Active in Europe

The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute has been extremely busy in terms of European engagement since its inception which has proved to be both exciting and stimulating. 

Institute group leaders have submitted a number of grant bids to various EU funding schemes, ranging in value from less than £100,000 to over £1 million. The successful bids have enabled activity to take place including masters students undertaking programmes of work under the KESS scheme. 

Our efforts to build a network of European collaborations and influence the research agenda (particularly through interactions with the Vision2020 network and KU Leuven) have been unreservedly positive. Group leaders have been highly active in promoting the work of the Institute through collaborations and networks with European partners and have received invitations to speak at a number of major European events. 

Working with partners from the Vision2020 network including UCL and KU Leuven, we assisted in formulating and writing a position document on priorities for EU Healthcare research. Dr Matt Smalley was part of a delegation that presented the document to the European Commission. What the outcomes of this will be are too early to say, but we hope that cancer stem cells and personalised medicine approaches will be high on the list of priorities for future EU funding.