Clinical Research Collaboration: application programme

About

The ERS Clinical Research Collaborations (CRC) programme provides support to projects in different areas of respiratory medicine, to build and maintain European multi-centre networks of researchers, from both within and outside of the Society.

CRCs are an ideal collaborative platform to involve multiple stakeholders in projects. For example, clinical researchers and translational researchers with representatives from other specialties, including radiologists, biostatisticians, associated funding partners and patients. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a dynamic scientific community and has the ultimate aim of advancing science and clinical research in a specific disease area, to improve respiratory health and medicine.

ERS encourages early-career member involvement to support their career development, alongside patient engagement and public input by working in collaboration with the European Lung Foundation (ELF).

How to apply for funding

The CRC call opens on 15 July every year.
To apply for CRC funding, you must complete the online application form by 23:59 CEST on 15 October. Please read carefully the CRC Guidance and complete the form in full by the deadline. The results of the application are announced late February the following year.

In the context of the CRC 2025 call, there will be no Highlight Notice in order to foster a more inclusive, competitive, and diverse environment for research applications.
We recommend that you consider the ERS strategic priorities and explain how the CRC’s activities align with one or more of them. 

Highlight notices encourage proposals in specific areas. These topics will not be favoured in the reviewing process, but if applications were equally rated by reviewers, this would be important criteria for selecting one over the other. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the ERS scientific department in time to meet the deadline.