Carreras Postdoc Program Empowering Future Leaders to Fight Blood Cancers

Project Information

CarrerasLeaders

Grant agreement ID: 101081347

DOI

10.3030/101081347

EC signature date 7 September 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2028

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 292 480,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE RECERCA CONTRA LA LEUCEMIA JOSEP CARRERAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CarrerasLeaders (Carreras Postdoc Program Empowering Future Leaders to Fight Blood Cancers)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The CarrerasLeaders program is an international postdoctoral initiative led by the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), a non-profit biomedical research center specializing in leukemia and other blood cancers. This program addresses a critical need for advanced research training in hematological malignancies by funding a total of 16 outstanding postdoctoral researchers over a three-year period. In its initial phase, 10 researchers were selected through a rigorous evaluation process, with additional rounds planned to reach the full target. The objective is to equip these researchers with the expertise, networks, and innovative skills required to translate cutting-edge discoveries into effective clinical applications.

Despite significant advances in understanding blood cancers, major gaps persist in converting fundamental discoveries into effective treatments. CarrerasLeaders bridges these gaps by fostering interdisciplinary research, promoting early scientific advances, and strengthening career development.
The program covers the full research and innovation cycle - from deciphering disease biology to developing novel treatments, diagnostic tools, and clinical applications- with a global translational approach that ensures leukemia and lymphoma research has a direct real-world impact.

Key broader objectives include:

- Enhancing the quality and focus of postdoctoral research training in blood cancers to address pressing societal needs.
- Promoting cross-sector and interdisciplinary knowledge transfer.
- Empowering emerging researchers to advance their careers within a world-class institution.
- Increasing the competitiveness and global reputation of the IJC blood cancers community.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

As of January 2025, the program has successfully recruited 10 exceptional postdoctoral researchers through a selection process upheld by high scientific and ethical standards, with oversight provided by the Program Management Office (PMO), IJC’s Human Resources team, and external evaluation experts from the Catalan University and Research Grants Management Agency (AGAUR).

Key milestones achieved include:

- Successful recruitment and program visibility: The selection process attracted a diverse international pool of applicants (32.1% from Europe, 29.8% from Asia, 18.3% from North America, and 3.7% from Africa), underscoring the program’s global appeal and reach.
- Strengthening stakeholder networks: Partnerships with leading organizations such as the European Hematology Association (EHA) and the International Society of Experimental Hematology (ISEH) have been enhanced, thereby expanding collaboration opportunities with academia and industry.
- Elevating IJC’s global standing: Early successes have enhanced IJC’s international reputation, attracting top research talent and paving the way for further strategic collaborations.
- Early scientific outcomes: Initial research efforts have yielded preliminary observations regarding disease mechanisms, offering a foundation for further investigation into potential diagnostic applications.

The impact of these achievements is felt on multiple levels:

• Regional & National: Reinforcing Catalonia’s leadership in biomedical research and healthcare innovation.
• European & International: Facilitating global researcher mobility and fostering international collaboration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The CarrerasLeaders program serves as a blueprint for the future of postdoctoral training in blood cancer research. IJC aspires to become a global leader in nurturing highly skilled postdoctoral talent, with this initiative laying the groundwork for a permanent international training platform.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the program is actively:

- Expanding collaborations with donors, industry partners, and foundations by leveraging the Josep Carreras Foundation’s fundraising expertise.
- Strengthening ties with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the translation of research findings into therapeutic solutions.
- Developing a structured career development pathway that includes specialized training modules in both advanced research techniques and entrepreneurship, empowering postdocs with the skills to transform scientific insights into commercial and clinical innovations.

CarrerasLeaders Projects Presentation event on November 26, 2024

CarrerasLeaders Flyer presented at EHA Congress 2023