14 January, 2026
Abstract and clinical case submission is currently open for the ERS Congress 2026 – and alongside it, the opportunity to apply for a number of sponsorship and grant opportunities.
Since 1992, ERS has offered over 3,500 various grants and sponsorships intended to recognise excellence and support young investigators to participate in the Society’s annual Congress – the world’s largest respiratory meeting.
Here, Dr Fabiano de Lima, based in Brazil, and Dr Büşra Fındık, from Turkey, explain how the Society’s support helped them to take part in the educational and scientific programme of the most recent ERS Congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
How would you summarise the experience of presenting at the ERS Congress?
Fabiano: Presenting at the ERS Congress was an exceptional and inspiring experience. It was both an honour and a responsibility to share my work at the world’s leading respiratory congress, surrounded by experts whose research has shaped the field.
The scientific level, the quality of discussions, and the openness to innovation made the experience intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. Receiving an international award in this setting made the moment even more meaningful.
Büşra: Presenting at the ERS Congress was highly inspirational. It provided scientific visibility, but more importantly, it placed early-career researchers within an international community that actively shapes the future of respiratory healthcare. It is one of the few forums where research, clinical practice and innovation truly intersect.
How has presenting at the ERS Congress benefitted your career – and how do you see it helping you in future? How did the sponsorship from ERS support you in doing this?
Fabiano: Presenting at the ERS Congress significantly strengthened my academic and professional trajectory. It provided international visibility for my research, valuable feedback from leading specialists, and opportunities to connect with researchers and clinicians from different countries. These interactions have already opened doors for future collaborations and will certainly influence the next steps of my career.
The ERS Congress Sponsorship was fundamental in making this possible. It removed financial barriers and allowed me to fully focus on the scientific experience. Without this support, attending and presenting at such a high-level congress would have been much more challenging.
Büşra: Participation accelerated my scientific confidence, expanded my professional network and validated my research direction at an early stage of my career. The ERS Young Scientist Sponsorship played a decisive role by removing financial barriers and ensuring equal access to scientific mobility.
This type of support acts as a catalyst for career progression—especially for young researchers from funding-limited environments—and reinforces ERS’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity and talent development within the respiratory field.
What would your message be to someone who is considering applying for a grant or sponsorship to attend the next ERS Congress in Barcelona?
Fabiano: I would strongly encourage them to apply. The ERS Congress is a unique opportunity to learn from global leaders, present your work on an international stage, and become part of a truly collaborative scientific community. The sponsorship can be transformative, not only by enabling attendance but also by boosting confidence and motivation. If you have meaningful research to share, this is absolutely an opportunity worth pursuing.
Büşra: Apply with confidence. ERS sponsorships offer far more than financial assistance—they provide scientific recognition, networking capacity, mentorship exposure and a tangible sense of belonging to a global respiratory community. For an early-career scientist, this can significantly shape future research opportunities, collaborations and academic trajectory.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Fabiano: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the European Respiratory Society for its continuous support of research, education, and early-career professionals. Initiatives like the Congress sponsorship and awards play a crucial role in advancing respiratory science globally and in empowering researchers to translate their work into real-world impact. Being part of this community is both motivating and inspiring.
Büşra: ERS’s commitment to young researchers is genuinely impactful. By investing early, ERS contributes to the sustainability, innovation and interdisciplinary growth of the respiratory field. I am grateful for this support and look forward to contributing more actively to the community in the coming years.
Learn more about the ERS Congress 2026.
Submit your work for the ERS Congress 2026 and learn more about sponsorship and grant opportunities.