If you are looking to advance your research career in Europe, a massive new funding opportunity has just been announced. The IGNITION project, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe, is officially recruiting.
This transnational consortium is offering 13 fully funded Doctoral Candidate (PhD) positions, each lasting for a duration of three years. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the program’s focus, the training network, and the upcoming deadline.
The Scientific Focus: Neuroimmunology & Neurodegeneration
The IGNITION program is uniquely built around a specific and groundbreaking scientific framework: the 2014 discovery of anti-IgLON5 disease.
This rare, life-threatening neurological disorder has emerged as a vital model for studying the complex interplay between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. While this specific disease provides the scientific foundation for the research, the ultimate mission of the IGNITION project is broader: to train a brand new generation of skilled, resilient, and highly interdisciplinary researchers in the field.
A Transnational European Network
One of the biggest advantages of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network is the level of cross-border collaboration it provides. IGNITION is an established, highly connected consortium that brings together:
- 10 Beneficiaries spread across 8 European countries.
- Support from 13 Associated Partners.
For the 13 selected PhD students, this balanced network guarantees a highly interdisciplinary working environment. The program is designed to deliver comprehensive scientific training, structured professional development, and practical hands-on experience across different sectors.
Important Deadline
If this aligns with your research goals, you need to act quickly. The call deadline for these 13 positions is strictly set for 1st April 2026.
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The individual projects available are:
DC1 · Advancements in clinical understanding and treatment of anti-IgLON5 disease. (IDIBAPS – Barcelona, Spain)
DC2 · Understanding contributions of adaptive and innate immunity in neurodegeneration. (EMC – Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
DC3 · Multiparametric analysis of biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in anti-IgLON5 disease and other tauopathies. (UKSH – Kiel, Germany)
DC4 · From Lab to Market: Developing diagnostic kits for antibodies against cell surface antigens and leveraging new biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. (Biosystems – Barcelona, Spain)
DC5 · Dissection of cell-intrinsic and cell-nonautonomous anti-IgLON5 disease mechanisms in vitro. (HT – Milano, Italy)
DC6 · Neuropathological studies on anti-IgLON5 disease human brains and other neurodegenerative diseases. (MUV – Vienna, Austria)
DC7 · The mechanisms of tau pathological spreading in anti-IgLON5 disease. (UC – Coimbra, Portugal)
DC8 · Connecting scRNAseq to CyTOF single cell proteomics in anti-IgLON5 disease. Involvement of lysosomal cathepsins and legumain in tau cleavage using iPSC-derived neurons treated with anti-IgLON5 antibodies. (PWR – Wroclaw, Poland)
DC9 · Passive transfer of anti-IgLON5 to generate an anti-IgLON5 disease animal model. (UC – Coimbra, Portugal)
DC10 · Anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy induced in mice by active immunization and therapeutic approaches. (IDIBAPS – Barcelona, Spain)
DC11 · Study of the prognostic value of IgLON5-ab subclasses and pathogenic effect on muscle cells. (MUV – Vienna, Austria)
DC12 · Crosstalk between IgLON5, binding partners and synapse in health and disease. (CNRS – Paris, France)
DC13 · In vivo mechanisms of IgLON5 antibodies on learning and memory consolidation. (UKJ – Jena, Germany)
