The research of the future: the IBSA Foundation Fellowships in support of young researchers

In a world where scientific research is essential to address global challenges, young researchers increasingly face great difficulties in finding support and resources. Financial barriers, a strong competition and the need for continuous innovation make the new talents’ path particularly difficult. Looking at the phenomenon in detail, we discover that the national and international government policies have a significant impact on the research landscape, due to the reduction of contributions dedicated to it. In this scenario, the role of institutions, organisations, private sector and cultural foundations promoting and funding independent research becomes more than vital.

THE FELLOWSHIPS PROJECT: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW TALENTS

Since its birth, IBSA Foundation for scientific research has constantly supported young researchers, recent graduates and PhDs from all over the world, through the Fellowships project, now in its 12^th edition. The Fellowships Project was created with the aim of supporting talented researchers. Every year, six €32,000 scholarships are awarded to young researchers under 40, from universities and research institutes around the world. The winners are selected by a board of experts, who evaluate the works presented according to predefined criteria. In recent years, IBSA Foundation awarded as many as 52 scholarships, for a total funding of over € 1.5 million. 1,397 projects were received from more than 60 Countries, ideas that in the future could revolutionise the treatment of several conditions.

THE WINNERS OF THE 2023 EDITION

The 2023 edition saw a record participation of 248 projects, with a notable increase in proposals in the special edition: Healthy Aging and Regenerative Medicine. The rewarded projects were selected through a rigorous peer review process based on quality and scientific relevance:

• • Katharina Wöss, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Spagna, con il progetto "Exploring systemic interactions between skin inflammatory disorders and cancer susceptibility."
• Cintia Folgueira Cobos, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research Carlos III (CNIC), Spagna, con il progetto "Exploring new insights into brown adipose tissue mitochondria for protection against endocrine disorders."
• Elias Rafael Ruiz Morales, Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge, UK, con il progetto "In vivo responses to malaria infection in the human placenta at single nuclei resolution."
• Helna Mary Baby, Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, USA, con il progetto "Cartilage Targeted Delivery of IL-1Ra in-situ Circular RNA using Cationic-Peptide-Engineered Exosomes for Disease-Modification and Pain Relief in Osteoarthritis."
• Maria Angela De Stefano, Azienda Ospedaliera Università Federico II (AOU), Italia, con il progetto "The intracellular control of Thyroid hormone signaling in the metabolic and extrinsic control of muscle stem cell plasticity and muscle regeneration."
• Viola Moscarda, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Svizzera, con il progetto "Reversing the clock: targeting chemotherapy induced senescence with CAR-T cells for healthy aging."

FELLOWSHIPS 2024: NEW CALL ABOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED

For 2024, IBSA Foundation renews its commitment with the announcement of the new Fellowships call, available until January 31, 2025. This edition offers six new € 32,000 scholarships in five scientific areas: Dermatology, Endocrinology, Fertility and Urology, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology/Pain Medicine and Healthy Aging/Regenerative Medicine.

The 2024 IBSA Foundation Fellowships call is available at the link: www.ibsafoundation.org.