ESP Scholarship for the European Master in Molecular Pathology (EMMP)
The European Society of Pathology (ESP) along with several academic institutions across Europe, is joining in the organisation of a 2-year Master Programme, the European Master Molecular Pathology (EMMP).
This Master programme is coordinated by the University Côte d’Azur in Nice, France.
The main goal of the Master Programme is advanced training in Molecular Pathology aiming for the standardization of molecular analyses across Europe.
ESP, dedicated to funding projects and joint actions that contribute to continuous education and high-quality diagnosis in the field of pathology, is providing a Scholarship for attending the EMMP.
Information about the EMMP, its admission requirements, curriculum and the tuition fees, are available via the respective website.
ESP Scholarship for the EMMP
ESP, committed to the provision of high-tier education in Pathology, is happy to announce the registrations for the ESP Scholarship for the EMMP for the academic years 2025-27. The eligibility criteria, instructions on how to apply and other useful information are provided below.
Colleagues who meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in the EMMP and the ESP Scholarship are welcome to apply by Friday 23 May 2025.
The announcement of the recipients of this Scholarship will be made in coordination with the announcement of the results for the EMMP applications.
- Active ESP membership for the last three consecutive years in one of the following ESP membership categories:
- Ordinary membership: paid membership fees of the last three consecutive years (individually or collectively)
- Residency membership: For the last three consecutive years supported by proof of residency as per ESP policy (residents who are in their 1st or 2nd year of training are also welcome to apply even if they do not fulfil the criterion of an ESP membership for three consecutive years)
- Active participation in one or more of the ESP educational and scientific activities including but not limited to: the European Congress of Pathology (ECP), ESP Pathology Progress Test, ESP webinars, ESP courses, ESP Alumni, Giordano Fellowship, ESP Academy, published peer-reviewed papers in the Virchows Archiv, etc.
- Applicants preferably should be 45 years old or younger.
- Not be a recipient of another scholarship for the same Master programme or another ESP fellowship for the duration of the EMMP.
- In order to be granted the ESP Scholarship, members fulfilling the Scholarship eligibility criteria must also meet the other criteria set out by the Steering Committee of the EMMP.
- As the number of ESP Scholarships devoted to the EMMP programme is limited, the process of selecting the ESP Scholarship Awardees is highly competitive.
- It is obligatory to complete the application to the EMMP before applying for the ESP Scholarship.
- Being successfully accepted in the EMMP programme is a requirement for the ESP Scholarship to be awarded.
- For each Scholarship awardee ESP will provide a financial support of up to 5,000 Euro for the duration of the 2-year Master. The amount per awardee will be decided by the evaluation committee.
Colleagues interested in the ESP Scholarship for the EMMP are invited to apply via email to the ESP Education Manager, Dr Christos Poulios at admin@esp-pathology.org (subject: “ESP Scholarship for EMMP – 2025”).
In the email applicants should provide:
- a CV (maximum two A4 pages, including a list of key publications)
- a copy of their passport/ID where their date of birth is visible
- a motivation letter (up to 1 page), explaining why the Scholarship is important for the applicant.
- the completed application form
Interview Series: Prof. Marius Ilié (initiator of the EMMP)
by Prof. Falko Fend
The European Master in Molecular Pathology (EMMP) stands out as an educational programme designed to bridge the gap in access to standardised high-quality molecular testing, particularly for cancer patients in less privileged regions. This initiative is a collaboration between a group of European experts, the European Society of Pathology (ESP), and the Pathology Section of the European Union of Medical Specialists (EUMS). The EMMP’s primary goal is to equip pathologists with advanced skills, significantly improving patient care by enhancing the availability and quality of molecular pathologists throughout Europe and beyond.
EMMP is organised by the University Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. It is designed for practicing pathologists seeking comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in molecular pathology. Two years long, the programme offers a mix of theoretical and hands-on learning delivered through a hybrid format. The training is, therefore, rigorous yet flexible, combining online learning with in-person sessions and practical internship experiences. The goal is to prepare graduates to become leaders in the fast-evolving field of molecular diagnostics and to demonstrate the crucial role molecular pathologists play in precision medicine.
The EMMP was a massive effort that took around five years to develop. It started even before recognising the urgent need for specialised and standardised training in molecular pathology. A key challenge was creating the curriculum – it had to be comprehensive and forward-thinking, covering current, practical, and emerging topics. Collaboration with academic institutions, societies, and labs across Europe was essential to ensure a balance of strong theoretical knowledge and hands-on training. Another significant step was securing degree approval and funding from the University Côte d’Azur. The programme needed to meet European educational standards while allowing financial support from organisations and industry sponsors.
Once these foundations were in place, efforts shifted to its implementation in April 2022, followed by its October 2023 launch. This process involved recruiting faculty, enrolling students, setting up infrastructure, and arranging internships with leading molecular pathology labs.
The EMMP is a full-time, two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) structured in six modules yearly. It offers a balanced mix of teaching methods, including independent study, assignments, assessments, online interactions, and two six-week internships. With its predominantly online and distance-learning setup, students can manage their studies alongside full-time work, committing to online classes about 20 hours per week.
All EMMP students are practicing pathologists or pathology residents, and the blended learning model of the programme—combining online courses with intensive on-campus sessions at partner universities—offers the flexibility they need to balance their careers and studies. This approach broadens access, making it feasible for pathologists at different stages of their careers to participate in EMMP.
The first year focuses on solidifying cellular and molecular biology, and the critical role of pre-analytical and analytical steps in molecular diagnostics. Students also gain skills in analyzing and interpreting genomic data for diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment, particularly in molecular tumor boards. The second year focuses on immunopathology, quality control and accreditation, digital pathology and artificial intelligence, biobanking, liquid biopsies, and cutting-edge molecular techniques like proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, epigenomics, and their application in translational research.
