ESCMID: ESGCP

Aims and objectives

The ESCMID Study Group for Clinical Parasitology (ESGCP) is composed of expert parasitologists and keen individuals with a common goal to promote knowledge of parasitology through a wide range of activities, such as:

Proposing sessions of outstanding scientific quality at ESCMID Global annual congress, which address topics of significant clinical and public health importance
Collaborating with other study groups on educational and scientific projects on cross-cutting topics
Financially supporting researchers in the field of parasitology to carry out high-quality research and to attend the Society’s annual congress
Organising educational courses in different fields of parasitology
Advocating the central role of parasitology in the whole array of microbiology disciplines, in a real one-health approach including ecology, animal health, and clinical and public human health

Activities and resources

ESCMID Global Parasite Morphology Hub

Hosted by ESGCP and ESGITM

Morphological diagnosis in parasitology is at risk of disappearance, with established practitioners retiring and the focus shifting towards molecular diagnostics.

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However, molecular assays are not readily available in the regions which suffer the greatest burden of parasitic infection and even in wealthy countries, morphology remains the mainstay for diagnosis, especially in cellular pathology/histopathology.

Therefore, there is a need to maintain and pass on skills in parasite morphology, especially tissue-based morphology, to the next generation.

To provide a base for this initiative, ESCMID Global is hosting a Parasite Morphology Hub (PMH) in its ESGCP and ESGITM study groups to promote skills in parasite morphology, especially tissue-based parasite morphology.

Activities

PMH will provide training

Via regular on-line webinars with international experts in the field
In person, with wet lab educational sessions in major parasite-endemic regions
Via morphology focussed journal articles

Membership

Membership of the PMH is open to all ESCMID members who are interested in developing and passing on their skills in this area.

ESGCP members wishing to join the Hub should email Dr Míriam Álvarez-Martínez MALVAREZ(at)clinic.cat and ESGITM members should email Prof Peter Chiodini p.chiodini(at)nhs.net

ESGCP strives to support its members to attend ESCMID Global and to pursue their research and to this, ESGCP is proud to provide financial support to its members. Please note, importantly, that this study group financial support is distinct from other funding opportunities through ESCMID, and applications must be sent directly to the ESGCP executive committee members!

In-person attendance to ESCMID Global congress upon accepted abstract in the field of parasitology

Every year ESGCP gives out travel grants for ESCMID Global - stay tuned for updated information closer to the event!
Eligibility criteria:
- be an active member of ESGCP
- being the presenter (oral or poster) of an accepted regular abstract (no late breaker) in the field of parasitology at ESCMID Global congress
In the case more eligible applications are submitted than grants available, the ESGCP Executive Committee shall rank the submissions on the basis of the following criteria:
- origin of the applicant (LMIC will be privileged)
- career status of the applicant (young researchers [or equivalent] will be privileged)
- previous obtainment of this grant in the past (new grantees will be privilege
- To apply, please send the accepted abstract, notification of acceptance, and a brief (max 250 words) motivation letter for attending the congress, certifying that the applicant has not received ESCMID travel grant or similar support to attend the ESCMID Global in the current year, and that the applicant is aware of the above-mentioned criteria about funding dispensation and acknowledgement.

In-person attendance to ESCMID Global congress of organizers of ESCMID-ESGCP on-site or hybrid courses in the field of parasitology, as a recognition and a reward for organizing ESCMID-ESGCP courses.

The funding will be dispensed as a reimbursement of expenses for registration to ESCMID Global (in-person attendance only).
Reimbursement will be dispensed after ESCMID Global upon presentation of attendance certificate and subscription receipt
For information, please contact the ESGCP chair : malvarez(at)clinic.cat

Top-up funding for ongoing research

This funding scheme aims to allow researchers to complete their ongoing research in the field of parasitology, and requiring a small maximum amount of money (5000€) to reach one or more of their research study objectives.
Maximum funding dedicated each year to this scheme will be subject to funding availability and interim requests, so please get in contact if you are interested in this opportunity!
Eligibility criteria:
- be a member of ESGCP
- being the PI or the scientist-in-charge (if different from the PI, a letter from the PI is required to certify the primary role in the study) of a funded study in the field of parasitology (ESCMID-funded research will be an advantage, but not a strict requisite)
- justifying the funding request through description of i) the study aim(s) for which the ESGCP funding will be used; ii) the inadequacy of the available funding to reach the study aim(s); iii) a brief scheme of funding use (e.g. reagents, publication costs, etc)
Funding will be dispensed on the researcher’s institution account upon signing an Agreement with ESGCP
Grantees are requested to acknowledge the funding support from ESGCP in the paper(s) and presentation(s) presenting the research
Submissions will be evaluated twice a year, with submission deadlines fixed end of March and end of October; for information, please contact the ESGCP Secretary Francesca.tamarozzi(at)sacrocuore.it