Doctors Fellowship Programme

Training structure

Successful candidates will take part in a variety of direct-contact educational experiences, structured around both general clinical oncology practices and specialty- or disease-specific activities.

General experience

Candidates will become fully integrated members of the cancer team to which they are assigned. They will:

• Participate in weekly ward rounds, multidisciplinary team meetings, radiology and pathology conferences, and research discussions.
• Attend approximately three outpatient clinics per week.
• Take part in local, regional, or national oncology meetings held during the fellowship period.

Specialty and/or disease-specific experience

In addition to the general training, each fellow will follow a tailored clinical programme based on their area of interest and specialty (medical, surgical, or radiation oncology).

Examples include:

• Surgical oncology: attendance at operating sessions.
• Radiation oncology: participation in simulation and treatment planning activities.
• Medical oncology: involvement in the planning of therapeutic regimens.

Each training path is designed to meet the candidate’s specific educational goals.

Multidisciplinary exposure

ESO strongly promotes a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, and fellows are encouraged to gain exposure to other specialties whenever possible.
Each host centre defines how this integration is implemented, with many offering short rotations or cross-specialty experiences. For example, a medical oncology fellow may have the opportunity to observe activities within radiotherapy or surgical oncology departments, enriching their collaborative perspective and clinical understanding.

Enrolment

Trainee enrolment options

Trainees can be enrolled at the host institute under one of the following statuses:

• Visiting observership
  • No direct patient contact is foreseen.
  • Enrolment is managed directly by the host institute.
• Visiting residency
  • Allows for direct patient contact, particularly in surgical disciplines.
  • Enrolment procedures vary by Clinical Training Centre.

Note: all enrolment procedures must be discussed and arranged directly with the host institute. ESO recommends initiating the process as early as possible, as it may take up to six months.

Duration: 3 or 6 months, depending on the educational programme required.

Fellowship fundings and logistic

ESO provides financial support, which includes:

• Travel reimbursement:
  Economy-class round-trip fare from location of residence to the host training centre.
• Monthly grant:
  EUR 2,000 gross per month.

Please note:

• Medical Council registration fees are the responsibility of the students.
• Accommodation is not provided and must be arranged independently by the trainee.

How to apply

To apply for the Clinical Training Centres (CTC) Programme, you must:

1. Complete the online application form
2. Upload all the required documents

How to apply online

To apply for an ESO Fellowship, simply click the APPLY NOW button below to access your ESO account or create a new one. You will be asked to fill in your personal and professional information, indicate your oncology specialisation (including year of completion), and select your preferred Training Centre, Programme, and duration (3 or 6 months).

Only applicants who have completed their oncology specialisation within the last five years — or will complete it before the Fellowship begins — are eligible to apply.

Before submitting, make sure to upload all required documents and review your account details.

Only applications that have been submitted with all required documents and by the deadline will be considered.

Required documents

• Curriculum Vitae, including a full list of publications.
• Proof of Specialist Training in Oncology, or a letter from your hospital confirming your expected completion date.
• Copy of Medical School Diploma.
• A letter of support from your mentor.

All documents are mandatory and must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.

Eligibility criteria for the ESO Fellowship

Due to the limited number of Fellowship grants available, only applicants who meet the following criteria are eligible:

• Doctors who have completed their specialisation in the last 5 years, or who will complete it before the start of the Fellowship.
• Doctors based in Europe, Mediterranean countries or Latin America.
• Doctors who previously participated in ESO educational activities, proven by attendance of at least one ESO event (e.g., conference, course, Masterclass).

Selection process

• All submitted applications will undergo a pre-selection by ESO on a competitive basis.
• Application documents from shortlisted candidates will be forwarded to the host institute, which will decide whether to proceed with an interview.
• After the interview phase, ESO will inform all candidates of the final outcome.

Conditions of participation

• ESO does not take responsibility for any unexpected events related to the training programme.
• Trainees are strongly advised to arrange their own personal, travel, and professional insurance coverage.
• Trainees have responsibility to comply with any tax regulations in both their home and host countries.
  • Doctors undertaking a Fellowship in Italy will be required to pay taxes in Italy. The same applies to Italian doctors participating in a Fellowship abroad.

For further information, please contact Elena Fiore at efiore@eso.net.