Applicants can expect a transformative experience that positions them at the forefront of molecular pathology, mainly in the clinical setting. The program’s learning objectives are comprehensive, providing in-depth knowledge of molecular biology principles. This expertise is essential for interpreting molecular tests and advancing personalized medicine, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to make significant contributions to the implementation and advancement of molecular pathology.
Furthermore, students will gain practical skills through hands-on training in diverse techniques. This will equip them to integrate these technologies into routine diagnostics. The programme strongly emphasizes clinical relevance, with real-world case analyses that prepare graduates to use molecular diagnostics to improve patient care.
Beyond technical knowledge, the EMMP fosters extensive networking opportunities, connecting students with leading experts, institutions, and laboratories across Europe. This facilitates mentorship, collaboration, and career growth, making students feel connected and supported in their professional journey. Graduates will master all phases of molecular testing, from pre-analytical to post-analytical, ensuring reliable and high-quality results. They will also learn to critically evaluate molecular technologies and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
This programme is specifically designed for residents in Pathology (graduate level) or practicing Pathologists (post-graduate level) with a background in histopathology.
The students can apply through an online platform, eCandidat, by uploading a list of documents listed on our website (https://univ-cotedazur.eu/msc/european-msc-molecular-pathology/application-1)
The selection process involves two steps. Firstly, the Admission Committee evaluates the application files, which include the applicant’s CV, cover letter, short presentation video, previous university degree and transcripts, letter of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency at a minimum level of B2/C1. Applicants who pass this initial evaluation are then invited to an online interview. The interview, lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, allows the committee to understand the candidate’s motivations for applying and their career aspirations. It also directly addresses the candidates’ understanding and dedication in participating in the in-person sessions, which are already scheduled for the entire cohort of students and cannot be personalised or missed. The interview, performed by 2-3 members of the EMMP Scientific Committee and the EMMP Manager, plays a decisive role in the selection process. The programme aims to enroll approximately 25 students each year, ensuring a competitive but fair selection process.
A network of European academic centers supports EMMP, each contributing its expertise to deliver a high-quality and comprehensive programme. These centers were selected based on their proven record and reputation in molecular pathology and translational research, their strong ties to research networks and healthcare organisations, and their geographic diversity, which allows students to experience different healthcare systems across Europe.
The core institutions involved in the Steering Committee include the European Society of Pathology, University Côte d’Azur (France), Medical University Graz (Austria), University of Helsinki (Finland), Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen and Charité Berlin (Germany), University of Trieste (Italy), University Medical Center Groningen (Netherlands), University of Porto (Portugal), and Universities in Seville and Barcelona (Spain).
Additional institutions, such as the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Munich (Germany), KU Leuven (Belgium), MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA), and Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands), coordinate specific learning modules.
Hosting centers must meet stringent requirements, including having modern laboratories and facilities to support hands-on training. Accredited laboratories supporting EMMP are in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Hosting laboratories are invaluable, providing students with practical training, mentorship, access to advanced technologies, and exposure to diverse healthcare systems.
The programme aligns with European educational standards and is overseen by an academic advisory board to ensure its curriculum remains relevant to advances in molecular diagnostics. Quality is assured and maintained through annual surveys and student, faculty, and stakeholder evaluations. Independent experts validate the programme’s rigor through external reviews. In the future, EMMP will use graduate outcomes—such as employment and contributions to molecular pathology—to closely monitor our students’ success and impact.
The first generation of students “The Originals” is and will remain unique for EMMP. This class tremendously helped us improve the programme, sometimes on the go in this first year, through their continuous feedback and contagious enthusiasm. We are now welcoming our second class of students, and the application process for the third class is open until June. So far, the feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have highlighted the comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training opportunities, and the diverse expertise of the faculty. They particularly value the programme’s international scope, which exposes them to different healthcare systems and molecular pathology practices, as well as its emphasis on real-world clinical applications and personalized medicine.
Students often describe the programme as pioneering, with a forward-thinking scientific committee. They appreciate the blended learning format and the enthusiasm of the teaching staff. On the other hand, faculty are unanimously pleasantly surprised by the active participation, high number of questions, and challenging interactions this cohort of adult students and professionals brings to the classrooms.
However, there are always areas for improvement. Coordinating internships across multiple countries has posed logistical challenges. Expanding the network of accredited hosting laboratories would help address this issue. To make the programme more accessible, we need to secure additional scholarship funding, notably to support students from all backgrounds. Finally, as the field of molecular pathology evolves rapidly, the curriculum will need to adapt to continuously incorporate emerging technologies and trends.
It was worth every effort, especially after witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and hearing their positive feedback. It is gratifying to see them already stepping into leadership roles, such as presenting at the EMMP’s dedicated session at the 2024 European Congress of Pathology. However, the real measure of success will come when graduates return to their labs and apply their training. Assessing how effectively this translates into improved patient care and career advancement will be crucial.
This experience has underscored the importance of collective effort—educators, administrators, institutions, and partners working together with a shared purpose. Collaboration across disciplines and countries has proven essential to tackling challenges like implementing precision medicine. Despite the logistical hurdles of coordinating such a large-scale program across Europe, the rewards have been immense. It reaffirms the transformative power of education and the need for academia to adapt to modern medicine’s demands continuously. Ultimately, the program’s value lies in shaping future leaders in molecular pathology and its potential to improve lives.
For detailed information about the program and contact details, please visit our official website: https://univ-cotedazur.eu/msc/european-msc-molecular-pathology
