EULAR Global Fellowship Programme ​

The EULAR Global Fellowship Programme facilitates connections between delegates from ILAR member leagues and EULAR Centres of Excellence (CoEs) interested in hosting short-term educational visits from 2 to 6 weeks. Through this matchmaking process, the programme supports international collaboration, knowledge exchange, professional development and capacity building in rheumatology worldwide. Once a match has been made, all arrangements and activities related to the visit are coordinated directly between the delegate and the host Centre of Excellence.


Programme Objectives

The EULAR Global Fellowship Programme aims to:

  • Enhance global collaboration by strengthening relationships between rheumatology professionals and institutions in ILAR member regions and Europe.
  • Build capacity by equipping fellows with knowledge, skills and experience that can be transferred to their home institutions.
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange through the sharing of best practices, innovative treatments and research methodologies.
  • Strengthen professional networks and foster long-term international partnerships and collaborations.

EULAR's role is limited to facilitating introductions between delegates and host centres; the planning, funding, organisation and delivery of the visit are the responsibility of the delegate, their League and the host Centre of Excellence.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is intended for early-career rheumatologists, researchers and healthcare professionals from ILAR member regions who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing rheumatology. Applicants must be resident in an ILAR member country, hold a relevant doctoral degree and an early-career academic position, be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application and demonstrate a clear commitment to academic rheumatology. Priority may be given to applicants from regions with limited access to rheumatology training opportunities or research infrastructure.

Application Process

Applications are accepted throughout the year.


Step 1: League Review

Candidates apply through their ILAR member league.



Information for prospective candidates:

Thank you for your interest in the EULAR Global Fellowship Programme. This information below is intended to help you prepare before you reach out to your League. It does not replace the application itself, and candidates are not able to apply directly. Applications are submitted on your behalf by your ILAR partner League, so the best way to make the process smooth for everyone is to arrive prepared. This toolkit tells you what to expect and what to have ready.

To be considered, you should:

  • be resident in an ILAR member country,
  • hold a relevant doctoral degree,
  • hold an early-career academic position,
  • be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application,
  • be able to demonstrate a clear commitment to academic rheumatology.

Priority may be given to applicants from regions with limited access to rheumatology training opportunities or research infrastructure.

Please note that your League may set additional requirements of its own, in line with regional needs - we'd encourage you to confirm any specifics directly with them.

Contact Your League

Your first step is to reach out to the ILAR partner League responsible for your region:

  • American College of Rheumatology – ACR
  • African League of Associations for Rheumatology – AFLAR
  • Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology – APLAR
  • Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology – PANLAR

Let them know of your interest in the EULAR Global Fellowship, and ask about their process for putting candidates forward.

Prepare the following information

Once you're in touch, your League representative will need some information from you in order to submit your candidacy. We'd recommend having the following ready, so the conversation with your League can move quickly:

  • Your CV, up to date
  • Your academic and professional background - relevant qualifications (degree, institution, year), and your current research or clinical focus area
  • Your areas of interest for the fellowship - what you would like to focus on, or hope to gain, from the visit
  • A short statement of motivation - why the fellowship interests you, and what you intend to bring back to your home institution
  • Whether you have a specific CoE or mentor in mind, or would prefer to be matched based on your interests, you can nominate up to 3 CoEs as preference.
  • Confirmation that you are able to organise your own funding (see below)
  • Confirmation that you are able to organise your own travel and visa arrangements (see below)
A Note on Funding

Funding for the duration of the fellowship - including travel, accommodation, and subsistence - is your responsibility, or your League's, to arrange. Neither EULAR nor the hosting Centre of Excellence provides or guarantees funding at any stage of the programme.

If you would benefit from financial support, you are welcome to apply separately to the EULAR Global Equity Fund, administered by the Advocacy Committee, which may be able to assist with funding this opportunity. Please note that this is a distinct and independent process from the Global Fellowship application - an award from one is neither guaranteed by, nor a requirement of, the other.

A Note on Travel & Visas

Arranging your own travel and visa remains your responsibility throughout. Your League may be able to offer guidance, though neither your League, EULAR, nor the hosting Centre of Excellence is obliged to organise this on your behalf. Should you be selected, the hosting Centre of Excellence will provide you with a letter confirming your fellowship placement, which you may use in support of your visa application.

What Happens Next

Once your League has everything they need, they will submit your candidacy to EULAR on your behalf. EULAR will then forward your details to Centres of Excellence whose focus aligns with your stated interests, or your named preference, where one has been given. From there, it is the Centre of Excellence that reviews your candidacy and decides whether to select you - a decision EULAR itself does not make.

Should you not be matched on this occasion, please don't be discouraged. You are welcome to be considered again in future. Simply stay in touch with your League.

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Step 2: Submission to EULAR

The League submits the candidate's application to EULAR for matching with a suitable host Centre of Excellence.

Submit Candidate Information


Step 3: Matching and Selection

If preferred CoEs have been identified by the candidate, the application is shared there first. If no preference is indicated, or if the preferred CoE is unable to host the candidate, EULAR will approach other suitable centres. EULAR matches candidates with a Centre of Excellence based on their interests and preferences.

Once selected, the host CoE assigns a mentor and provides a visa support letter, where required.


Step 4: Fellowship Placement

The CoE and the candidate agree on the visit dates and programme of activities.

Fellowships could typically include (but are not limited to):

  • Clinical observation
  • Research activities and collaboration
  • Educational workshops and training opportunities
  • Professional networking activities
  • Participation in relevant scientific meetings and congresses
  • Opportunities to present and discuss their work

At the end of the fellowship, participants submit a short report to EULAR and their League. Host centres are also invited to provide feedback on the fellowship experience. While the EULAR Global Fellowship Programme does not provide funding for fellowship visits, EULAR offers a range of research funding and career development opportunities (EULAR Research Funding | EULAR) for researchers and healthcare professionals. Applicants intere in support for research projects are encouraged to explore the available EULAR research grants and funding programmes.