A new European research and training doctoral network, STEM-CORE, has been awarded funding by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). STEM-CORE brings together an international and cross-sectoral team to train the next generation of researchers, focusing on corneal disease: one of the world’s leading causes of blindness and a condition that remains difficult to treat.
STEM-CORE
STEM-CORE aims to develop a sustainable and affordable stem cell therapy to restore vision in patients with corneal blindness caused by stem cell deficiency. Coordinated by Radboud University (the Netherlands), the STEM-CORE network brings together top scientists and supervisors from eleven organisations in nine countries across Europe, from both academic and non-academic sectors.
Consortium partners include Radboud University (the Netherlands), Tampere University (Finland), Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi (Italy), Izmir Biomedicine and genome centre (Turkey), CSIC (Spain), Uniklinik Koln (Germany), Linkoping University (Sweden), Inserm (France), Universitat des Saarlandes (Germany), Biotalentum Ltd (Hungary).
Training programme
Through innovative, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, STEM-CORE offers a training programme that covers a complete trajectory of stem cell therapy development. The early-stage researchers will acquire a comprehensive set of research and transferable skills, enabling them to develop future eye therapies from the laboratory to the clinic, while also enhancing their career prospects across academia and industry.
“Current treatment options are expensive and don’t help all corneal patients,” explains Jo Zhou, consortium coordinator and researcher at Radboud University. “STEM-CORE is developing an affordable new treatment using laboratory-grown stem cells that can benefit a broader range of patients. Our interdisciplinary training programme will prepare the next generation of experts in ocular regenerative medicine through international collaboration and hands-on research experience across European laboratories. “
The network will recruit 14 doctoral candidates. Applications will open in January 2026, with fellows expected to begin their projects in July 2026. More information about the recruitment process will be posted at the Consortium’s webpage.
MSCA Doctoral Networks
MSCA Doctoral Networks are international PhD programmes where universities and companies work together to train researchers. They offer research and skills training to prepare students for careers in and outside academia.
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