ICF Clinical Unit Visit Fellowship 2027–2028

Learn globally. Make an impact locally.

Application opens	To be announced
Application deadline	To be announced

The ICF Clinical Unit Visit Fellowship is an educational and observational 8-week clinical visit supporting early-career oncologists through structured learning, clinical observation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration at an approved oncology host institute.

Programme focus and scope

The programme focuses on clinical oncology and is designed to give fellow exposure to oncology care, clinical practice, clinical research, and institutional approaches. It supports the acquisition of oncology-related know-how, professional development, international exchange, and the transfer of relevant knowledge and practices to the fellow’s home institution and country.

Depending on the host institute’s rules and the agreed programme, fellows may observe and engage in educational activities such as multidisciplinary team meetings, specialised clinics, clinical discussions, educational sessions, and exposure to institutional practices and patient pathways.

The host institute defines the fellow’s access, supervision, activities, schedule, patient-related exposure, research-related access, and available resources according to its own policies and applicable laws. ICF does not guarantee hands-on clinical practice, patient interaction, access to specific departments, clinical exposure, research access, specific outcomes, or resources.

The fellowship is educational and observational and does not constitute employment, paid work, independent medical practice, clinical responsibility or replacement of staff at the host institute.

Conditions

Applicants should carefully review the full ICF CUV General Conditions 2027–2028 before applying. The summary below highlights the main conditions of the fellowship.

The standard fellowship duration is 8 weeks, and fellowships of this duration are prioritised. The fellowship must be conducted in person and must start within 12 months of the award notification.
Shortened, split, postponed, or otherwise modified fellowships may be approved only in exceptional circumstances and require prior written approval by ICF. If the duration is reduced, the fellow grant and host institute contribution may be reduced proportionally.

The fellowship may only take place at a host institute and in a host country approved by ICF. Any change to the host country, host institute, department, mentor, dates, duration, or structure after selection requires prior written approval by ICF.

The fellowship cannot be awarded retrospectively and should not support or extend an activity that has already started.

A final report must be submitted after completion of the fellowship, in line with the ICF CUV General Conditions 2027–2028.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be an early-career oncologist or an oncologist in training;
• have at least two years of clinical experience in internal medicine or medical, radiation, or surgical oncology by the expected start of the fellowship;
• be active in oncology practice and/or oncology-related clinical research;
• be proficient in English;
• have sufficient knowledge of the working language of the host institute or host country;
• have support from their home institution;
• propose a fellowship aligned with the clinical, educational and observational nature of the programme;
• identify a host institute approved by ICF or indicate a preferred host institute and proposed focus if no host has yet been confirmed.

If the proposed fellowship includes direct patient contact or regular patient-facing activities, particular attention will be given to the applicant’s knowledge of the host-country or host-institute working language.

Please note that any patient-facing activity, clinical exposure, or patient interaction remains subject to the host institute’s own rules, supervision arrangements, and applicable regulations, and is not guaranteed by ICF.

Choosing a host institute

Applicants are encouraged to identify a host institute that is well aligned with their learning objectives and with the needs of their home institution.

The ICF/ESMO lists of host institutes are not exhaustive and may be used as guidance or inspiration:

• ESMO host institute list: https://www.esmo.org/career-development/oncology-fellowships/host-institutes
• ICF host institute list: [insert ICF host institute list link once available]

Applicants may also propose another suitable recognised oncology centre or host institute, subject to ICF approval.

Knowledge transfer to the fellow’s home institution and country is an important element of the review. Applicants are encouraged to explain how the proposed host institute and planned fellowship activities can support practical learning and realistic application of the knowledge gained after the visit.

Where relevant, applicants may also reflect on the clinical, economic, cultural, or technological context of the proposed host institute, and how this context supports the potential impact of the fellowship. Regional or contextually comparable host institutes may offer particular value, but applicants may propose any suitable host institute that is well aligned with their learning objectives and knowledge transfer plans.

Funding and support

For a standard 8-week fellowship, ICF normally provides:
• EUR 6,000 fellow grant as a contribution towards accommodation and living expenses during the approved fellowship period;
• reasonable travel reimbursement after completion of the fellowship, within ICF reimbursement limits and subject to complete supporting documentation;
• EUR 1,000 host institute administrative contribution to help cover administrative and hosting costs, such as access badges and coordination.
The fellow grant is not a salary and does not guarantee full coverage of all costs incurred. Travel reimbursement is not paid in advance.
The fellow remains responsible for travel, accommodation, visas and immigration procedures, work permits or institutional authorisations, insurance, local transport, daily logistics, taxes, and other personal obligations.
Please consult the full ICF CUV General Conditions 2027–2028 for detailed payment, reimbursement, visa, insurance, reporting, and administrative conditions.

Required application documents

A complete application must include:
• completed online application form;
• motivation letter;
• recommendation letter from the applicant’s home institute, department head, mentor, or supervisor;
• host acceptance letter, if a host institute has already been identified;
• CV information, including work experience, education and training, languages, clinical trial participation, publications, and published abstracts where applicable;
• visit proposal, if available; and
• proof of medical degree or medical licence.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure a host institute before submitting their application. Applications with a confirmed host institute and a valid host acceptance letter may be prioritised.
If no host institute has been secured at the time of application, the applicant must upload a letter indicating the preferred host institute, proposed focus of the visit, expected learning objectives, preferred dates, why no host institute has yet been confirmed, and what efforts have been made to secure one.
All application material must be submitted in English. Please consult the ICF CUV Application Guidelines 2027–2028 for detailed document requirements.

Review and selection

Applications are reviewed after the application deadline. Applications that remain incomplete or in draft form after the deadline will not be considered.
The review takes into account the applicant’s profile, motivation, proposed clinical visit, relevance of the host institute and planned programme, expected knowledge transfer, and potential benefit for the applicant’s home institution and professional environment. ICF may also consider the overall balance and diversity of the fellowship cohort.
Fellowships of 8 weeks are prioritised. Applications with a confirmed host institute and a valid host acceptance letter will also be prioritised. Where no host institute has been secured, the applicant’s explanation and demonstrated efforts to identify and contact a suitable host institute will be considered.
Selected applicants must confirm in writing whether they accept the fellowship by the deadline indicated by ICF. The fellowship remains subject to completion of the required administrative steps, including confirmation of the host institute details, signature of the Fellowship Agreement, and, where applicable, approval of the required visa or authorisation. Where a visa is required, grant payment is subject to prior confirmation that the visa has been approved.

Start or continue your application

To apply, please use the Apply now or Continue your application button on this page.

You may save your application as a draft and return to it later. Please make sure to submit the completed application before the deadline.

Questions or application problems

For technical issues or questions related to the application process, please contact: enquiries@internationalcancerfoundation.org.
Please include your full name and the fellowship round, CUV 2027–2028, in your message.