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AIM CHINA – Advanced Imaging Mentorship

exchanging excellence

ESOR’s Advanced Imaging Mentorship (AIM) China is a new training programme that fosters the exchange between European and Chinese radiological training centres, with a strong focus on research. This programme, supported by both Bracco Imaging and Siemens Healthineers, is designed in collaboration with the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and coordinated by the European School of Radiology (ESOR).

Applicants may choose from 38 research projects across 7 European countries. These projects have been sorted by subspecialty.

we are looking for research proposals for 2026 - click here

how to apply

Applications Closed

Deadline: 30 September 2025

  1. These fellowships are aimed at trained radiologists.
  2. Fellowships are available for applicants up to the age of 40 years (at the time of application).
  3. Applicants must be active ESR members (To renew or receive ESR membership, please proceed to this webpage).
  4. Applicants must have a working proficiency in English. This will be tested during a short online interview. Additional languages are a bonus.
  5. Candidates must reside in China at the time of application.
  6. Applicants must provide all the required documents, in English, in one single .pdf file. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  7. Candidates may be interviewed online prior to selection.
  8. Applicants can choose from applying to either a self-funded track or a sponsored track. 
Candidates will be informed once their application has been processed and assessed by the Evaluations Committee- this may be several weeks after the submission deadline of September 30. 

Please note:

  • You may only apply to one ESOR training programme at a time.
  • You may submit only one application for the AIM China Fellowship. You may indicate two preferred research project choices.
  • Selected fellows are asked to apply for their own visas, work permits, and insurance. Please consider potentially long visa application waiting times when applying. Training centres may provide assistance. 
  • Selected fellows must secure their own accommodation. Training centres may provide further advice. Training centres may request further documentation prior to the programme’s start.
  • Only complete applications can be considered. Please ensure that your application is formatted as one complete, single .pdf file.
  • Four sponsored places are available, based on a needs assessment. ESOR also accepts self-funded applications for this programme.

The following documents must be submitted to the MyESR portal in a single PDF:

01

Application Form

A completed and signed application form. The checklist at the bottom of the application form specifies relevant documents

02

ESOR Standard CV*

using the ESOR curriculum vitae template (.docx)

03

Letter of Motivation

Addressed to the Evaluation Committee and including a summary of your training background, areas of particular strength and interest, and a brief description of how you would hope to implement and apply your medical training

04

At least two Letters of Recommendation

Addressed to the Evaluation Committee from the Head of Department or Academic Tutor of a current or prior centre 

05

Proof of self-funding / Proof of need for sponsorship

A signed declaration from a Head of Department or Academic Tutor confirming that the candidate is self-funded, or a signed declaration from the candidate confirming that they cannot self-fund and need financial support from ESOR

06

Additional documentation

Additional documentation which may help your application must be attached at the bottom of the document, titled, in English

Please submit your application through the MyESR portal.

Further information that may assist your application can be found at AIM China Guidelines.

Candidates may be asked to take part in a short online interview to determine their level of English proficiency. 

*Each candidate must submit their CV in the provided ESOR format. Differing CV formats will not be considered. Please note that only complete applications can be considered. To apply for, or renew, your ESR membership, please click here.

 

