Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Jun 24

The research sector stands united: the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions must stay bottom-up. No political direction — MSCA already delivers on Europe’s priorities! 👇

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Jun 24

EU-LIFE, @coimbragroup.bsky.social, @yerunnetwork.bsky.social & many EU research organisations urge EU to keep #MSCA 's bottom-up approach.

MSCA’s success lies in its openness to all fields & topics. Thematic restrictions would stifle innovation & limit researchers' opportunities.

➡️ bit.ly/3Gbc9Ak

"The remarkable strength of the MSCA lies in how it has consistently anticipated and delivered on emerging priorities - from AI to quantum - without needing political direction. Let us keep it that way," said Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE.

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EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · May 22

🪩🎤✨ All ready for the EU-LIFE #ScienceVision Talk Contest!!

This year, inspired by the Eurovision contest, researchers from EU-LIFE institutes will engage in a friendly competition for the most innovative, compelling and impactful scientific talk.

Stay tuned!

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Reposted by Marta Agostinho

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · May 22

🎉 The EU-LIFE Community has spoken!

The awardees of the EU-LIFE #ScienceVision Talk Contest 2025 are:

🥇 Eleonore Ocaña, @babrahaminst.bsky.social
🥈 Mafalda Araújo Pereira, @bric-ucph.bsky.social
🥉 Brianda Santini & Carolina Mangana, @cemm-vienna.bsky.social

Many congrats to all!

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · May 14

And that is why we need a standalone #FP10 with commensurate investment in scientific research

European Commission @ec.europa.eu · May 14

Every €1 the EU invests in research can yield up to €11 in growth by 2045.

With €43 billion from Horizon Europe, we’ve backed 15,000+ projects – from antibiotics to the transition.

This year we’ll put in over €7.3 billion to meet Europe’s challenges.

For everyone to benefit ↓

europa.eu/!WHpGGg

A stylised image on a dark blue background, with "€1 invested in research," alongside a hand wearing a light blue glove holding a stylised euro. On the right-hand side is the text, "€11 in economic growth by 2045," with another gloved hand placing a pile of stylised coins. In the bottom right corner sits the emblem of the European Union.

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Reposted by Marta Agostinho

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · May 14

📰 "This is actually an opportunity, and it's very fortunate there is this prioritisation of the #EULifeSciencesStrategy," said @meagostinho.bsky.social

EU-LIFE wants the @ec.europa.eu to double the budget for #FundamentalResearch in @erc.europa.eu & to raise the budget for #EIC programmes & #MSCA ⬇️

Science|Business @sciencebusiness.net · May 13

🔬The EU's upcoming life sciences strategy, due in June, promises a more unified and ambitious biotech and research policy. After years of fragmentation, stakeholders urge the @ec.europa.eu to combine health, biotech, food, agriculture, and environmental research into one framework.
📌

European life sciences strategy fosters hope for more cohesive policy

The EU will unveil a life sciences strategy in June, for which stakeholders are proposing a range of funding ideas to boost Europe's global role and unify its fragmented approach to the…

buff.ly

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Mar 19

Scientific research is a strategic necessity for resilience and competitiveness in Europe!
"While the minimum basis for a thriving European Research & Innovation is a stand-alone, well budgeted #FP10, we urge the European Commission to further follow 5 key actions"
lnkd.in/d2mzN_zu

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EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Mar 6

The scientific community has a critical role in upskilling and reskilling Europe.

Research institutes are not only hubs of #innovation but also incubators of #talent — nurturing curiosity, cultivating expertise and driving the development of critical skills for #EUcompetitiveness

European Commission @ec.europa.eu · Mar 5

Through our Union of Skills, we want to help people stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and keep Europe competitive and fair.

We want to:
📚️ Empower Europeans to strengthen their skills and lifelong learning
🤝 Help businesses recruit and retain talent

More info ↓
europa.eu/!jFB4bN

The image presents "Our Plan" on a blue background, featuring four key actions:

Build skills – for better jobs and lives.
Upskill & reskill – for the digital & green transition.
Circulate skills – across the EU for competitiveness.
Attract & retain talent – for Europe’s future.

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Reposted by Marta Agostinho

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Mar 6

Today we feature Isabel Vercauteren, CEO & Co-founder at Aphea.bio, a science-driven company that creates natural solutions that serve as effective alternatives to chemical pesticides & synthetic fertilizers.

#FundamentalResearch for #EUcompetitiveness
EU-LIFE #innovation ➡️ eu-life.eu/innovation

"Discovery driven research is vital for innovation as it provides new knowledge and insights needed to develop transformative solutions. With that spirit of innovation, Aphea.Bio creates natural solutions based on microbiology that serve as effective alternatives to chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers," said Isabel Vercauteren.

