Clinical Trials Exchange Program – Cross-Border Visits 2025–2026

Strengthening Europe’s cross-border collaboration in clinical trials

Within Task 8.2.6: Clinical Trials, we are pleased to be running the Clinical Trials Exchange Program—an initiative designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and practical, peer-to-peer learning across Europe’s clinical trials community. The program brings together a broad spectrum of centers, ranging from well-established clinical trial units conducting trials across all phases to emerging sites that are only beginning to build their capabilities.

The program supports the wider goals of Task 8.2.6 by bringing staff of Cancer Centers and CCCs closer together, encouraging the exchange of effective approaches, troubleshooting (local) bottlenecks and helping streamline clinical trial processes. Ultimately, this contributes to more equitable access to clinical trials for patients across Europe.

What the Exchange Program is

The Clinical Trials Exchange Program connects professionals from clinical trial units through a series of 1.5-day cross-border site visits, taking place from October 2025 to January 2026. One host institution welcomes two to three visiting institutions to maximize outreach and interaction. Each visit is built around the host institution’s strengths and expertise, so visiting teams can focus on relevant topics and take home insights that are directly useful in their own settings. 

What participants can expect

Each visit typically includes:

• Presentations and institutional overviews of all institutions
• Expert discussions centred on shared challenges and practical solutions
• Integrated site tours to explore workflows, systems, and day-to-day practice

Who is involved

The program brings together a broad range of professionals, including:

• Clinicians and principal investigators, focusing on patient-centred topics such as trial readiness, recruitment pathways, and long-term retention strategies
• Clinical trial managers and experts, study coordinators and research nurses exploring organisational tools, digital systems, and practical approaches for daily trial management

Participating institutions and schedule (Oct 2025 – Jan 2026)

• Cork University Hospital (with Trinity College Dublin), Ireland — 14–15 Oct 2025
• Attending: Skåne University Hospital (Sweden); Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (Latvia)

• CCC Niedersachsen Göttingen/Hannover & Hannover Medical School, Germany — 29–30 Oct 2025
• Attending: Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria (Portugal); Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden)

• Helsinki University Hospital, Finland — 30–31 Oct 2025
• Attending: Cork University Hospital – Cancer Trials Unit (Ireland); National Cancer Institute (Slovakia); Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology (Spain)

• Vall Hebron Institute of Oncology, Spain — 19–20 Nov 2025
• Attending: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana (Slovenia); Sahlgrenska CCC Gothenburg (Sweden); Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre (Cyprus)

• Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden — 26–27 Jan 2026
• Attending: National Cancer Center Vilnius (Lithuania) and Kaunas Hospital (Lithuania); CCC Niedersachsen / Hannover Medical School (Germany); Institute of Oncology Ljubljana (Slovenia);

By enabling teams to learn directly from each other’s workflows and approaches, the Exchange Program strengthens collaboration across Europe and supports practical improvements to clinical trial delivery—helping move toward more consistent and equitable access for patients. Additionally, the visit may serve as a first contact, which may develop in long-lasting interactions and collaborations. This is exemplified by the fact that the Exchange Program to VHIO resulted in a follow-up project between the four insititutions to tackle a common bottleneck.

How to get in touch – Task 8.2.6 Activities

For any questions about the Exchange Programs please contact the Task 8.2.6 Lead Team – Dina Dabaghie (dina.dabaghie@regionstockholm.se), Katarina Risbecker (katarina.risbecker@regionstockholm.se), Marina Pavanello (marina.pavanello@ulssm.min-saude.pt) or Christina Stangl (christinastangl@vhio.net).