European Respiratory Society MD PhD programme in respiratory science.

As part of its mission, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) is dedicated to promoting education and scientific endeavour in respiratory medicine. This position statement proposes an important additional activity in this area by coordinating MD PhD degree fellowships in respiratory medicine that will be conducted in European academic centres of excellence.

This scheme is aimed at providing the very best training programmes for medical or science graduates within 5 yrs of completing their first qualification. This scheme is directed at the highest level graduates in medicine and science with the aim of educating and training them in the very best laboratories. It is predicted that the scheme is likely to attract medical graduates from Europe. However, in light of ERS outreach to all countries and in recognition of the need to attract young scientists, we suggest that after the initiation and trial period it would be open to medical and science graduates worldwide.