may be arranged individually upon mutual agreement between the intern and the hosting institution.
• Final Responsibility

  All organisational, legal, financial, and practical arrangements are the sole responsibility of the intern and the hosting institution. Participation in the programme implies acceptance of these rules.
• Read about the first Success Story from Our Exchange Programme

  First Successful Visit Through the ESPR International Exchange Programme

  The ESPR International Exchange Programme has reached an exciting milestone with its first successful exchange visit.

  Dr. Zsuzsanna Simon-Szabó from the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Romania, recently visited the 2nd Department of Neonatology at Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Poland, as part of an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility placement facilitated through the ESPR International Exchange Programme. During her stay, Dr. Katarzyna Wróblewska-Seniuk, MD, PhD, served as Dr. Simon-Szabó's local host and supervisor at the department, supporting her throughout the exchange.

  During the visit, Dr. Simon-Szabó observed daily clinical practice and gained insights into the organisation of neonatal care at PUMS. She also visited several educational facilities, including the Medical Simulation Center, the Center for Innovative Medical Education Techniques, the Examination Center, and the Museum of the History of Medicine and Pharmacy. The programme offered valuable opportunities to exchange ideas on neonatal care, medical education, research, and future collaboration.

  This inaugural exchange reflects the aim of the ESPR International Exchange Programme: to connect early-career clinicians and researchers with host institutions, fostering professional development, knowledge exchange, networking, and lasting collaborations across Europe and beyond.

  Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Simon-Szabó expressed her gratitude to Dr. Wróblewska-Seniuk and the team in Poznań:

  "Thank you for the warm hospitality, and thank you, Katarzyna, for this wonderful opportunity to gain insight into and experience the day-to-day life of the 2nd Neonatology Clinic—an experience that went beyond the online training and was marked by excellent brainstorming in the spirit of research and science. This was a wonderful opportunity to forge closer professional and personal relationships and to discuss future possibilities. A heartfelt thank you also for showing me the wonderful city of Poznań! I'm already longing to return!"

  Her experience highlights the value of international exchanges in building professional relationships, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening the European neonatal and paediatric research community.

  We sincerely thank the 2nd Department of Neonatology at Poznan University of Medical Sciences and Dr. Wróblewska-Seniuk for hosting this inaugural exchange, and Dr. Simon-Szabó for sharing her experience. We look forward to many more successful exchanges through the ESPR International Exchange Programme.

  

  Dr. Zsuzsanna Simon-Szabó (l) and Dr. Katarzyna Wróblewska-Seniuk (r)

The Section Chair of the ESPR Early Career Investigators Section

Required documents

Are you interested to participate as a Hosting Institution? Then we would like to encourage you to apply by submitting:

• the filled-in application form for Hosting Instituions (download here).

Are you interested to participate as an Intern? Then we would like to encourage you to apply by submitting:

• a curriculum vitae
• a short bio
• a letter of motivation
• the filled-in application form for interns (download here).

Project report: At the end of the internship, the intern is required to submit a 1-page project report to the ECI Section of the ESPR.

All documents should be submitted to office@espr.eu.

Application deadline: ongoing.