Institut Curie EuReCa PhD Programme

Project Information

EuReCa

Grant agreement ID: 847718

DOI

10.3030/847718

EC signature date 7 May 2019

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 31 March 2027

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 6 346 080,00

EU contribution

€ 3 173 040,00

Coordinated by

INSTITUT CURIE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EuReCa (Institut Curie EuReCa PhD Programme)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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 innovative COFUND programme in cancerology, EuReCa (Europe Research & Care), which benefits from the expansion of Institut Curie's unique bench-to-bedside approach, focuses on fostering interactions between basic and clinical research, and the industrial sector.

The Institut Curie EuReCa PhD Programme has defined the following aims:
• to train a new generation of early-stage researchers (ESRs) able to achieve excellence in basic sciences and their clinical and industrial applications in cancerology,
• to implement innovative actions for career support by exposing ESRs to its '3i' vision: international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary experience,
• to consolidate its leadership within its wide network of public and private partners, in order to facilitate the exchange of best practices in innovative doctoral training, as well as a structured and effective training program to successfully enter the increasingly competitive labour market.

A total of 32 ESRs, 17 women and 15 men from 18 different countries have been recruited under 4 calls (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), representing 3% of 1,058 applicants from 79 countries. Fellows completed a diversity of 117 training courses, participated in 155 conferences, and implemented 91 out-of-the-lab professional activities. They produced 18 scientific publications (all Open Access), 27 collaborations with academic and industrial partners, and 1 patent was filed. 16 fellows successfully obtained their PhD.

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

Since its launch in September 2020, the EuReCa PhD Programme has successfully recruited and trained a new generation of cancer researchers through a comprehensive programme combining scientific excellence, career development, and international experience.

Management: Four calls recruited 32 early-stage researchers across 4 batches (8 + 10 + 10 + 4) representing 18 nationalities. An 18-month extension approved in January 2022 launched a 4th call, compensating for COVID-19 delays and candidate withdrawals. By M60: Batch 1 (100% graduated, 8 fellows), Batch 2 (80% graduated, 2 defending in 2025), Batch 3 (97% continuing, 9/10 fellows), Batch 4 (100% progressing). The Management Team provided continuous support with 96% satisfaction.

Recruitment: Open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment through wide dissemination via 18+ international platforms (EURAXESS, Nature Careers, social media), published selection criteria, and independent expert evaluation. Results: 1,531 applications from 79 countries (1,058 unique candidates), 93% eligibility rate, 148 shortlisted, 32 recruited (17 women/15 men - 53% women), 96.9% retention rate.

Training and Dissemination: A structured year-by-year training programme combined scientific excellence and transferable skills: Year 1 (induction, scientific integrity, career coaching), Year 2 (research communication, gender awareness), Year 3 (career coaching, health democracy), plus personalized training portfolios (100–200 hours minimum), innovation training, and research mobility (8 fellows across 5 countries). 100% of supervisors trained in PhD supervision best practices. 15 fellows awarded competitive 4th-year grants.

Communication implemented offline and online: promotional videos, social media campaigns (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), international platforms, European Researchers Night (2022), MSCA Conference (2022), Fête de la Science (2022–2025: nearly 6,000 visitors including almost 3,000 students), high school visits, and Marie Curie Museum tours.

Fellows' dissemination: 46+ LinkedIn posts, 18 peer-reviewed articles (Open Access), 1 patent filed, multiple conference awards, 91 professional activities including scientific event organization (47%), communication & outreach (27%), and management & leadership (22%).

Ethics: All 32 research projects achieved full compliance with European and national ethical standards. Two-level control system ensured compliance with data protection regulations, animal welfare protocols, biosafety standards, and occupational health requirements. No ethical concerns reported.

Impact: Research excellence: 18 publications, 1 patent, 27 collaborations, multiple awards. Career outcomes: 96% retention, 100% timely progression (Batches 1–3), graduates at Harvard Medical School, Academia Sinica (Taiwan), Mainz University (Germany), Institut Curie. International impact: 1,531 applications from 79 countries, 56% women, EU 'HR Excellence in Research' award maintained.

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 EuReCa PhD Programme has demonstrated significant progress toward its four main expected impacts:

1. Enhancing career perspectives and strengthening human resources: Comprehensive training pathway with 91 out-of-the-lab activities, personalized career development plans, 2 compulsory training sessions, and 2 individual coaching sessions. Achievements: 100% supervisors trained, 15 fellows awarded competitive grants, graduates at world-leading institutions, 27 research collaborations, 96% satisfaction, 96.9% retention. Fellows representing 18 nationalities strengthen international cancer research capacity.

2. Aligning practices with EU principles: Institut Curie maintains EU 'HR Excellence in Research Award' (2018). EuReCa implementation: open, transparent, merit-based recruitment across 4 calls (1,531 applications from 79 countries), independent expert evaluation, excellent gender balance (56% women), best practices shared within EU-LIFE alliance.

3. Exploiting and disseminating results: 18 peer-reviewed publications (Open Access), 1 patent filed, multiple awards, 91 professional activities including organization of 34 scientific events. All publications acknowledge EU funding. 27 collaborations provide pathways for continued knowledge transfer.

4. Communicating to diverse audiences: Public engagement through training (Science Communication, scientific writing, storytelling), active online presence (bilingual websites, social media: 46+ posts), and general public engagement (Fête de la Science: 6,000 visitors including 3,000 students from 119 school classes, high school visits, museum tours, European Researchers Night, promotional videos). Patient groups and health democracy training ensures fellows communicate effectively with patient communities. The programme contributes directly to Europe's Beating Cancer Plan by training researchers who translate laboratory discoveries into clinical applications and industrial innovations, strengthening Europe's cancer research capacity.

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