EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER AREA

This section of the website is intended for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) interested in bronchiectasis who are looking to get more involved within the bronchiectasis research community. 

This section will be updated regularly with announcements and initiatives of relevance to ECRs. 

FUTURE - The EMBARC ECR Network

We are currently in the process of setting up a research network for ECRs called:

✨FUTURE✨ (short for Fostering Upcoming Talents addressing Unexplored Research questions in EMBARC).

Our Mission

The FUTURE programme will serve as a structured and dynamic platform, aiming to promote scientific collaboration, mentorship, education, and advocacy among ECRs involved in EMBARC and bronchiectasis research. Our ultimate goal for FUTURE is to empower the next generation of scientists, researchers and clinicians dedicated to bronchiectasis. 
 

Our Objectives

The programme has 5 key objectives:
  1. Establish a collaborative, international research network for ECRs – for the development of ECR-led research projects within the EMBARC framework.
  2. Strengthen mentorship and career development within EMBARC– to increase the support provided to ECRs and provide opportunities for career guidance at the beginning stages of an ECRs research career.
  3. Facilitate interdisciplinary and international networking and collaboration among ECRs – to facilitate networking and collaboration within the bronchiectasis research community.
  4. Advocate for bronchiectasis patients and research priorities – to empower ECRs to become involved in patient engagement, science communication, policy engagement and public health initiatives to amplify the patient voice.
  5. Promote education and training in bronchiectasis – to develop the skills and knowledge of ECRs and prepare ECRs for future research endeavors, including leadership roles.
If this initiative sounds like something you as an ECR would be keen to get involved in, please register your interest on the following form.
 

The Research Network

 Central to the FUTURE programme is the establishment of an ECR research network.
 
At present, the FUTURE research network has 7 broad research tracks covering key areas in bronchiectasis, each run by a member of our steering committee:
 
 
Each track will be conducting an array of projects, including research projects utilising the EMBARC registry and the BRIDGE biobank, as well as activities and initiatives related to education and patient advocacy.
 
If you would like to be involved in developing and conducting research as part of our FUTURE Research Network, please register your interest in one (or more) of our FUTURE research tracks and share your project ideas with us.

Important Dates for ECRs

BTS Winter Meeting Abstract Deadline

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting 2025 will take place from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 November 2025, at the QEII Centre, London.

ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 26 June 2025 @ 23:59

CHEST 2025 Travel Grant Applications

Applications for travel grants to attend the CHEST 2025 Annual Meeting are open.

Selected individuals will receive complimentary registration and $1,000 to cover the costs associated with attending CHEST 2025 in Chicago, October 19 to 22. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30 June 2025

ERS Fellowship and Funding Opportunities 2025

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) offer funding and support for ERS members at the early stages of their careers to conduct research projects that address unmet needs in respiratory research. The initiative also aims to provide training and advance career development among early career researchers.

The current ERS fellowship portfolio hosts short-term, long-term and clinical training fellowships:

 

For more information about these fellowship opportunities, and to submit your application, please visit the ERS website.

BTS Short Course: Bronchiectasis 

DATE: 9 October 2025

Venue: Online

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: 8 October 2025 @ 12pm (GMT)

This course, delivered by the British Thoracic Society (BTS), is designed to ensure respiratory teams in the UK deliver optimal care to patients with bronchiectasis and will be delivered by a faculty of experts and delivered entirely on a virtual platform.

The course will focus on practical clinical management and supporting the adoption of best practice across services. The course will include presentations followed by an expert panel discussion to further expand on the content of the talks. Its objective is to equip physicians, nurses and physiotherapists with the latest information on the diagnosis and management of bronchiectasis.

For more information about this course, and to register for the course, please visit the BTS website.