Enabling the next generation in search of blood cancer cures

The CarrerasPathfinder program is new a world-wide unique doctoral program that covers the entire spectrum of research and innovation in blood cancers from understanding disease biology to the implementation of novel processes in the clinical practice. The program will fund 14 excellent Doctoral Candidates (DCs) for a period of 48 months. DCs will perform collaborative PhD projects involving associated partners from different sectors, countries, and disciplines through secondments. DCs will improve their research capacity and transferable skills through high-quality supervision arrangements and a tailored training program.The program has been designed and will be hosted by the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC) which is the first European non-profit institute exclusively devoted to blood cancers. By answering the European needs for human resources, it is fully aligned with the 13 recommendations of the EU Cancer Board’s Draft Mission and the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (2021). The CarrerasPathfinder program has a strong triple-I dimension of internationality, inter-sectorality and interdisciplinarity in training, networking, co-supervision and research. Its specific objectives are:•To develop an excellent doctoral program in blood cancer research conceived as a pilot for a permanent international doctoral program•To equip DCs with a unique skill set boosting effectiveness and innovation capacity. •To promote DCs’ career development and increase their employability in different sectors.•To establish the IJC as a European reference for research and training in blood cancers.•To provide Europe with a new generation of researchers able to address unmet needs and societal challenges of blood cancers.•To contribute to structuring the European research area by collaborating and synergizing with other European key opinion leaders.