Programme FAQ
FAQ and Information for candidates
What is the selection process for candidates? Candidates may apply for one, two or three placements. If they select more than one, they will be asked to indicate their choice in order of priority when they fill in the online application form. Applications are reviewed by the EPA Early Career Psychiatrists Committee to verify eligibility criteria and approve placement requests based on candidates profiles / proposed specialties of the host institution.
Does the programme include any fees, or financial support for selected candidates? There is no application fee for the programme. For successful applicants, the EPA is pleased to offer scholarships of €850 to help with travel, accommodation and other expenses. The EPA Office will proceed with the payment of this scholarship once the observership is complete. GEP participants will receive the scholarship via wire transfer shortly after the end date of their placement.
What types of placements are proposed? GEP placements come in the form of observerships. According to their profile and activities, institutions can offer clinical, academic, research-focused observerships, or a combination of these areas. The topics are indicated in each placement description. Candidates cannot apply for a placement in the country they are currently living in. Applicants must be familiar with the proposed specialty of the department/ institution they have chosen.
What is the timeframe and duration of placements? Dates and length of placements are discussed directly between the host institution and the selected candidate to find the best possible arrangement for both parties. Placements should be organised in the course of 2024, ideally before 30 September 2024. The recommended duration for placements is between 2 to 8 weeks. Selected candidates will have to negotiate the terms with their own institution to go on leave.
What is the working language? The applicant should be fluent in English, and possibly have notions of the host country language for clinical purposes (see list of placements).
Travel, accommodation, and visa arrangements: The EPA Office will put GEP participants in contact with their host institution supervisors, by email. Participants will have to negotiate dates and details of their observership directly with their host institution supervisor before making any arrangements. GEP participants should initiate any necessary visa procedures sufficiently in advance of their visit to the host institution, and are free to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Please note that host institutions may propose accommodation and meals at reduced rates. This information is included in each placement description.
What work is expected from selected candidates? GEP participants are encouraged to prepare a presentation about their work, institution and interests to be performed at the hosting institution as a way of sharing knowledge. Likewise, they are also strongly encouraged to present the experience gained during the programme at their home institution. As different countries have different regulations for patient confidentiality and right to clinical work, the exact level of patient contact or clinical participation during the GEP placements should be discussed with the host institutions. The EPA Office will ask participants to write a report and to complete an evaluation form at the end of their observership, before scholarship payment is made. Example of reports from previous winners can be found on this page: https://www.europsy.net/previous-participants/
Contact
For any questions, please contact epa.gep@europsy.net.