Training structure
Selected candidates will follow a personalised clinical training programme that includes both general oncology experiences and specialty-specific activities.
General experience
Trainees become integrated members of a specialised cancer care team and take part in daily and weekly clinical activities, including:
- Daily clinical rounds with area-leading specialists and/or senior physicians.
- Weekly multidisciplinary tumour boards or disease-specific reference meetings.
- Radiology, pathology, post-mortem, and case conferences.
- Educational sessions, including overviews and case presentations.
- Weekly research institute meetings and outpatient clinics.
- Local, regional, or national cancer conferences held during the Fellowship period.
Hands-on training includes:
- Collecting patient medical histories and conducting examinations.
- Preparing therapy suggestions and performing diagnostic procedures
(e.g., lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, skin biopsies).
- Evaluating blood and bone marrow smears.
- Interpreting findings and planning evidence-based treatment.
- Participating in therapy optimisation studies and applying international guidelines.
- Communicating with patients and families.
- Preparing clinical documentation and discharge planning.
Night shifts under the supervision of senior physicians are also a key element of the training programme.
Specialty and/or disease-specific experience
In addition to core activities, each trainee will follow a customised path based on their chosen specialty, which may include:
- Malignant haematology (e.g. leukaemia, lymphoma)
- Solid tumours
- Neuro-oncology
Participants are also encouraged to gain exposure to other specialties to better understand multidisciplinary care — for example, short rotations in paediatric surgery, radiology, or psycho-oncology.
Enrolment
Trainees may enrol under one of the following statuses:
Visiting observership (3–6 months)
- No direct patient contact is foreseen.
- Administrative process handled by the host institution.
Visiting residency (6 months only)
- Allows direct patient contact.
- Enrolment process varies for each 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.
All clinical activities begin under direct supervision and may progress to indirect supervision, depending on the trainee’s level and the host centre’s policies.
Duration: 3 or 6 months, depending on the educational programme required.
Fellowship fundings and logistic
ESO provides financial support that 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.
How to apply
Please ensure you read these instructions carefully before your start the online application process.
In order to apply for the CTC programme you are required to complete the online application (please follow the steps below) and provide the documents listed below. You will need to prepare these documents in advance to upload during the online application.
All documents should be in English or have an English translation if necessary.
Required documents:
- A letter of request indicating the programme and the Centre for which the application is submitted. Must include the aims and goals of the training period, the plans for career development after the training period, the requested duration (3 or 6 months) and the preferred training period.
- Curriculum Vitae or biographical sketch with a list of publications and abstracts accepted at congresses (indication of work/research in paediatric haematology and oncology).
- Copy of original Medical School Diploma with English translation if necessary.
- A letter of support from your mentor.
How to apply online
Step 1: Click on the APPLY NOW button below to login to your existing account or to create a new account.
Step 2: Complete the first three stages of the application with your personal information.
Step 3: Add Fellowship Choice. Select the centre/ programme you wish to apply for and the length of training period (3 or 6 months). Please ensure you have read through the ‘Clinical Training Centres’ pages before application.
Step 4: In the section ‘Attachment’ please upload the 4 requested documents (listed above). All 4 documents are obligatory. You must include the original certificates + English translation (if necessary).
Step 5: When you are sure everything has been completed, uploaded and is correct press the ‘Submit’ button.
Only applications that have been submitted with all required documents and by the deadline will be considered.
Eligibility criteria for the ESO–SIOP Europe Paediatric Fellowship Programme
Due to the limited number of available grants, only applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible:
- Doctors who have at least 2 years of clinical and research experience in paediatric haematology and/or oncology.
- Doctors from the following regions:
Europe (including Eastern Europe, Russia, and Turkey), the Arab Mediterranean region, or Central/Southern America (Latin America).
- Doctors who have participated in at least one ESO or SIOP Europe event.
- Doctors who are aged 40 or under.
Selection process
- All submitted applications will undergo a pre-selection by SIOP Europe on a competitive basis.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a video interview with representatives from ESO, SIOP Europe, and the host institution.
- All applicants will be notified of the final decision once the interview process is complete.
Conditions of participation
- ESO and SIOP Europe cannot be held responsible for any unforeseen events related to the training programme.
- Trainees are strongly advised to arrange personal, travel, and professional insurance.
- It is the trainee’s responsibility to comply with any applicable tax obligations in their home or host country.
- Doctors undertaking a Fellowship in Italy must pay taxes in Italy. The same applies to Italian doctors training in other countries.
For further information, please contact Elena Fiore at efiore@eso.net.
