Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce the availability of travel fellowships for colleagues from low and middle income countries (LMIC) to attend the 21ˢᵗ International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO 2024) hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) from June 29 –July 2, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

ISPNO is the largest and most important scientific meeting focused on pediatric central nervous system tumors. ISPNO welcomes attendees from around the world and attracts clinicians and researchers from a wide range of disciplines including neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neurology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, rehabilitation medicine, nursing, and more, as well as advocates and supporters of the pediatric neuro-oncology community. The agenda includes a comprehensive scientific program covering the latest preclinical, translational, and clinical research updates on virtually all areas of pediatric neuro-oncology – diagnostics, treatment and clinical trial advances, novel drug delivery systems, biomarkers, preclinical models, tumor microenvironment, imaging, outcomes and late effects. As one of the largest cities in the United States, visitors to Philadelphia enjoy world-class restaurants, first rate museums, and beautiful city parks. In addition, as the birthplace of America, Philadelphia is steeped in historical significance with many extraordinary attractions like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. The symposium venue, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, is in the heart of the city and only a short walk to most of the historical sites and major city attractions.

At present, we are able to offer 20 travel fellowships for colleagues from LMIC. Each awardee will receive free registration and a maximum of $1000 to cover costs such as travel and accommodations. These grants are partially supported by donations from ISPNO 2022 chaired by Stefan Rutkowski and Stefan Pfister and hosted by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg.

All grant recipients should actively participate in the conference. In case they have not submitted an abstract through the meeting website before the final abstract deadline (February 12, 2024), they are expected to submit an abstract on a topic of their choice with their grant application (this could include a small case series). The abstracts should not exceed 300 words and be formatted as regularly submitted abstracts (see below). Successful applicants are expected to present their abstracts as posters at one of the ISPNO 2024 poster sessions, which will be held on Sunday June 30th and Monday July 1st. Of note, because of timing, these abstracts will not be included in the regular abstract supplement to Neuro-Oncology. In addition, all applicants are requested to submit a Letter of Motivation for their grant application (max. 1 page, see below) and their curriculum vitae (CV).

All applications must be submitted to ISPNO2024@chop.edu by April 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but recipients will be notified no later than April 15, 2024.
All recipients will receive a reimbursement form to submit their travel expenses together with the receipts (boarding passes, hotel invoices etc.). Submission of the expenses is expected after the symposium by July 31st, 2024. You will receive more information in your acceptance letter.

We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

Sincerely,
Michael Fisher, M.D. Co-Chair, ISPNO 2024
Chief, Neuro-Oncology Section Director, Neurofibromatosis Program
Hubert J.P. and Anne Faulkner Schoemaker Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Division of
Oncology
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Phillip B. Storm, M.D. Co-Chair, ISPNO 2024
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery Co-Director, Neuroscience Center Leslie N. Sutton Endowed Chair in
Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

ISPNO 2024 LMIC Travel Fellowships – Application Requirements

To be considered for a travel award, please submit the following as a single PDF to ISPNO2024@chop.edu:

1) Abstract: If you have already done so via the website prior to the final abstract deadline, please let us know the title of the abstract. If you have not already done so, please see guidelines below.
2) Letter of Motivation
a. Please let us know why you want to and/or why it’s important for you to attend ISPNO 2024.
b. Format: 1 page maximum. Calibri or Times New Roman, 12 point.
3) Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Abstract Guidelines

• Title: 50 word maximum
• Abstract: 300 word maximum.
o Tables and/or figures not allowed.
o Please provide a structured abstract using the following headings (please underline the headings): “Background:”, “Methods:”, “Results:”,
“Conclusions:”
• Authors: maximum of 75 authors
• Institutional Affiliation: maximum of 2 per author
• Font: Calibri or Times New Roman, 12 point