IEC International Research Fellowship Program Details 

What is an IEC International Research Fellowship?

Research Fellows are paired with an expert IEC Councilor in a clinical research or laboratory setting to monitor, observe, and learn clinical or experimental research techniques and participate in research activities in a clinical research setting or laboratory. Research Fellows have a 1-year onsite commitment with 70-80% being spent on research activities and 10-20% of the time on clinical activities. This is an onsite commitment and virtual learning is not an option.

The IEC International Clinical program is open to all. However, recognizing the pressing need to address the under-representation of specific regions and countries in medical fellowships, there is a concerted effort by the IEC to tackle this issue head-on, with a particular emphasis on areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. These regions often face significant challenges in accessing medical fellowship opportunities, particularly those related to atopic dermatitis. The IEC is actively working to identify and support candidates from under-represented countries, while aiming to alleviate financial barriers that may impede their participation. These important strategies allow individuals from under-represented countries to contribute their unique perspectives and experiences to the global medical community. 

What is the Research Fellowship Curriculum?

The focus of this program is on an AD research project developed between the Fellow and Mentor. The project can be clinical or experimental. Curriculum topics may include but are not limited to pathogenesis of AD and differences between different AD subtypes, emerging atopic AD and its epidemiologic and diagnostic data, and the systemic nature of comorbidities in patients with moderate-to-severe disease.

Research Fellowship Awardees will receive a maximum of $61,500 as a fellowship stipend and up to a $2,000 travel reimbursement. The host institution will receive a $10,000 facility stipend. All awards are processed in US dollars. 

What are the Expectations of a Research Fellow?

The Research Fellow is required to:

  • Deliver a presentation at a major conference/congress or
  • Submit an abstract or manuscript for publication in a national or international dermatology journal 

Note: Fellows will also be awarded up to a $2,000 reimbursement to support travel to a Congress or major educational, scientific or policymaking meetings and/or national, regional or specialty medical association meetings/conferences. Funds may cover registration fees, travel and accommodations.  Funds must not be used to support any meal, snack or reception. 

Post Fellowship Evaluation 

Fellowship outcomes will be determined using various measures tailored to each match. Evaluations will consist of data collected from participants, surveys, interviews, and the completeness of the presentation, and will be used to measure the Fellow’s increased knowledge, competence, performance, and patient outcomes in the clinical or research setting.

Interested in Applying?

Applications for the IEC International Research Fellowship Program are currently closed. Please check back for future application periods. 

Fellowships must take place at an accredited Councilor-based academic institution. Sites and Mentors for the 2024 IEC International Research Fellowship Program include: 

Katrina Abuabara, MD, MA MSCE

University of California San Francisco United States

Thomas Bieber, MD PhD, MDRA
Kühne-Foundation Medicine Campus Davos | Switzerland

 

Aaron Drucker, MD, ScM, FRCPC

Women’s College Hospital and the University of Toronto | Canada

 

Carsten Flohr, MA, MSc, PhD, FRCP, FRCPCH
St. John’s Institute of Dermatology Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London | United Kingdom

 

Emma Guttman, MD, PhD

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York | United States

 

Bernhard Homey, MD

University Hospital Düsseldorf
Germany

Kenji Kabashima, MD PhD

Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine | Japan

 

Mark Koh, MD

KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital | Singapore

 

Stephan Weidinger, MD, MaHM

Christian-Albrechts-University & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein,Campus Kiel | Germany
 
Fellowship awards are contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of sufficiently meritorious applications.
 
To apply, applicants must also include: 
  1. Current CV
  2. Letter of recommendation(s): from the department chair, residency program director, clinical supervisor, or IEC Councilor or Board Member attesting to the applicant's character and potential to benefit from the fellowship. This should be addressed to the IEC Fellowship Committee and must be on the letterhead of the author's institution.
  3. Statement of Purpose: description of career goals with focus on AD interest and how you envision the Fellowship to impact your future.
  4. Statement of Benefits: if you are a member of an underrepresented country or region, describe how you envision your participation in the Fellowship will contribute to improving patient care in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. 
  5. Project Information (for Research Fellow applicants only): limited to one page, provide a project title and summarize the proposed research project and its aims to be undertaken during the Fellowship. 

         Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

 For questions, please contact IEC CEO Alan Stiles at [email protected]. 

Sponsorship

The IEC International Research Fellowship Program is funded by the IEC Foundation.