Erasmus Mundus awards funding to IMAgein Project for new international Master’s Program in Ageing Biology 

August 1, 2024 – The University Côte d’Azur (UniCA), member of Ulysseus European University, announces that the IMAgein project has been awarded funding under the prestigious Erasmus Mundus program as part of the EMJM 2024 call for proposals. This innovative two-year international master’s program, which will enrich the Ulysseus European University academic offer, will provide high-quality, fully integrated training focused on multidisciplinary research in the biology of aging. The program, set to commence in the 2025 academic year, will be jointly delivered by a consortium of five leading European Higher Education Institutions: Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA, France) the University of Seville (USE, Spain), the University of Cologne (UoC, Germany), the University of Coimbra (UC, Portugal), and Sorbonne University (SU, France). 

The IMAgein project, led by UniCA, has received funding to cover a six-year period (2024-2030), facilitating four cohorts of the master’s program. This funding will support the development and delivery of a cutting-edge curriculum designed to train the next generation of scientists, translational researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals equipped to address the societal challenges associated with ageing populations. 

Each cohort will comprise 25 outstanding international students, with approximately fifteen of them receiving scholarships through a competitive selection process. The program will feature instruction from renowned researchers and experts, providing comprehensive theoretical training and a global perspective on the biology of ageing. A key component of the IMAgein program is its emphasis on international mobility, enabling students to gain advanced knowledge and develop both technical and human skills through diverse partner institutions. 

Opportunities for professional development 

The IMAgein program is supported by the Ulysseus European University alliance, research centers, and university hospitals, enhancing its relevance and impact. This robust network will offer students unique opportunities for professional development and practical experience, fostering the skills necessary to become leaders in ageing biology research and industry. 

The selection process for the first cohort of students will begin in the fall of 2024 via the program’s website, with classes starting in the 2025 academic year. 

European Universities Alliances 

This program is an example of collaboration between members of different European universities with the aim of promoting the European Education Area to build more resilient and inclusive national education systems. Université Côte d’Azur and University of Seville are part of Ulysseus Alliance, University of Cologne is member of EUniWell – the European University for Well-Being; University of Coimbra belongs to the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U); and finally, Sorbonne Université is part of 4EU+ Alliance. 

The European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. They encompass 64 European Universities alliances with more than 560 higher education institutions of all types, from all across Europe. 

About Ulysseus 

Ulysseus Alliance vision for 2030 is to develop an excellency-recognized and internationally attractive open to the world, persons-centred and entrepreneurial European University for the citizens of the future. By doing so, our ambition is to contribute to shape the European Higher Education and Research Areas, and hence the future of Europe. 

Ulysseus is one of the 64 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville together with seven other universities in Europe (the University of Genoa, Italy; Université Côte d’Azur, France; the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; the University of Münster, Germany; and the University of Montenegro, Montenegro), the project will allow students, researchers and graduates to move freely between universities, carry out internships in companies and start high-impact research projects.