The APEX programme attracted 20 experienced researchers to Ireland to carry out interdisciplinary, interinstitutional research projects at APC Microbiome Ireland, Teagasc Moorepark or Trinity College Dublin. The APEX fellows fully integrated into the programme and through exposure to APC’s dynamic research environment and knowledge sharing opportunities, increased their microbiome research experience and learnt many new scientific skills. This will impact positively on UCC, APC’s academic partners and industry partners, in terms of providing skilled researchers and promoting future collaborations with each other.
Intersectoral secondments strengthened links between APC academic hosts and industry partners. The secondments provided fellows with their first opportunity to experience work in a non-academic organisation. This was very beneficial as fellows made new links within industry allowing them to expand their professional network. Time spent on secondment allowed them to learn new skill sets and open themselves to new experiences that were not available in the academic environment.
Fellows were active in dissemination and public outreach activities and published in peer reviewed journals, presented at conferences and meetings with both academic and industry partners. Fellows developed key communication skills that enabled them to engage well with the general public and media and communicate scientific information in an accessible manner, strengthening and raising the excellence and impact of European microbiome research. APEX fellows also brought their passion of science to school children through various outreach programmes.
An important impact of the programme is improvement of fellow’s career perspectives. Through training and innovative and translation research, APEX had successful effect on the researchers, host institutions and industry partners. The secondments allowed many to establish a network with an industry partner and explore career options in that sector. The collaborations opened doors for fellows to explore job opportunities or external funding applications with the industry. Some fellows found work in industry after their fellowships bringing with them their research skills and reinforcing research-industry collaborations.
Fellows took advantage of numerous training opportunities to develop their skills and professional careers. They increased their knowledge in the area of business development and idea generation, budget, data and project management and many areas of need to promote their professional development. Opportunities such as an entrepreneurship summer school offered unique experiences that challenged the fellows to think “outside the box” and to experience new ways of expression and interaction. Sessions on scientific writing for researchers were helpful for writing grants or applications. A positive impact of this is evident with some fellows being awarded prestigious MSCA Individual fellowships or excellent positions in academia. Together with research work, bespoke training activities and industry secondments the fellows achieved a multidisciplinary portfolio of skills to meet their career goals and the changing needs of both the academic and non-academic sectors. This has strengthened research human resources at regional, national and international level. The fellows are well placed to move into key leadership positions in the microbiome field and achieve their career aspirations.
The programme also informed the development of the INSPIRE cofund programme which was funded January 2022 where 20 fellows will be appointed for two-year periods to work on projects related to the microbiome that address global societal challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable disease and food sustainable systems.
