EORTC recognises that the future of independent academic cancer clinical research depends on the development of the next generation of investigators. The Young & Early-Career Investigator (Y-ECI) network is a core component of the organisation’s strategy to support healthcare professionals and researchers at early stages of their careers and to integrate them into EORTC’s scientific, methodological, and leadership structures.

Who are Y-ECIs?

Within EORTC, Young Investigators (YIs) and Early-Career Investigators (ECIs) are defined based on career stage. YIs are individuals in earlier training phases (e.g., residents, PhD candidates), while ECIs are within 10 years of completing their highest degree or specialist training (board certification, PhD, or other). The Y-ECI framework is designed to support progression across these career stages.
Clinical research is a complex, multidisciplinary field requiring expertise beyond clinical medicine, including regulatory science, trial methodology, data science, and an understanding of healthcare systems and policy. Developing into an independent clinical investigator therefore requires structured exposure to the full research environment, as well as opportunities to actively engage in and contribute to clinical research activities.

How Y-ECIs are embedded in EORTC

Jens Lehmann, Young-ECI Representative

Jens Lehmann of the Medical University of Innsbruck is currently the Y-ECI representative at the EORTC Board of Directors.

EORTC has embedded the development of Y-ECIs within its policies, governance, and research activities:

  • Representation in governance: Each EORTC research group includes Y-ECI representatives as members of its Steering Committee, ensuring that early-career perspectives are integrated into strategic and scientific decision-making. Y-ECIs are also represented at the EORTC Board (dedicated Y-ECI representative), providing input into organisation-wide priorities and initiatives.
  • Integration into trial development: EORTC protocols and trials are required to include a Y-ECI as co–principal investigator, providing direct involvement in the development and conduct of clinical studies.
  • Group-level Y-ECI communities: Each research group maintains an active Y-ECI structure led by designated Y-ECI chairs. These groups foster local communities and organise activities such as educational webinars, networking events, newsletters, mentorship initiatives, and, in some cases, dedicated funding opportunities.

Training and development opportunities

EORTC offers structured opportunities to support the development of Y-ECIs across the network:

  • EORTC-wide leadership development programme: A competitive programme for ECIs providing training in clinical trial methodology, leadership skills, and the broader scientific and regulatory landscape of academic cancer research. The programme is conducted every two years.
  • Educational initiatives: In addition, EORTC provides training and education opportunities for members, including involvement in international programmes such as the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research (MCCR) workshop.

Through this integrated framework—spanning governance, trial involvement, community-building, and formal training—the Y-ECI network supports the development of early-career healthcare professionals and researchers and strengthens the future of academic cancer clinical research within and beyond EORTC.

If you are a Young or Early-Career Investigator within the EORTC network, we encourage you to engage with the Y-ECI community in your research group and contribute to ongoing activities and initiatives.