The IARC Research Training and Fellowship Programme hosts scientists at different stages of their career for training in fields of research closely associated with the Agency’s missions and activities. Beneficiaries of the Programme are collectively referred to as Early Career and Visiting Scientists (ECVSs).
ECVSs are supported either by IARC Fellowships, by project funds from IARC Branches or by external funds/fellowships obtained from ECVSs.
The IARC Research Training and Fellowship Programme contributes to:
- pre-doctoral training within specific agreements with Lyon Universities or other institutions at national or international level (Bachelor’s students and Master’s students, Continuing Professional Development Trainees and Doctoral students);
- fostering training of Postdoctoral Scientists and IARC Postdoctoral Fellows from any country to create a new generation of cancer researchers and strengthen cancer research worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs);
- attracting international Visiting Scientists and Senior Visiting Scientists to spend a research stay at IARC, making it an ideal environment for education, training, and exchange, allowing for collaborations to be strengthened and to benefit the Agency’s programmes
IARC offers a supportive research environment, in which ECVSs are valued, encouraged, and supported. Opportunities for formal and informal training in scientific and complementary subjects are available either through the scientific project or in dedicated training sessions.
ECVSs have access to a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines, and can develop a diverse set of skills, transferable to other scientific areas, thus allowing a wide career choice. The following disciplines are covered: epidemiology (including genetic and molecular epidemiology), biostatistics, bioinformatics, and areas related to the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, including molecular and cell biology, molecular genetics, epigenetics, and molecular pathology. There is an emphasis on interdisciplinary projects.
In 2022 and 2023, IARC hosted a total of 296 ECVSs from 66 different countries.
Early Career Scientists Association (ECSA)
ECSA is an internal association of IARC, led by the ECSA Organizing Committee that supports, organizes, and implements ECSA activities. The ECSA Organizing Committee is composed of IARC students and Postdoctoral Scientists and aims to bring together IARC Early Career Scientists (ECS) of all levels. In collaboration with the Learning and Capacity Building Branch (LCB), ECSA’s mission is to promote equity and well-being of ECSs, advocacy, career development, and networking. ECSA also organizes social events and facilitates regular dialogue between ECSs, the LCB, and IARC administration.
All new ECSs are automatically part of ECSA and can benefit from all activities organized by the Association. Any IARC ECSA member can volunteer for the organizing committee.
More information about IARC and Lyon can be found IARC’s Welcome Pack (currently under revision).