With this communication, we aim to provide a preview of the main topics that will be covered in the 2024 Lung Science Conference (LSC). This conference is organised by the European Respiratory Society and provides ample opportunities for early career members to network with peers and experts from around the world. The 22nd Lung Science Conference will take place on 14–17 March 2024, in Estoril, Portugal, as well as online in a hybrid format.

The LSC is at the forefront of basic and translational respiratory science, serving as a crucial event for aspiring researchers in the field. It offers a unique opportunity to present cutting-edge work on novel experimental lung research and to expand your network. The conference promotes both basic and translational research [1] and is a perfect illustration of the bridge that can be built between research and clinical practice. This conference provides the opportunity to showcase the latest research findings, to forge new connections and cultivate potential collaborations that will contribute to boost one's career in the respiratory field.

This year's edition of LSC will focus on the hot-topic of “Development of chronic lung diseases: from life-spanning mechanisms to preventive therapy”, specifically focusing on genetic and environmental determinants, chronological and biological mechanisms, early diagnosis, and novel regenerative approaches in chronic lung diseases. You can access the full conference programme here: www.ersnet.org/events/lung-science-conference-2024/programme/.

The LSC 2024 programme was developed by an expert committee consisting of Silke Meiners (ERS Conferences and Seminar Director), David Drummond, Rosa Faner Canet, Rory Morty and Ana Mora (the LSC 2024 Programme Coordinators). The LSC offers the opportunity to present the latest research results, in the form of an oral presentation or a poster, and represents a remarkable opportunity to spend a few days at a conference that brings together the best scientists in their field and early career researchers [2]. Moreover, among the selected abstracts, the authors of the five best abstracts will have the opportunity to present their work in a special “Young Investigator Session” and compete for the prestigious William MacNee Award. By presenting your work at the LSC 2024, you will also get the chance to be recognised by the Geoffrey Laurent Award for the best oral presentation, or a Distinguished Poster Award for the best poster presenters. You can check out the winners of the last year's William MacNee Award, the Geoffrey Laurent Award and Distinguished Poster Awards here: www.ersnet.org/news-and-features/news/ers-lung-science-conference-2023-post-event/. Additionally, early career professionals that successfully apply and secure a bursary will be invited to join the mentorship lunch discussion on Friday with their respective mentors, with whom they will be able to discuss specific aspects of their research/clinical career and opportunities for collaborations.

Following previous editions [2, 3], the LSC 2024 will also include a career development session organised by the ERS Early Career Member Committee [4], taking place on Saturday afternoon. This year's Early Career Delegate session will focus on “The power of collaboration” and will include exciting short talks on “Academic collaboration with worldwide leaders”, “Collaboration with industrial partners”, “Early career collaboration with respiratory peers”, “When/where/how to get started in the collaboration cycle?”, and “Where successful collaborations are a must and how ERS can help you accessing these opportunities”. After the presentations, there will be a round table where young researchers will have the chance to ask questions of the panellists and to share previous/ongoing experiences in an informal setting. It will follow a pre-dinner talk on the “Birth cohort for low- and middle-income settings” which will ensure an interesting discussion about a very relevant subject for all of those attending. At the end of the day, the LSC expert committee will host the award ceremony, formally recognising the best presentations at the LSC 2024. All onsite delegates will have the opportunity to continue networking and discussing science during the congress dinner and social event on Saturday night. Attending the conference, both in person or online, will endow the delegates with a comprehensive programme of science and access to mentorship opportunities. However, please be aware that only delegates attending in person will benefit from poster sessions, onsite exhibition, mentorship lunch, pre-dinner talk, in-person networking activities and the social events.

In short, the LSC 2024 offers access to cutting-edge scientific sessions, the opportunity to network with international experts, the possibility to present and discuss the latest findings, and be mentored by ERS leaders. Several ERS officers and early career member representatives will actively engage in and moderate the sessions at the LCS 2024 and will be happy to help you get involved in the ERS activities. You can keep up to date with activities by following us on Twitter/X (@EarlyCareerERS) and Facebook (ERS Early Career Members). We are looking forward to welcoming you to Estoril for the 22nd LSC in March 2024!