Telethon on the hunt for super brains to study new treatments

European funding of almost EUR 6 million to strengthen the new generation of researchers in advanced therapies. This is the core of the 'Beyond' programme announced by the Telethon Foundation, which will coordinate an international project dedicated to post-doc training in the field of gene and cell therapies. The call, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Cofund programme, is a strategic acknowledgement of Italy's scientific leadership in a key sector for the future of medicine. The resources - EUR 5.9 million - will be used to co-fund 35 research fellowships lasting three years, with a minimum stipend of EUR 4,700 per month. The programme will run for five years and will involve two rounds of selection, with the first call opening on 1 May. Twenty positions will be hosted at Telethon institutes, while the others will be distributed among leading partners such as Cambridge, Lund and Ljubljana.

"Beyond" was created with a precise objective: to overcome the fragmentation of competences and to train profiles capable of moving along the entire Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products chain, from the early stages of research to clinical application. An approach that integrates international mobility, interdisciplinarity and dialogue with the biotech industry, thanks also to the involvement of non-academic realities.

The programme is part of an increasingly competitive European context, where the ability to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into concrete therapies is a decisive advantage. It is no coincidence that 'Beyond' was selected in a highly competitive call, with only 31 projects funded out of 136 candidates, and is the only one coordinated by an Italia institution. Alongside the post-doc course, training at national level is also strengthened with Stat - Science and Technology of Advanced Therapies, the new doctorate dedicated to precision medicine. Coordinated by Iuss - Scuola Universitaria Superiore di Pavia and supported by Telethon, the programme networks universities, research organisations and industry to train highly specialised figures. The aim is to build transversal skills in a sector ranging from gene therapies to integrated technologies for personalised care, creating a stable link between research and industrial application.

Training and research, therefore, but also direct involvement of society. Coinciding with the launch of the call, the 'I for her' fundraising campaign returns, dedicated to 'rare mothers' and families living with genetic diseases. From 1 to 3 May, over 2,500 collection points throughout Italy will distribute the traditional Cookie Hearts, symbol of the foundation's commitment. The initiative, supported by volunteers and long-standing partners, complements the awareness-raising week on the RAI networks, with the aim of strengthening the link between scientific research and public participation. A model that combines European funding, advanced training and widespread solidarity, outlining an integrated strategy to accelerate innovation and bring new therapies to patients.

In this scenario, European funding is not just an economic resource, but a political and scientific signal: investing in skills today means building tomorrow's medicine.