SciLifeLab to receive 70 million SEK from the EU to train postdocs in life science

The initiative is a collaboration between SciLifeLab, higher education institutions (HEIs), and research institutes and companies in biotechnology and medical engineering to train future leaders in life science. The programme aims to create collaboration between the different sectors, both in Sweden and internationally, and to bridge the gap between basic research and innovation. The injection of funds via MSCA’s call COFUND means that the European Commission will fund half of the costs of the project.

The focus of the training is on research in five focus areas: cell and molecular biology, precision medicine and diagnostics, evolution and biological diversity, epidemiology and infection biology, and medicine development. The researchers will, among other things, learn how to use advanced technology solutions to effectively handle and analyse large data sets that are typical in life science.

PULSE (Programme for Future Leaders in Life Science), which is the name of the programme, will be launched in autumn 2024 and offers training for 48 postdocs for 3 years. The programme will be offered at nine Swedish HEIs, where the researchers can choose to work at any of the programme’s collaboration partners in academia or in the business sector, in Sweden or internationally.

An initial call will open in January 2025.

“Applications to MSCA will be assessed based on excellence. The fact that Sweden, via SciLifeLab, will now receive funding from the EU for a programme for promising young researchers in life science is proof that Swedish research is at the leading edge,” says Madeleine Durbeej-Hjalt, Secretary General for Medicine and Health at the Swedish Research Council.

The postdocs recruited within the projects awarded are top candidates from all over the world – something that will accelerate Swedish life science research, and contribute to increased knowledge in areas where the challenges to society are great, she considers.

“It is also a clear signal of the importance of building up powerful, long-term initiatives in this field.”

The Swedish Research Council share responsibility as the national contact point (NCP) for MSCA with Vinnova.

“This shows that success is possible when applying to the EU. Hopefully this can inspire more organisations and researchers to apply to MSCA, and to see the opportunities that exist. Of course the competition is tough, and it may be necessary to apply several times, but it is possible. There are several good Swedish examples who have been successful within the call MSCA-COFUND,” says Isabel Dellacasa Lindberg, National Contact Point (NCP) for MSCA.

Read more about the PULSE programme on SciLifeLab’s website External link.

MSCA’s news item on the grant decision: “MSCA co-funds doctoral training and postdoctoral fellowship programmes with €96.2 million” External link.