EFIS-Immunology Letters Study Groups

 

To stimulate and facilitate interaction among European researchers working in specific fields of immunology, thereby helping to create European platforms on a topic-oriented, bottom-up level, EFIS – in collaboration with its Official Journal Immunology Letters (IL) – invites proposals for the establishment of EFIS-IL Study Groups on specific areas of immunology-related research.

Listed below are the currently active EFIS-IL Study Groups. Potentially interested participants are invited to contact the Study Group spokepersons directly.

  • Innate immunity in sterile inflammation, autoimmunity, and their resolution - Spokesperson: email hidden; JavaScript is required
  • ImmunoMetEurope - Spokespersons: email hidden; JavaScript is required and email hidden; JavaScript is required
  • European B Cell Network - Spokesperson: email hidden; JavaScript is required. Visit the EBC-Net Study Group's dedicated website!
    • T CELL CONNECT EUROPE (TCC_EUROPE) -  Spokesperson: email hidden; JavaScript is required. Visit the TCC Europe Study Group's dedicated website!

    Previously funded Study Groups:

    • Non-coding RNA and epigenetic regulation in immune cells - Co-spokespersons: email hidden; JavaScript is required and email hidden; JavaScript is required
    • Tumor Immune Escape and Resistance (TIMER) - Spokesperson: email hidden; JavaScript is required

    Information and Application Procedures

     

    Composition

    EFIS-IL Study Groups will have a core of representatives from at least 3 European countries, with one speaker/coordinator nominated from this group with whom EFIS will interact. The core proponents must be members of EFIS-affiliated Societies. Ideally, Study Groups will have a minimum of 25 participants, with a demographic distribution and gender balance that is as broad and inclusive as possible, but that respects the scientific bounds of the proposed Group’s research focus. The participation of junior scientists should be particularly encouraged. EFIS-IL Study Groups will be established by decision of the EFIS Board, and will initially be established for a period of three years.

     

    Organization

    At an organizational level, EFIS-IL Study Groups will be expected to meet at least once a year, either at a standalone event, or at a satellite meeting on occasion of a larger event. Participants will be expected to present their ongoing research, be it with an oral or a poster presentation. In any case, an EFIS-IL Study Group meeting should be low-budget, with attendees covering respective participation expenses on their own, and EFIS-IL support being used to offset general organizational costs (e.g., venue-related fees, the participation of external keynote guests, an informal social gathering).

     

    Importantly, while Groups will likely dedicate the core of funding primarily to cover meeting costs, they may - at their discretion - use the support for other purposes (e.g., short secondments between labs, sharing of reagents, etc.).

     

    Reporting

    Beyond the submission to the EFIS Board of an annual report on activities undertaken (including a summary financial statement on the use made of EFIS-IL funding), EFIS-IL Study Groups will be expected to commit to assembling from among its participants content suitable for a Special Issue of Immunology Letters within the first three years of its establishment.

     

    Funding and Application

    EFIS supports EFIS-IL Study Groups with a max. contribution of EUR 2.500 per group per year.

     

    Proponents interested in establishing an EFIS-IL Study Group should submit to the EFIS Board a 2-page max. synopsis of the proposed Group, highlighting:

    • the research area that the Group will address;
    • the core group of proponents, the Group’s nominated speaker/coordinator, and a tentative list of participants;
    • any other potential sources of funding;
    • anticipated outcomes, in particular the feasibility of and the Group’s commitment to authoring at least one Special Issue of Immunology Letters covering the Group’s specific area of research during the three years of its establishment.

    The 2-page synopsis, to be submitted by the Study Group’s nominated speaker/coordinator, should be sent by e-mail to email hidden; JavaScript is required by 3 May 2024.