Constitution

Article I Name The Association shall be called "European Association for Cancer Research". It is a non profit-making, voluntary organization.

Article II Duration
The Association, founded on January 9th 1968, is established in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for a period of 29 years and 11 months until December 9th 1997. The duration was extended on April 6th 1993, in Brussels, Belgium, for a period of 50 years until December 9th 2047.

Article III Aim
The aim of the Association shall be the advancement of cancer research.

Article IV Membership
The Association shall consist of active, student, emeritus, honorary, distinguished and sustaining members. The first five categories of membership shall be open to individual scientists as well as members of scientific societies engaged in cancer research. The last category is open to organizations in recognition of regular contributions to the aims and activities of the Association. Members will be elected according to By-Laws approved by the General Assembly.

Article V Organization
The Association shall include: (a) General Assembly (b) Council (c) Executive Committee (d) Nominating Committee (e) Honorary Fellows
(a) The General Assembly as the supreme governing body of the Association is composed of the members of the Association. It should meet at least every two years.
(b) The Council is an advisory body and meets annually.
Its membership comprises representatives of ‘National Societies’ affiliated to EACR; representatives of ‘Sustaining Member’ organisations; members elected from countries which meet the criteria for Council representation as set out in the By-Laws; three openly elected seats; and seats for non-European countries which are geographically and/or scientifically closely linked to Europe and share the aims of the Association.

The term of office for each elected Council member is four years.
(c) The Executive Committee will be elected by the General Assembly. It will be composed of 5 Members, 2 Young Representatives and the following officers: 1) President, 2) President-Elect, 3) Past-President, 4) Secretary 5) Treasurer and 6) Executive Director. The members will be elected for a term of four years in a way that at least two will retire every two years. Young Representatives will be elected for a term of four years and are eligible for subsequent election as members. To secure a balance of new and experienced members, the EC may wish to recommend a two year extension of a member or Young Representative’s term of office to the General Assembly

The officers will be elected for a term of two years. The Secretary and Treasurer are eligible for re-election. The position of Executive Director is ex-officio.
The Executive Committee shall in consultation with the Nominating Committee fill any incidental vacancies arising in membership of the Council and the Executive Committee by co-opting another member who shall hold office for the remainder of the period of office of the member whom he or she replaces. The co-opted member shall be eligible for election to the Executive Committee and the Council immediately thereafter.
(d) The Nominating Committee is composed of the Past-President (chair) and four members of the Council, elected by the Council.
(e) Acting on behalf of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to nominate and to elect one or more Honorary Fellows of the EACR and one or more Distinguished Members of the EACR on the occasion of major meetings of the Association. This fellowship or this membership shall be awarded to a person who has shown exceptional service in furthering the aims, objectives and activities of the Association. The Honorary Fellows and the Distinguished Members of the EACR will be entitled to Honorary Life Membership of the EACR and shall be consulted by the Executive Committee in an advisory capacity in the general affairs and policies of the Association.

Article VI Changes in the Constitution and Dissolution of the Association
Amendments to the Constitution and proposals for the dissolution of the Association shall first be submitted to the Secretary in writing for consideration by the Executive Committee. The proposed amendments or dissolution with the recommendations of the Executive Committee shall be submitted to the Council and the General Assembly either at a business meeting or by correspondence. A two third majority vote of those present at the General Assembly or of those voting by correspondence shall be required for adoption of the proposed amendment or dissolution of the Association. In the event of the dissolution of the Association becoming effective, the General Assembly shall designate trustees charged with the liquidation of the Association's assets which will be donated to one or more non-profit making organizations.

Incorporated in the Netherlands, Koninkiljk besluit d.d.2-4-1970 nr.88
The Constitution was amended in Nottingham 1975, in Vienna 1979, in Copenhagen 1983, in Brussels 1993, in Stockholm 1998 in Granada 2002, in Innsbruck 2004 and in Nottingham 2007 and 2008.