Summer School for Early-Career Researchers

The call for applications is now open through May 31, 2024.

Applications are open for post-docs and advanced PhD students who are enrolled in a cancer immunotherapy program and who have a research focus in cellular immunotherapies.

We will consider abstracts related to the field of cellular immunotherapies against cancer. This encompasses a wide array of topics, such as T cell receptor (TCR), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell, NK cell or tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies, as well as studies investigating factors leading to failure and success of cellular therapies.

2024 Summer School

September 15-18, 2024
Palmela, Portugal

a program of the CIMT Academy of Translational Cancer Immunology in collaboration
with the Champalimaud Foundation.


Learn and connect in an extraordinary retreat setting.

Summer School features:

  • Every participant will have the opportunity to give an oral presentation and show a poster of their work.

  • Program devotes ample time for thorough discussion of participants’ projects with all speakers and faculty.

  • Speakers and faculty will share their experience in combining science and entrepreneurship in an exciting and fast-moving field.

  • Time for one-on-one conversations offers participants exclusive networking opportunities to fuel their careers.

  • Lectures and discussion groups including: drug development, aspects of clinical translation, and career development.

Confirmed speakers and faculty:

Markus Maeurer (Champalimaud Foundation and Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center), Johanna Olweus (Oslo University Hospital), Franco Marincola (Sonata Therapeutics), Fridtjof Lund-Johansen (Oslo University Hospital), Dolores Schendel (Medigene), Sébastien Wälchli (Oslo University Hospital). Laurie Menger (Institut Gustave Roussy)

More program information will be posted soon.

Application and registration

Applications are open for post-docs and advanced PhD students. We will consider abstracts related to the field of cellular immunotherapies against cancer. This encompasses a wide array of topics, such as T cell receptor (TCR), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell, NK cell or tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies, as well as studies investigating factors leading to failure and success of cellular therapies.

Applications are evaluated and selected by the Summer School program committee.

The registration fee of 485 EUR includes accommodation, all meals, and transfer from and to Lisbon. The registration fee will be due after the selection process, with the binding, final event registration.

Summer School participants will also be invited to attend the CIMT Cancer Cell Therapy Summit hosted by Champalimaud. The Summit will take place September 18-19 in Lisbon. Registration fees will be waived for Summer School participants.

Application deadline: May 31, 2024

Please see the Application Guidelines for more information on how to apply. For questions, please write to office[at]cimt.eu.


Location and venue:

The Summer School will take place at Pousada Castelo De Palmela, an old convent next to a 12th century castle in the small town of Palmela, 42 km southeast of Lisbon. Sitting 230 metres above sea level, the Pousada has fantastic views of the Serra da Arrábida, over the Atlantic ocean and over the lowlands and vineyards of the region.

The city of Setúbal, just south of Palmela, is surrounded by one of Portugal’s most beautiful coastlines, the Costa Azul, with beautiful beaches that attract tourists, nature lovers, and surfers alike.

Klick here for further information about Palmela and the venue.