In 2020, 2.7 million people in the EU were diagnosed with cancer and 1.3 million lost their lives to it. By 2035 cancer cases are estimated to increase by almost 25%, making it the leading cause of death in the EU. In addition, the overall economic impact of cancer in Europe is estimated to exceed €100 billion annually.
The EU has been working on cancer for decades. The “Europe against cancer: action plan 1990-1994” contributed to major progress by supporting research and development financed by the EU budget. This plan was recently renewed by the “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” 2021.
In this context, the IC-3i-PhD Program of Institut Curie has contributed to fight cancer by producing top-level scientific knowledge thanks to Inter-national, Inter-disciplinary and Inter-sectorial research projects resulting into novel therapeutic paths for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
This “Triple I” PhD Program has permitted the development of high standards of excellence for a new generation of early-stage researchers (ESR) thanks to:
• a unique bench-to-bedside approach within a Cancer Centre of Excellence, bringing together internationally-renowned interdisciplinary Research Centre and Hospital Group,
• an inter-national, inter-disciplinary, and inter-sectorial training program, including training-through-research (both on site and through secondments), as well as hands-on training,
• a personalised career development plan,
• a complete set of transferable and soft skills.
A total of 35 ESRs, 18 women and 17 men from 19 different countries, were recruited under 3 calls for applicants in 2016, 2017 and 2018, which represents 3,5% of the total applicants (985 from 61 different countries for the 3 calls, all together).
The IC-3i fellows were actively involved in scientific training and events according to the reported indicators: 371 training activities, 51 conferences, 37 workshops, 12 other events.
They were also prolific in terms of scientific publications, reaching a total of 43, including articles in a journal, chapters in a book, conference proceedings, etc. Additionally, they have implemented 45 collaborations with academic institutions and industrial companies, and 3 patents were developed independently by 3 of them).
The IC-3i-PhD Program has thus contributed to further stimulate the development of the European research and human resources capacities, the knowledge transfer between academic institutions and industrial stakeholders, and ultimately to strengthen the competitiveness and innovation of EU industries.
