The International Cancer Foundation (ICF) offers a limited number of Travel Grants to help healthcare professionals and patient advocates attend ESMO Congresses and related events.
The programme aims to reduce financial barriers, facilitate access to scientific and educational exchange, and strengthen cancer care and advocacy worldwide.
ICF Travel Grants support participation in selected ESMO events to help recipients:
Before applying, please consult the ESMO website to identify events aligned with your professional or advocacy work.
Each Travel Grant supports attendance at a selected ESMO event and may include:
ICF Travel Grants normally operate on a reimbursement basis. Recipients are generally expected to cover their costs and submit eligible expenses after the congress.
Reimbursement is based on actual eligible expenses supported by receipts, up to the amount approved by ICF.
We welcome applications from:
A maximum of one ICF Travel Grant may be awarded per person per calendar year.
Applications are reviewed by the ICF based on criteria including:
For healthcare professionals, priority is generally given to applicants with a confirmed contribution to the congress, such as an accepted abstract, poster or presentation.
For patient advocates, applications are assessed primarily on the relevance of the event to their advocacy work, their level of engagement, the expected impact of their participation, and their potential to transfer knowledge to their organisation or community.
Funding is limited and competitive. As the number of applications often exceeds the grants available, meeting the eligibility and prioritisation criteria does not guarantee funding.
If selected, recipients agree to:
Partial or virtual attendance may result in non-reimbursement.
Before the Congress
Click Apply now to download the ICF Travel Grant Application Form.
Complete and sign the form, then send it by email to:
Please also attach:
Your application should include:
Receipt of your application will be confirmed by email.
You will normally be informed of the outcome within approximately two weeks. The review may take longer where several applications for the same event need to be considered together.
If Your Application Is Approved
The approval email will confirm the maximum grant amount awarded and provide the applicable reimbursement documents and instructions.
You will then be responsible for:
Any alternative payment arrangement must be approved by ICF in writing before bookings or payments are made.
If your attendance depends on obtaining a visa, we recommend avoiding non-refundable bookings until your visa has been approved or selecting refundable options where possible.
If needed, ICF can provide a visa support letter template. Applicants must complete the template and return it to ICF for review and signature.
ICF cannot guarantee visa approval or accept responsibility for visa decisions, delays or related financial losses.
Reimbursement After the Congress
Preferably within four weeks after the congress, submit the following documents as one combined PDF:
Expenses must be stated in both the original currency and EUR, using the OANDA exchange rate applicable on the date of purchase.
Only include expenses for which reimbursement is requested. The bank account provided must be able to receive international transfers.
Accommodation
For shared accommodation, including Airbnb bookings, please provide:
Travel
Visa fees
Visa application fees may be reimbursed upon submission of proof of payment.
Registration
Registration fees for the approved ESMO event may be reimbursed upon submission of proof of payment.
The following expenses are not reimbursed:
ICF does not provide medical, travel or accident insurance.
Travel Grant recipients are responsible for arranging adequate insurance for the full duration of their travel and stay. ICF cannot be held responsible for health issues, accidents, cancellations, travel disruption, lost documents or baggage, or other incidents occurring during the travel period.
Adequate travel insurance is strongly recommended.
