The European Union requires highly trained scientists in the fields of design, synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation, and regulation of innovative multifunctional materials to remain competitive in advanced nanomedicine technologies. The STRIKE project (101072462 — STRIKE — HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01) aims to foster excellence in both applied cancer research and the training of doctoral candidates (DCs). STRIKE is built on two main pillars: a) Establishing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral research network to train a new generation of entrepreneurial, ultidisciplinary early-stage researchers (ESRs), b) Leveraging recent advancements in nanotechnology and liquid biopsy to develop innovative imaging and therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma (OS) and breast cancer (BC) diagnosis.
The project started on January 1st , 2023, with a duration of 48 months and a maximum EU contribution of €2,106,835.20. The consortium consists of eight beneficiaries, coordinated by the University of Messina (IT).
The STRIKE Kick-off Meeting, held in Taormina, Italy (January 27-28, 2023), marked a crucial milestone, establishing a strong scientific network and facilitating discussions on project objectives. This in-person meeting, one of the first post-pandemic, led to key achievements such as the signing of the Consortium Agreement, the launch of the STRIKE website, and the finalization of the recruitment strategy for eight DCs.
To ensure broad visibility, STRIKE's recruitment campaign was extensively promoted via social media, academic platforms, Euraxess, and the project’s website (
https://strike.unime.it(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)). The call attracted 291 applications from 187 candidates, the most suitable candidates were invited for the interview and the final selections was completed by May 2023.
In October 2023, all 8 DCs met online for the first time the STRIKE network, fostering connections and establishing communication and dissemination strategies for the project's website and social media platforms.
The first STRIKE scientific meeting took place on January 24-26, 2024, in Bologna, Italy. This event gathered DCs, board members, consortium members, and distinguished scientists. The project coordinator provided a comprehensive overview of the main objectives and strategic direction of the initiative. Additionally, each DC, alongside with their primary supervisor, delivered an introductory presentation covering their institution, academic background, research objectives, and initial project actions. A training session on “European Public Funding Schemes for R&D and Innovation and Technology Transfer “European Public Funding Schemes for R&D and Innovation” was delivered by the associated partner STEM Innovation. The training provided ESRs with essential skills and insights into navigating the complexities of research funding and innovation. Through theoretical lessons and proposal drafting exercises, they received valuable feedback from both instructors and peers, enhancing their understanding of effective proposal development and funding opportunities
The Second STRIKE Scientific & Progress Meeting took place on June 11-12, 2024, at Nantes University, France. This event provided a platform for DCs to present their initial research findings, exchange ideas, and plan future research activities. Additionally, expert researchers in cancer, microfluidics, and osteosarcoma delivered insightful presentations that enriched discussions and guided the next phase of the project. The meeting concluded on a high note, reinforcing the commitment to continued collaboration. In the following months, the DCs and their supervisors have maintained ongoing communication and monitoring to ensure the successful execution of experiments, protocols, and objectives in alignment with the project proposal.
