A new transatlantic research opportunity

EUROSPINE and the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) are proud to announce the BMRC/EUROSPINE Visiting Research Scholarship, a one-year research fellowship designed to strengthen global collaboration in musculoskeletal science.

This initiative supports early-career researchers who wish to gain immersive experience in cutting-edge musculoskeletal laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) and affiliated BMRC partner sites.

Programme overview

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Start date: 1 July 2026
  • Award amount: USD 44,905 (for living expenses and related costs)
  • Location: BMRC - affiliated laboratories, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Sponsor: EUROSPINE and BMRC

The fellowship aims to nurture scientific exchange, innovation, and leadership among emerging researchers committed to advancing musculoskeletal health worldwide.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be active EUROSPINE members residing in Europe or the United Kingdom.
  • Be within five years of starting their first professional appointment (approved institutional leaves excluded).
  • Not have received grants exceeding USD 75,000 per year in direct research support.
  • Be legally eligible to work in the United States for a continuous 12-month period or meet the eligibility requirements for a J-1 Research Scholar visa.
  • Demonstrate a clear commitment to musculoskeletal or spine-related research.

Visa and travel information

The Visiting Research Scholarship requires that participants who are not US citizens or holders of a green card or other visa allowing them to legally work in the US will need to obtain a J-1 visa as a Research Scholar, sponsored through the University of Pittsburgh. Full details of eligibility and travel restrictions are available at: https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/research-scholar

Due to current and evolving U.S. embargo and sanction regulations, as well as Department of Homeland Security regulations regarding immigration requirements, individuals holding citizenship or permanent residency from the following embargoed or sanctioned regions are not eligible for J-1 sponsorship under this programme:

  • Embargoed regions: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk
  • Sanctioned countries (limited eligibility): Iraq, Russia, Syria

All eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to verify their legal ability to enter and work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship prior to applying. BMRC will provide administrative guidance and documentation to assist in the visa process, but neither BMRC or EUROSPINE will incur additional costs or guarantee visa approval, which costs will be bourne by the applicant.

Host laboratories

Scholars may choose from four BMRC-affiliated laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh and partner institutions. Each offers distinct strengths across musculoskeletal biomechanics, tissue engineering, and translational orthopaedic research.

Explore the laboratories on the BMRC Core Labs page: https://www.bethel.pitt.edu/core-labs/

Biodynamics Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. William Anderst
Biomechanics and imaging-based studies of joint motion and degeneration.
Website: https://bdl.pitt.edu/about

Ferguson Spine Research Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Drs. Nam Vo, Gwendolyn Sowa, Joon Lee
Intervertebral disc biology, inflammation, and regenerative therapies.
Website: https://fergusonlab.pitt.edu

Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Spine Research (POSR)
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Joon Lee
Multi-institutional clinical research network advancing surgical innovation and outcomes.
Website: https://www.bethel.pitt.edu/core-labs/

BMRC BioBank
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Joon Lee
Musculoskeletal tissue and data repository supporting genomic and proteomic research.
Website: https://www.bethel.pitt.edu

Application process

Applications are submitted through the EUROSPINE online portal hosted via SurveyMonkey:
Apply now via SurveyMonkey (link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BMRC_EUROSPINE2025 )


Applicants must upload:

  • Motivation letter (maximum one page)
  • Recommendation letter and form (combined in one file)
  • Curriculum vitae (maximum three pages)
  • Recent photograph

Lab Selection:
Applicants are required to review the BMRC Host Laboratories listed above and indicate their preferred laboratory (or up to two) in the online application form. They must also provide a short statement (maximum 150 words) explaining how their research interests align with the selected lab’s expertise

Timeline

Announcement: EUROSPINE Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, October 2025
Application deadline: 15 December 2025
Selection and notification: 15 January 2026
Start date: 1 July 2026

Selection criteria

Applications will be evaluated by the EUROSPINE Research Council in collaboration with BMRC representatives.


Selection will consider:

  • Academic and research potential
  • Alignment with host laboratory expertise
  • Motivation and clarity of research goals
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and international collaboration

Data Protection

The applicant will be required to acknowledge that by applying for the Visiting Research Scholarship, their personal data will be processed, and may be transferred outside of the EU or Switzerland. EUROSPINE has developed a policy to address privacy concerns. For more information, the applicant is encouraged to view EUROSPINE's Privacy Policy found here (https://www.eurospine.org/privacy-policy/).  Any personal information collected via the application process will be accessed, stored and treated in accordance with EUROSPINE's Privacy Policy.

Contact

For enquiries:
education@eurospine.org