Objective
The RAREFIND project is an innovative doctoral training program designed to meet the growing need for specialized education in advanced gene and cell therapies. Coordinated by Fondazione Telethon (FTELE) with the School of Advanced Studies (IUSS) as implementing partner, RAREFIND offers a dynamic interdisciplinary and intersectoral training environment. The program encourages international mobility and promotes excellence in research across FTELE’s leading institutes, TIGEM and SR-TIGET, both recognized for their pioneering contributions to genetic research and therapy development. RAREFIND aims to train 22 doctoral candidates (DCs) through cutting-edge research projects on gene therapy, gene editing, and related fields. Participants, selected through a rigorous and competitive process, will receive comprehensive education combining scientific expertise with transferable skills. They will gain hands-on experience in leading laboratories, collaborate closely with non-academic entities, and benefit from secondments and specialized training. This approach ensures exposure to a broad range of perspectives, preparing DCs to advance the development of personalized therapies for rare genetic diseases.
A key pillar of the program is its emphasis on career development. RAREFIND offers tailored mentorship, targeted professional skills training, and opportunities to engage with leaders from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are equipped not only for academic research careers but also for leadership roles in biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, and other sectors in gene and cell therapies. By integrating translational research with real-world applications, RAREFIND accelerates the transformation of scientific discoveries into therapeutic solutions, strengthening Europe’s biomedical landscape.
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Call for proposal
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-COFUND-01
See other projects for this callCoordinator
00185 Roma
Italy