projects

Abdominal
ProjectTitleLeaderInstitutionLocation
1 📄Differences of mucinous vs non mucinous locally advanced rectal cancer response to neoadjuvant therapy treatment in a curative setting: retrospective multicentre cohort studyGiuseppe PetraliaIstituto Europeo di OncologiaMilan/IT
2 📄A radiomic approach to evaluate histopathological heterogeneity in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and their liver metastasesMaria Antonietta BaliFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
3 📄Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) as an imaging biomarker for mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomaMaria Antonietta BaliFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
4_B1  📄Imaging and pathology in hepatocellular carcinoma: toward integrated stratification for precision managementMaxime RonotHôpital BeaujonClichy/FR
5_B5  📄Multiparametric ultrasound of the liver: non-invasive assessment of steatosis and fibrosisPalmino SaccoUniversity of SienaSiena/IT
ProjectTitleLeader InstitutionLocation
7 📄Unseen footprint: quantifying the environmental burden of data storage in breast imagingPaolo BelliFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
8_B11 📄Multiparametric 18F-FDG PET/MRI coupled with radiomics analysis and machine learning for prediction and assessment of response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with breast cancerThomas HelbichMedical University of ViennaVienna/AT
ProjectTitleLeader InstitutionLocation
9 📄Role of coronary computed tomography in patients with Severe vALvular Regurgitation candidates fOr cardiac InterventionS : the SALVROS studyGiuseppe MuscogiuriASST Papa Giovanni XXIIIBergamo/IT
10 📄Quantitative texture analysis of the myocardium using photon counting CT: a novel imaging  biomarker for subclinical myocardial diseaseIsabelle AyxUniversity Medical Center MannheimMannheim/DE
11 📄Quantitative vs semi-quantitative vs qualitative  stress CMR perfusion in CAD: a PREDICTION sub-studyLuigi NataleFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
39 📄International multicentre validation & continual-learning framework for cardiovascular oncologyHans-Ulrich KauczorHeidelberg University HospitalHeidelberg/DE

 

ProjectTitleLeader InstitutionLocation
12 📄Advancing MR techniches in faetal musculoskeletal systemGregor KasprianMedical University of ViennaVienna/IT
13 📄Artificial intelligence meets bone health: developing an AI-predictive model for the evaluation of bone status with REMS, OPT, and DXAGiuseppe GuglielmiUniversity of FoggiaFoggia/IT
14_B26 📄Deep learning analysis in diagnosing otosclerosis on temporal bone CT scansEsther Granell MorenoHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant PauBarcelona/ES
ProjectTitleLeaderInstitutionLocation
15 📄Exploring the mechanism of brain microvascular changes in the progression of Parkinson’s disease based on magnetic resonance imagingHans-Ulrich KauczorHeidelberg University HospitalHeidelberg/DE
16 📄Fluid-suppressed APT weighted imaging in biopsy-proven tumoural and non-tumoural lesionsLucia NichelliPitié Salpêtrière HospitalParis/FR
17 📄Exploring the tumour microenvironment in high-grade gliomas using multiparametric MRI and radiomicsSimona GaudinoFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
18 📄Carotid stent evaluation using the Naetom Alpha.Pro photon-counting scanner: image quality, artifact reduction, and optimal monoenergetic imagingFelix T. KurzGeneva University HospitalsGeneva/CH
19_B27 📄Metabolic imaging of cancer and the brain using MRI and PETFerdia GallagherUniversity of CambridgeCambridge/UK
20_B28 📄Ultra-low field MRI in brain coma, a comparative study with 3T MRI Fabrice BonnevilleUniversity Hospital of ToulouseToulouse/FR
21_B30 📄MR brain vein phenotypes and their relationship with brain ageing and neurovascular diseasesJosep Lluis Munuera del CerroHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant PauBarcelona/ES
22_B31 📄AI vs. radiologist: a comparative study of brain MRI reporting for abnormality detectionThomas BoothKing’s College LondonLondon/UK
23_B32 📄Device outcomes in intracranial aneurysm treatment: an evaluation of safety and efficacyThomas BoothKing’s College LondonLondon/UK
24_B33 📄Investigating the prognostic significance of cystathionine detection in diffuse gliomasLucia NichelliPitié Salpêtrière HospitalParis/FR
ProjectTitleLeaderInstitutionLocation
25 📄Generative and explainable AI in oncologic imaging: diagnosis, prognosis, and tumour characterisationLuis Martí-BonmatíHospital Universitario y Politécnico La FeValencia/ES
26 📄Assessing pelvic lymph node metastases by combining MRI-based fat content, cellularity, and spatial imaging featuresLuca RussoFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
27 📄Dual-Energy CT in cancer imaging: from clinical use to scientific insightMaria Antonietta MazzeiUniversity of SienaSiena/IT
28 📄Real-time MRI thermometry data for liver tumour ablation using inverse thermal modellingMax SeidenstickerLMU MünchenMunich/DE
ProjectTitleLeaderInstitutionLocation
29 📄Deep-learning analysis of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for predicting progression and mortality in fibrotic interstitial lung disease: the added value over clinico-functional assessmentAnna Rita LariciFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCSRome/IT
30 📄Automated detection of normal chest CTs using self-supervised learning methodsMatthias MayUniversity Hospital ErlangenErlangen/DE
31_B41 📄HRCT for lung transplant: from pattern recognition to precision diagnosisMaria Antonietta MazzeiUniversity of SienaSiena/IT
32_B42 📄Chest CT evaluation of lung involvement in primary antibody immunodeficiencies (PAD): visual scoring reliability, correlation with pulmonary function tests, and AI-assisted diagnostic performanceLorenzo CereserUniversity of UdineUdine/IT
33_B43 📄CT and US guided thoracic interventionism Victor Fernández-LoboHospital Universitario Marqués de ValdecillaSantander/ES
40 📄International multicentre validation & continual-learning framework for pulmonary diseaseHans-Ulrich KauczorUniversity Hospital HeidelbergHeidelberg/DE
Project Title Leader Institution Location
34 📄 Unravelling tumour heterogeneity using imaging to better predict treatment outcome in ovarian cancer  Giacomo Avesani Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS Rome/IT
35_B45 📄 Investigating novel MRI sequences to improve prostate cancer assessment Vicky Goh King’s College London London/UK
36_B46 📄 Improving the imaging assessment of anal canal cancer to novel therapies Vicky Goh King’s College London London/UK
37_B47 📄 Prostate MRI: a journey from initial diagnosis to active surveillance and treatment Francesco Giganti University College London London/UK
38_B48 📄 On-table monitoring prostate MRI in assessing prostate cancer: inter-reader agreement, impact on upfront risk stratification, and cost-effectiveness analysis Rossano Girometti University of Udine Udine/IT

