Each year, ECTS organises a selection procedure for new members to be elected to the ECTS Academy for a duration of 2+2 years.
The 2026 call for applications for basic scientists is now open till 16 November 2025.
Final results will be available in March 2026. The newly elected members will be announced during the ECTS Congress and will officially begin their term immediately thereafter. They will be inaugurated at the Academy Retreat.
Candidates will be notified throughout the entire process.
Key Benefits
- Personal Travel Award/budget up to 2500 euro to cover expenses related to travel to annual congress and Academy related activities (meetings, scientific exchange).
- Free ECTS membership
- Free registration at the ECTS Annual Congress
- Participation at the annual ECTS Academy Retreat with financial support
- Extensive networking opportunities
- Wide-ranging opportunities for participation in ECTS Committees and Academy activities
Membership Duration
ECTS Academy membership is for a maximum duration of four years: an initial two-year term, with the possibility of a two-year extension following an internal evaluation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are accepted from candidates who meet the following criteria:
- The applicant is an ECTS Member at least one year before submitting application and works in the musculoskeletal field in Europe.
- For basic scientists: At the time of application lesst than 10 years after PhD (or equivalent) degree. This period may be extended by up to 2 years in case of exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness, pregnancy/childcare).
- Present position must either not be a permanent faculty position or the applicant must be within 3 years into a permanent faculty contract.
- The applicant should have a scientific profile in the musculoskeletal field with at least 3 original publications in the musculoskeletal field as first or last authors in international peer reviewed journals
- The applicant should be able to demonstrate engagement in scientific organizations that advance musculoskeletal research (e.g. committee participation, conference organization, abstract reviewer, etc.).
ECTS Academy Evaluation Criteria
Please find here the criteria, by which your application will be scored:
- List of publications
- Awards and prizes
- Engagement in musculoskeletal societies
- Secured grants/fellowships
- Invited talks
- Teaching
- Leadership experience (e.g. supervision of students, thesis supervision, etc.)
- Social engagement (e.g. participation in scientific events for the public, volunteering, etc.)
- Affinity to the musculoskeletal field (e.g. which conferences have you attended? How many times?)
- Motivation to be an ECTS Academy member based on your motivation letter
- Reference letters
Responsibility of the ECTS Academy members
- Participate actively in ECTS and Academy organized activities, including bi-monthly online intra-Academy meetings.
- Attend annual ECTS meetings
- Attend Academy Retreats
Application Process
Deadline: 16 November 2025
Applications are to be made by self-nomination, by filling an online form.
Applicants will be contacted in December 2025 to confirm status of application after initial evaluation.
Applicants may be asked for short interview with Research Committee members before final decision.
The review of the submissions by an independent review panel and final selection will be approved by the ECTS Board of Directors.
Final results will be announced in March 2026.
The applicant must be supported by two letters of referral. In the application form, you will be asked to provide two referee names. After the application, ECTS will contact the referees and send them an online reference letter form.
The “immediate supervisor” of a candidate (e.g. the former thesis advisor or the current supervisor) cannot be selected as referees.
Activities of ECTS Academy are possible thanks to the financial support of the following organisations.
