Grants & Awards

The European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) aims to encourage high-quality research.  ECTS supports New Investigators, nurses and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) by offering a number of awards related to submission of an abstract for the ECTS 2025 Congress.  These grants and awards are designed to recognise and stimulate outstanding research in the field of calcified tissues and related disciplines.

More information will be available soon.

 

 

How to apply

 

  • Applications can only be made during the online abstract submission process, closing on 14 January 2025, 23:59 CET.
  • In the abstract submission form, tick on the appropriate award you are applying
  • Make sure that the name of the presenting author matches with the name of the applicant
  • Upload during the abstract submission a proof of eligibility: a letter signed by the head of the department on the department’s letterhead confirming that you meet the eligibility criteria (such as professional status, age,…).

ECTS New Investigator Awards

 

€ 750,- per award

ECTS is pleased to offer grants of €750 each for the highest scoring abstracts submitted by new investigators to ECTS 2025.

Available to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:
  • The applicant is the presenting author
  • The applicant is a member of ECTS
  • The applicant is within three years of attaining a PhD, or is a physician in training, or is aged under 35 years at the time of the application
  • The applicant must submit a signed confirmation of eligibility form from their Head of Department
  • The applicant must not be a previous ECTS New Investigator Award winner

 

Maria Luisa Bianchi New Investigator Awards

 

€ 750,- per award

Research Awards are available for the highest scoring abstracts submitted by new investigators to ECTS 2025 in the field of “paediatric bone diseases” or “rare bone diseases”.

Made available thanks to the financial support from Maria Luisa’s family, these awards are available to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:

  • The applicant is the presenting author
  • The applicant is a member of ECTS
  • The applicant is within three years of attaining a PhD, or is a physician in training, or is aged under 35 years at the time of the application
  • The applicant must submit a signed confirmation of eligibility form from their Head of Department
  • The abstract must be submitted to the category “Paediatric bone disease” or “Rare bone disease”.

ECTS Central Eastern Europe Travel Award

 

The ECTS CEE Award was established to encourage early career scientists and MDs resident in a Central Eastern European Country to present a poster during the ECTS Annual Congress.

The CEE Award is available for the highest scoring abstracts submitted to ECTS 2025 by applicants who meet below criteria:

  • The applicant is the first author or presenting author
  • The applicant is within three years of attaining a PhD, or is a physician in training, or is aged under 35 years at the time of the application
  • The applicant is resident in a Central Eastern European Country

Award will cover:

  • Free congress registration
  • Research Award: 300€
  • Travel Grant: up to 450€ to cover hotel and travel
  • Free ECTS membership for 1 year

 

ECTS Travel Grants

 

€ 300,- per grant

ECTS is pleased to offer grants of €300 each for the highest scoring abstracts submitted by new investigators to ECTS 2025.

Available to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:

  • The applicant is the presenting author
  • The applicant is a member of ECTS
  • The applicant is within three years of attaining a PhD, or is a physician in training, or is aged under 35 years at the time of the application
  • The applicant must submit a signed confirmation of eligibility form from their Head of Department

 

ECTS Nurses & Allied Health Award

 

€ 300,- per award

Available to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:
  • The applicant is the presenting author
  • The applicant is a member of ECTS
  • The applicant is a nurse or an allied health professional (physiotherapist, dietician, nutritionist)
  • The applicant must submit a signed confirmation of eligibility form from their Head of Department

 

ECTS East-meets-West Research Award

 

€ 600,- per award

Available to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:

  • The applicant is the first author or presenting author of one or several submission from institutions located in China, Japan, Korea and India
  • The applicant is within three years of attaining a PhD, or is a physician in training, or is aged under 40 years at the time of the application

 

The following awards will be announced during the 2025 ECTS Congress

 

 

Please refer to the ECTS website for further details on the nomination process.

ECTS Excellence in Research Award:

The ECTS Annual Congress is recognized world-wide for the excellent quality of its scientific programme. Each year top international experts are invited to present state-of-the-art lectures on new developments in musculoskeletal research. With the ECTS Excellence in Research Award ECTS recognizes scientists who substantially advanced the field of musculoskeletal research. The recipient of the award is selected by the ECTS Board of Directors from the group of invited speakers of the ECTS Annual Congress.

ECTS Steven Boonen Clinical Research Award:

In memory of Professor Steven Boonen, who sadly passed away during the ECTS 50th Anniversary Congress in Lisbon on 20 May 2013. ECTS would like to remember and honour Steven during its annual congress by introducing an annual Steven Boonen Clinical Research Award.

ECTS Mike Horton Basic/Translational Award:

Professor Mike Horton (1948-2010) was a hematologist-turned-basic scientist who made significant contributions in the bone field and beyond. He performed pioneering work in osteoclast biology which resulted, among other things, in the recognition of the alpha v beta 3 integrin as a therapeutic target for inhibiting bone resorption. His warm personality and wide-ranging interests inspired many young researchers. The award will be announced during the ECTS annual congress.

ECTS Iain T Boyle Award:

In memory of Professor Iain T Boyle (1935–2001) who contributed greatly to the field of mineral metabolism and his work on osteoporosis was known and acclaimed nationally and internationally. The award is open to young scientists who have made significant progress and contribution to the field of bone and calcified tissue. The award will be announced during the ECTS annual congress.

ECTS Philippe Bordier Clinical Award:

Doctor Philippe Bordier (1927-1977) contributed significantly to the bone field by developing bone histomorphometry, which he applied to the analysis of several bone diseases. His work and dynamism in science has been recognised in Europe and United States. The award will be announced during the ECTS annual congress.

ECTS Kyowa-Kirin Maria Lusia Bianchi Clinical Research Award:

In memory of Professor Maria Luisa Bianchi, who sadly passed away in 2020, ECTS would like to remember and honour Maria Luisa during its annual congress by introducing an annual Maria Luisa Bianchi Clinical Research Award on Rare Bone Diseases.  This award is supported by Kyowa Kirin International.

Maria Luisa was an internationally recognised expert in the field of paediatric and rare bone diseases, who was actively involved in research, education and patient care. Her clinical research activities focused on paediatric metabolic bone diseases, endocrinology and steroid treatment side effects. She developed studies on cystic fibrosis, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, glycogen storage disease type 1, celiac disease and more. She was an active and regular contributor to the ECTS congress for many years, member of the ECTS Board of Directors and member of the ECTS Rare Disease Action Group.