Duration of Fellowship
and Funding

The Fellowship will last for 3 months and must take place in the first half of 2026 (January to June). The host training center may prolong the Fellowship online for up to three further more months, although this is not compulsory. The fellow must ensure their availability for the exact agreed period as postponement is not possible. Those selected candidates that have requested financial support during the application process will receive a grant (€5.000,-) following the completion of the onsite training and delivery of a final report, signed by the Head of Department of the hosting training centre. The grant is intended to contribute in part to travel and accommodation expenses during the training period. ESOR cannot guarantee that the grant will cover these costs in full. No fee will be charged for the training itself. During the training period, the fellow is responsible for covering their expenses, including health insurance, accommodation, and paperwork.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

This Fellowship helps the applicant develop or establish a research programme in their institution. Instruction is given on data acquisition and analysis, procedure and image review, and data quality and bias management, through collaboration with statisticians, clinicians, and clinical scientists. Post-processing tools, writing skills, and presentation styles are also discussed.

The applicant will spend three months in a world-leading training centre working closely on a research project of their choice with experts in their field. 

It is the Fellows’ responsibility to communicate with the host centre should the Fellow want greater responsibilities. ESOR acts solely as a facilitator and coordinator between the host centre and Fellow.

The training will be in English.

Certification

Upon the completion of the training programme, the fellow receives a certificate from ESR/ESOR after having submitted a written report about his/her work and activities during the training programme.

Evaluation Committee

Applications to this programme will be evaluated by members of ESOR’s Steering and Programme Planning Committees.

In cooperation with

Previous Fellows

"This program provided me with a deeper understanding of the differences between Chinese and British radiology practices. The experience has inspired future plans for international collaboration, including knowledge exchange programs, joint research projects, and continued education"

Dr. Xuanxuan Li
Jo Li Fellow, 2024
General Training Programme and Neuroradiology.

Hear what previous ESOR students think

"I really felt your great desire to convey your experience in examination techniques, approach, diagnosis and treatment methods."

- Natia Javakhishvili

"Very good collection of cases and excellent presentation by speakers. Thanking each and every one involved in presentation, both on screen and off screen."

- Théo Lefèvre

"I learned a lot during this lecture that I will surely apply to my training and future practice. Looking forward to attending more ESOR lectures in the future."

- Emil Petrov