10 December 2015 – Parallel Session Supporting young scientists to become the leaders of tomorrow in respiratory research: achievements & lessons learnt from RESPIRE1 and RESPIRE2 Prof. Maria Belvisi, European Respiratory Society Synergies to fuel Researchers’ Careers Luxembourg, 10 – 11 December 2015 organised by

Leading international medical organisation founded in 1990 Mission: To promote respiratory health in order to alleviate suffering from respiratory disease European Lung White Book: one in 8 deaths in EU28 Three pillars:  Science  Education  Advocacy 2 Brief context – the ERS ScienceCouncil EducationCouncil Advocacy AdvocacyCouncil Annual Congress Publications Publications

3 Brief context – ERS Science Council Science: “Promoting the best science in respiratory medicine and funding projects of excellence” Fellowships Publications Largest international respiratory conference in the world Clinical research collaborations (CRC) Research seminars and Lung science conference Task forces

Fellowship strategy: wide portfolio of themes and collaborations (e.g. EU, EMBO, national societies, industry) Flagships RESPIRE1 ( ) & RESPIRE2 ( ) thanks to EU FP7 co-funding: Research excellence & future leaders of tomorrow in respiratory science! MSCA COFUND: enables to address identified gap, pilot innovative elements & focus on qualitative support Ongoing improvement & evolution integrated in project lifecycle (RESPIRE1 → RESPIRE2 →→ potential RESPIRE3) 4 ERS Fellowships & RESPIRE projects

RESPIRE2 Web Host Registry ( maximising synergies to foster transnational mobilityhttp://erscongress2013.org/respire Network of 65 centres of excellence in Europe offering top researchers wide choice (e.g. geography, discipline, respiratory illness) Commitment to EU and RESPIRE2 key principles (e.g. excellent training environment, career development, ethics) from the outset Pre-screening process (e.g. SOP, reviewing panel): balancing scientific criteria, administrative compliance and inclusiveness Challenges: research cost contribution (amended in potential future projects) & maintaining momentum/engagement This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no PCOFUNDGA RESPIRE2 - Lessons learnt #1 - doing the groundwork to target the very best!

Designing competitive & transparent scientific evaluation process, integrating past fellows & promoting best science Ensuring programme open to all (e.g. career break, multi-disciplinary) Range of complementary decision-making structures with clear roles & responsibilities (e.g. College of Experts, ethics reviewers) Ongoing improvement : face-to-face interviews introduced & establishment dedicated ERS Fellowships & Awards working group Challenge: providing tailored feedback to applicants when overall high quality This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no PCOFUNDGA RESPIRE2 - Lessons learnt #2 –selecting the very best!

Showcasing “excellent” fellows and their projects at every level of the Society (e.g. ERS Congress, Fellows Get Together, LSC) Pilot mentoring scheme launched for 1 st time Post-fellowship engagement mechanism (e.g. Junior Member Committee, ERS College of Experts, etc) Host centres commitment: training outline plan & post-fellowship plan Challenge: commence integration as soon as fellows start (e.g. ERS Assemblies), fostering networking and sustaining long-term engagement This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no PCOFUNDGA RESPIRE2 - Lessons learnt #3 – offering the best career support to the very best!

Commitment to excellence in science and to support fellows Tailored & quantitative approach to fellows EU funding instrumental & enabling to complement wide ERS fellowship portfolio Fostering ongoing feedback & improvement culture Monitoring & evaluation → shaping future potential projects This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no PCOFUNDGA RESPIRE2: Some conclusions to date

“I got to know many researchers with diverse interests and areas of expertise including clinicians, geneticists, epidemiologists and other statisticians. This was very inspiring both at a professional and personal level” RESPIRE1 past fellow (currently ERS College of Experts member) “A wonderful opportunity that has, both professionally and privately, affected me in a very positive way that I will always remember” RESPIRE1 past fellow (currently chair of ERS Junior Member Committee & Member of ERS Fellowships & Awards working group) “A fantastic opportunity to start a collaboration with a world-leading group….this collaboration is of high value and continues beyond the Marie Curie fellowship” RESPIRE1 past fellow (ERS Pulmonary Hypertension Research Awards 2015 winner, ERS College of Experts member) “The programme will help me to establish my own niche in the European respiratory research community” RESPIRE2 fellow “The fellowship would help me provide the impetus required to start my career in pulmonary science and develop myself as an active researcher” RESPIRE2 fellow 9 RESPIRE1&2: Let’s hear from fellows!

ERS keen to share experiences & learn from others Thank you! Further information at: