The CardioSCOPE Training School 2025, co-organized by the MSCA Staff Exchange project CardioSCOPE and the COST Action AtheroNET (CA21153), was successfully held from 3rd to 5th September 2025 at the Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Under the theme “Shaping Scientific Careers in Cardiovascular Research: Within and Beyond Academia,” the three-day event offered early-career researchers practical guidance and hands-on experience to strengthen professional skills essential for success in cardiovascular research.
The program combined lectures, discussions, and interactive workshops on topics including:
- Communication, collaboration, and leadership in cardiovascular research.
- Navigating the European funding landscape and preparing successful grant proposals.
- Translating research into innovation, including patenting, spin-offs, and engagement with industry and policy stakeholders.
- Real-life exercises in job interviews, grant writing, and pitching scientific ideas.
The school brought together 8 expert trainers and 30 trainees from 12 countries across Europe, including Italy, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Slovakia, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, and Israel. Participants included 70% early-career researchers and 30% experienced mentors, with a balanced representation of approximately 60% female and 40% male participants.
A highlight of the program was the Job Interview Simulation Workshop, which gave trainees the opportunity to practice realistic interview scenarios and receive personalized feedback from senior experts. Additional workshops on innovation management, proposal writing, and the three-minute pitch challenge enabled participants to explore pathways from research to real-world impact.
Beyond the sessions, participants enjoyed networking opportunities, a guided city tour of Milan, and a social dinner, fostering collaboration and exchange among researchers from across Europe.
