Lund University to receive 90 million SEK from the EU for doctoral student programme

In autumn 2026, a new international doctoral student programme will start at Lund University. It is initiated by Lund Stem Cell Centre, and will focus on research in regenerative medicine and advanced therapy medicines. 55 doctoral students, 25 of whom study at Lund University, will have the opportunity to work across disciplinary borders and together with healthcare and industry.

RAMP-UP (Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products - United for PhD Excellence), as the programme is known, is multi-disciplinary. This means that not just medical doctoral students can apply, but also technicians, health economists, lawyers, and others. By working across faculty borders, from idea and basic research to commercial product, the aim is to shorten processes and minimise detours. The aim is to increase efficiency and reduce the price of advanced therapies, to enable them to be introduced in hospitals.

Four universities and 27 partners behind the programme

Backing the RAMP-UP programme are Lund University together with Leiden University Medical Center, the Technical University of Denmark, and Hannover Medical School, as well as 27 collaboration partners. Via the COFUND call within the EU programme Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the European Commission is now co-funding the programme.

More universities have received funding from COFUND in recent years

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

“A COFUND application requires considerable work, and it may be necessary to apply several times. But it is possible to get it approved. In recent years, more applications from Swedish universities have received funding from COFUND,” says Isabel Dellacasa Lindberg at the Swedish Research Council.

The assessment is based on excellence, and competition is tough. The international doctoral student programme that has now been approved shows that Sweden conducts research and research-level education that is leading-edge, she considers.

“I hope this will inspire more projects to apply for funding from MSCA’s various grants.”

Read more about the RAMP-UP programme on Lund University’s website External link.