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Reposted by Marta Agostinho

Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Mar 3

Today a @eu-life.bsky.social delegation met with Commissioner Zaharieva to exchange on #EUcompetitiveness and #R&I highlighting the views of #ResearchInstitutes Thank you Commissioner Zaharieva for the energic, insightful and fruitful meeting! @giuliosupertifurga.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Mar 3

Today a @eu-life.bsky.social delegation met with Commissioner Zaharieva to exchange on #EUcompetitiveness and #R&I highlighting the views of #ResearchInstitutes Thank you Commissioner Zaharieva for the energic, insightful and fruitful meeting! @giuliosupertifurga.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu

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Reposted by Marta Agostinho

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Feb 25

Today we feature @ritabg.bsky.social, CEO #MunaTherapeutics (Denmark, Belgium & US), a company that develops #therapies that slow or stop devastating neurodegenerative diseases incl. #Alzheimer’s & #Parkinson’s

#FundamentalResearch for #EUcompetitiveness

EU-LIFE #innovation ➡️ eu-life.eu/innovation

“Muna Therapeutics, a biotech company based in Denmark, Belgium and the US, discovers and develops medicines that protect the brain and slow or stop the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, which affect cognition, behavior and quality of life for millions of patients and their loved ones around the globe. Muna’s most advanced potential medicine for Alzheimer’s disease was enabled by more than 25 years of discovery-led research conducted by scientists and clinicians across the EU and around the globe, and will be in human safety testing in 2025,” said Rita Balice-Gordon, CEO Muna Therapeutics.

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EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Feb 20

Today we feature Sergio Abrignani, Co-founder and Member of the Board of Directors of #CheckmAb (Italy), a company that develops monoclonal #antibodies against Treg cells present in diseased tissues as tools for safer and efficacious immunotherapies against #cancer and autoimmune diseases.

"Fundamental research uncovers new knowledge and fuels innovation, laying the groundwork for state-of-the-art technologies. It is the main tool for innovators to drive changes across industries and for companies to stay competitive by developing disruptive ideas and/or products," said Sergio Abrignani, CheckmAb

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EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Feb 20

🔬 #FundamentalResearch is key for #EUcompetitiveness and to address global societal challenges 🌍 #Innovation leaders from the #biotech sector highlight the crucial role of #research for their work ⬇️

Since 2014, EU-LIFE institutes have contributed to #EU innovation ecosystem with over 80 #startups!

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Feb 19

Postdocs from @eu-life.bsky.social institutes walked the talk and built this programme 👇
Very proud and looking forward to see these invited talks and research visits happening. Grateful for the support of our institutes to #researchCareers That is how we make the #ERA live!

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Feb 19

🎓🔬🚀 Do you want to boost your academic career? Would you like to present your work to leading researchers and build a professional network across Europe?

If you are an EU-LIFE #postdoc, this is your chance! The EU-LIFE Postdoctoral Exchange Programme is open for applications ➡️ bit.ly/3WgNek3

EU-LIFE Postdoctoral Exchange Programme. Applications open!

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Feb 18

Welcome!!

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Feb 13

Spot on @ChristianEhler at the STOA session on the presentation of the study on #FP10. We failed in the past to predict the most radical contributions to society: fundamental research. So for future scenarios, revolution should actually be towrads more bottom-up, discovery-driven #research.

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Feb 6

Great kickstart of todays conversations @sciencebusiness.net conference: uniqueness of Europe, added value of EU, upskilling, stand-alone #fp10, discovery-driven research as catalyst for #competitivenes

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Marta Agostinho @meagostinho.bsky.social · Jan 28

Welcome the 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 (London) and the 𝗥𝘂đ𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 (Zagreb, Coratia) to the @EU-LIFE alliance! Very proud to have you with us, very excited for the upcoming joint activities! 👇 the list of all 17 EU-LIFE #researchinstitutes that bring #Europeanresearch to a greater level.

EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Jan 28

📣 We are very proud to welcome the Francis Crick Institute (London, #UK) and the Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb, #Croatia) into the EU-LIFE alliance!

To know more about @crick.ac.uk, #RBI and the expansion of EU-LIFE, check our latest press release ➡️ eu-life.eu/newsroom/new...

EU-LIFE welcomes The Francis Crick Institute and the Ruđer Bošković Institute!

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EU-LIFE @eu-life.bsky.social · Jan 8

👋 Hello 2025! As we step into the new year, we look back at the top EU-LIFE stories of 2024.

From celebrating new #leadership to advocating for #ResearchPolicy, #MentalHealth, #women scientists and #ResearchManagers, here are the stories that resonated deeply with our community ➡️ bit.ly/4a8goah

1. EU-LIFE Pathfinder: supporting women postdocs to narrow the gender gap
2. Research mental health observatory (ReMO): an interview with Simone Lackner
3. The crucial role of research managers: an interview with Jonas Krebs
4. Towards FP10: EU-LIFE’s vision for MSCA
5. Giulio Superti-Furga (CeMM) and Marta Miączyńska (IIMCB) are appointed new chair and co-chair of EU-LIFE
6. EU-LIFE calls for an ambitious and realistic vision for FP10

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