Grants

• Only possible for paediatric neurologists-in-training with an official internship plan in paediatric neurology in Belgium.
  
  
• A grant amounts to a maximum of EUR 2000 for the totality of the 2 training years + the first year as a recognized paediatric neurologist (EUR 2000/3 years).
  
  
• The applicant must be(come) an associate member of the BSPN.
  
  
• The application must be submitted to the BSPN secretary the latest 6 months after the event took place, with a short description of the course in question, proof of enrolment and proof of payment, and an attestation on behalf of his/her internship master (proof of training in Belgium). The application will be dealt with at the next bureau meeting.
  
  
• The scholarship can only be applied for the amount of the registration fee (i.e. not for travel or accommodation costs; exceptionally also the accommodation fee if this fee is integrated with the registration fee in 1 package/price).
  
  
• The fellow is asked to do a presentation (free communication) at a following BSPN symposium.
  
  
• A fellowship application for the full amount submitted during the year following the fellowship (3rd year) will only be approved if the applicant has already done 2 presentations at a BSPN symposium before, and effectively becomes a member of the BSPN.

Purpose of the fellowship

A clinical fellowship in a country outside Belgium can be an extremely valuable experience to young paediatric neurologists. It gives the opportunity to delve further into a certain topic, stimulates autonomy, and helps set up a network with experts across the world. The Belgian Society for Paediatric Neurology (BSPN) will therefore support one clinical fellowship that starts in 2025 or 2026.

Dates of application

The call for the BSPN Clinical Fellowship 2025 is open from 16/01/2025 till 15/04/2025 and must be used for a clinical fellowship starting in 2025 or 2026.

Amount of the fellowship

Maximum 7.500 EUR - to support living costs and/or travel costs (a budget calculation is required).

Fellowship scope

A clinical fellowship with a clear focus on a particular learning objective in a specialized foreign center in child neurology or related discipline (eg. but not limited to clinical genetics, metabolic disorders, adult neurology) inside or outside Europe with a duration of at least 3 months.

Criteria for the fellowship

1. Location: outside Belgium.

2. Duration: at least 3 months, starting in 2025 or 2026.

3. BSPN membership: candidates must be associate or effective members of the BSPN, with the current years membership fee paid at the date of the application.

4. Resident or young specialist in Paediatric Neurology: at least one year of training in Paediatric Neurology, or less than 5 years after obtaining Paediatic Neurologist registration at the start of the fellowship. The fellowship is aimed at clinicians at the early stages of their career.

5. Fluent in relevant language of the centre which will be hosting the fellowship or proof that a language course will be followed prior to the fellowship.

6. Continuing a fellowship: this grant is for new fellowships starting in 2025 or 2026 only, and cannot be used for continuing existing fellowships.

7. A fellowship is strictly personal and cannot be transferred to another person.

8. A fellowship can only be awared to a person once.

9. If not succesful, it is possible to re-apply for a clinical fellowship if a new call will open.

How to apply

1. Eligible BSPN members who want to apply for a BSPN Clinical Fellowship are welcome to contact any foreign center. The center must be contacted directly by the applicant before applying for the BSPN Clinical Fellowship.

2. Write a motivation letter.

3. Complete the application form in English.

4. Collect the following appendices:

     a. Curriculum Vitae

     b. Local supervisor consent

     c. Hosting supervisor consent

5. Send your motivation letter, application form, and appendices between 16/01/2025 and 15/04/2025 to: secretary@bspn.be

After the application

- All applications will be considered by the BSPN board, ranked by all board members, and discussed in the BSPN board meeting of May 2025.

- All applicants will receive an email to communicate the outcome of their application by 01/06/2025.

- The decision of the board is final and not subject to review or appeal.

What happens if I'm succesful?

- The succesfull candidate will be communicated to the BSPN members by email and on the website.

- The bursary for the fellowship will be sent to a nominated bank account once the clinical fellowship has been confirmed by the hosting supervisor to the BSPN board.

After the fellowship

- The benificiary of the fellowship will be asked to write an evaluation of the clinical fellowship, signed by te hosting supervisor, and send this to the BSPN board.

- The beneficiary of the fellowship will be asked to write a short report on the clinical fellowship for publication on the BSPN website.

- The benificiary of the fellowship is strongly encouraged to sent in an abstract for oral communication related to the fellowship on a BSPN symposium.

IMPORTANT NOTE

- The succesful candidate is responsible for all practicalities including appropriate insurance cover and logistics at the host center.

- The BSPN shall bear no organisational or legal responsibilities for any aspect related to the fellowship, other than providing the agreed finance.

Please email secretary@bspn.be or tessa.wassenberg@uzbrussel.be in case of any questions.