AASLD-EASL Masterclass 2026 Empowering the next generation of hepatology leaders
The EASL-AASLD Masterclass provides an intensive programme designed for junior basic or clinical researchers who are shaping the future of hepatology. Over three days, a selected group of junior investigators from Europe and North America gather with EASL/AASLD established KOLs in a highly interactive setting to refine their scientific vision, strengthen leadership skills, and build lasting international collaborations.
The 2026 edition will take place in Alexandria, Virginia (USA), from 11 – 13 December 2026.
The programme has been designed with future leaders in mind, and includes academic lectures, interactive break-out sessions, individual meetings with tutors, abstract presentations, a poster session, and social events which will give early-stage investigators (MD, PhD, or MD/PhD, or equivalent) the opportunity to network with renowned leaders in hepatology and like-minded colleagues in the field.
EASL will provide complimentary registration, travel, and accommodation expenses for up to 10 candidates who are full members of EASL to attend the Masterclass. AASLD will also bring 15 early stage-investigator candidates from the US to attend the Masterclass.
This year, all Masterclass applications must be submitted through the AASLD platform, and creating an AASLD account is required.
Masterclass organisers
EASL organisers:
- Cyrielle Caussy
- Mattias Mandorfer
AASLD organisers:
- Michael R. Lucey
- Rotonya M. Carr
What makes this Masterclass special
- Intensive, tailored training: Leadership, grant strategy, publishing insights, team building, and scientific communication — all integrated into an interactive programme.
- One-on-one mentorship: Individual meetings with established leaders help you sharpen your vision and career trajectory.
- Science and networking: Present your work, receive feedback, and build friendships with future collaborators across continents.
- Limited cohort: With only ~25 early stage investigators selected, the experience is personal, supportive, and career-defining.
- Fully supported for awardees: Complimentary registration, travel, and accommodation (EASL + AASLD support).
What you’ll take away
Tools to lead teams and secure funding
Strategies for impactful publications and oral presentations
A global network of peers and mentors
Confidence to navigate early faculty challenges
What to look forward to
Download the programme to explore the full three-day agenda, session highlights, and opportunities designed to support your development as a future leader in hepatology.
Eligibility & Requirements
To be eligible for this programme, the applicant must fulfil all the following criteria:
- The applicant must reside in Europe (WHO Europe region) and have an active EASL membership at the time of submission of the application and maintain their membership through the event.
- The applicant must be a Junior Faculty member (First Year Instructor – Assistant Professor or equivalent) within the first 5 years of their first faculty appointment at a medical or research institution within Europe at the time of application.
- The applicant must be an investigator with a highly promising record demonstrated by one of the following:
- Received awards during training e.g. Post-doctoral fellow award and/or Advanced Hepatology Fellowship Award and/or
- Received a major independent or mentored external research grant award and/or
- Received investigator-initiated support from industry.
- The applicant must be committed to and demonstrate success as an early career investigator focused on basic, translational or clinical science.
- The applicant must submit an abstract for presentation at the Masterclass. The abstract may be previously published and if selected for Masterclass you may be asked to present as a poster or in an oral session.
- Previous Masterclass attendees (Masterclass alumni) cannot attend again. Previous applicants that were not selected to attend a Masterclass are welcome to apply if they still meet the eligibility criteria.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based upon their training, commitment to hepatology, academic/research accomplishments, letters of support, and their potential as a future leader in hepatology. Review criteria will include:
- Prior and ongoing training
- Publication and Presentation track record
- Honors and awards
- Having received:
- Awards during training e.g.Post-doctoral fellow award and/or Advanced Hepatology Fellowship Award and/or
- Received a major independent or mentored external research grant award and/or
- Received investigator-initiated support from industry
- Potential for successful career in academic hepatology
- Leadership potential
Applications will be reviewed based on the materials submitted. Incomplete applications and applications that fail to adhere strictly to the instructions (including the submission deadline) will not be reviewed. All decisions are final.
Notifications will be send out on 3 August 2026.
Required Documents
Applications are open from 20 April until 15 June 23:59 CEST.
How to apply: Please access and log into the Memberzone. Scroll down to “Applications”, select “Schools and Masterclasses” category and click on “AASLD-EASL Masterclass 2025” apply button.
Submit only the documents listed below:
- Your CV
- Motivation Statement – Describe the benefits of this opportunity to your academic/research career and your motivation for attending.
- Previous accomplishments – Please highlight your previous accomplishments and future career goals.
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation, one from the your Division Chief/Department Chair and one from your Mentor, attesting to your qualifications, commitment to hepatology, quality of work, and leadership potential should be submitted with the application.
- Abstract – Provide your research presentation. Briefly describe the background, methods, results, and conclusions for your study or research.
- List of publications
CME accreditation
The EASL-AASLD Masterclass 2025 Élincourt-Sainte-Marguerite, France, 04/12/2025 – 06/12/2025 organized by The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 10.0 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).
Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications
Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC®s are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.