This article contains a selection of scientific highlights in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) presented at the hybrid European Respiratory Society (ERS) congress 2022. Early Career Members of Assembly 12 summarize recent advances in translational and clinical research in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, ILDs of known origin, sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases, and rare ILDs. Many studies focused on evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic (bio)markers, and novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for different ILDs. Besides, new insights in clinical, physiological, and radiological features of various rare ILDs were presented.