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About the program
Pancreas 2000 is a two-year post-graduate educational program designed to train the next generation of European pancreatologists. Developed by leading European pancreas specialists, the program combines in-depth scientific education with research training and leadership development — all within a pan-European network of mentors, peers, and alumni.
Each course consists of five face-to-face meetings of two to three days each, held at accessible venues near major European cities. Participants — selected from across Europe — work closely with mentors who are widely recognized leaders in pancreatology. Guest faculty enriches meetings with lectures in their areas of expertise.
Core Skills
Each meeting is designed to develop three core competencies:
- Foundations of Pancreatology — Physiology, acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer (PDAC), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), cystic neoplasms, and hereditary pancreatitis, approached through a multidisciplinary lens
- Scientific Methods and Research Skills — Mentees work in groups of five to six to design, conduct, and publish an original research project, gaining hands-on experience in study design, biostatistics, publication ethics, and scientific writing. This work is actively supported by an expert statistician
- Leadership and Intercultural Skills — A trained psychologist specialized in professional development leads dedicated sessions on cross-cultural collaboration, project management, and leadership
The program also provides access to a broad network of senior and junior specialists, the opportunity to conduct clinical or experimental research, and personal mentoring by recognized experts in pancreatology.
History
Pancreas 2000 was founded in response to a recognized crisis in the field. As Roland Schmid, Associate Editor of Gastroenterology, wrote in 2010: "pancreatology was losing researchers, struggling to attract post-doctoral fellows, and failing to retain young talent. The field was, in his words, at risk of producing "an endangered species."
Recognizing the urgency, a group of leading European pancreatologists launched a structured program to educate and train young physicians, rejuvenate the field, and build a durable pan-European research network. The project took its name from its founding year, and the first course launched in August 1999 in Möckelhult, Sweden.
Over 20 years and 11 completed courses later, Pancreas 2000 has trained more than 300 graduates, most of whom now hold leading positions at specialized pancreas centers across Europe and North America. Several founding faculty members continue to participate as active mentors. Research projects from multiple courses have been published in top-tier journals.
Today, Pancreas 2000 is the official post-graduate course of the European Pancreatic Club and is supported by unrestricted educational grants from industry and scientific partner institutions.
Read about the history of Pancreas 2000 and its projects here and here.
Who Can Apply?
Pancreas 2000 welcomes applicants who have completed their undergraduate medical training and who are pursuing or planning a career in pancreatology. Eligible candidates are typically residents or interns in medicine or surgery, or graduate students with a strong and documented interest in the pancreas — for example, through undergraduate studies or a master's thesis.
Specialties represented in past courses include: gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, radiology, and pathology
Candidates must demonstrate a clear commitment to specializing in pancreatology. Being an active member in the EPC is an advantage. The next course will begin in Fall of 2028. A call for applications will likely go out in September 2027. Watch the EPC social media channels and this website for more news and updates.
Questions? Contact us at info@europeanpancreaticclub.org
Become a Sponsor
Pancreas 2000 keeps expenses low by design: faculty donate their time and participants cover their own travel. The program relies on unrestricted educational grants from industry, collaborations with scientific partner organizations, and professional associations for funding. Sponsors have no role in the selection of faculty or course content, however, they do have the opportunity to attend meetings and interact directly with mentors, participants and guest speakers.
To discuss sponsorship contact: office@europeanpancreaticclub.org