Young EFIS: Three years of progress – Reflecting on achievements and embracing new horizons

Over three years ago, in February 2020, a group of enthusiastic early career immunologists joined forces to create the young European Federation of Immunological Societies (yEFIS) network [1] (Fig. 1). Operating under the auspices of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS), yEFIS was established with a primary focus on supporting and empowering junior researchers in the field of immunology across the continent [1, 2]. The yEFIS community encompasses Early Career Researchers (ECRs) specializing in immunology, ranging from doctoral candidates to professionals with less than a decade of work experience, excluding periods of PhD studies, parental leave, and sick leave. It welcomes immunologists from various domains, including academia, industry, and nonacademic roles like journal editors and scientific communicators, thereby representing the interests of a broader spectrum beyond ECRs. The primary mission of the yEFIS network is to facilitate interaction and knowledge exchange among colleagues throughout Europe, fostering collaborations and jointly addressing shared career-related challenges.