Author: Fco. Javier Molina Estévez

GenE-HumDi Travel Grants for CRISPRMED26 Access, IP Landscape and FTO panel

🌟 Call for attendees to the CRISPRMED26 Satellite Meetings! 🌟

Dear GenE-HumDi Members,

The GenE-HumDi COST Action is pleased to announce a call for Travel Grants to support the participation of young researchers and industry professionals in the upcoming CRISPRMED26 Satellite Meeting “Access, IP Landscape and FTO“ in Copenhagen.

This call specifically targets those attending the coordinated panel sessions on EU Regulatory Requirements and Access, IP Landscape, and FTO, which will culminate in a high-level Panel Discussion participated by GenE-HumDi experts Meliha Negin and Leonardo Martin. This is a unique opportunity to engage with the world’s leading experts in gene editing law, patenting, and clinical regulation

🗺️ Access, IP Landscape and FTO

In Copenhagen, during the CRISPRMED26 Satellite Sessions on April 13th, we are deep diving into the legal hurdles of gene editing with global experts including Ulrich Storz, Franziska Bächler, Jacob S. Sherkow, Timo Minssen, Kevin E. Noonan, and Lorenz Mayr.

The GenE-HumDi Panel: The afternoon concludes with a cross-disciplinary panel discussion featuring Meliha Negin and Leonardo Martin, bridging the gap between scientific innovation, patent protection, and regulatory approval.

📚 Who can apply?

We are considering:

  • Young Researchers: PhD students, Post-docs, Junior PI (40 years old or younger).
  • Industry Members: Professionals from SMEs or the pharmaceutical sector related to Gene Editing Therapies (40 years old or younger).
  • Applicants must be affiliated to GenE-HumDi COST Action to be able to submit the applications ( need access through : https://e-services.cost.eu/). Funding is open to all COST Action members, but active members a within the network are encouraged to apply.
💶What does the grant cover?
  • Long-distance travel support to/from the venue*
  • Daily allowance for the day of the Satellite meeting plus the corresponding part of the days required for travel*

*Long-distance travel expenses and daily allowance will be reimbursed according to the approved budget and will abide by current COST annotated rules.

📝 How to Apply:

Interested attendees must apply soon:

  1. Send an email to the Grant Holder Manager (raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es)
    Please, kindly provide information about the state of your application for the Satellite Meetings.
  2. Include in the email a letter of interest, of about 1,000 words addressed to the Grant Awarding Coordinator. Please include:
    • A contact e-mail address (if different from your COST contact).
    • Your current position.
    • Whether you are an active member in any GeneHumdi WG.
    • List your contributions to GeneHumdi initiatives (meetings, white papers, peer-reviewed papers, etc, …)
    • How attending will benefit their current position or future perspectives?
    • How does your work/research/interest align with the satellite topic ” Access, IP Landscape and FTO“. PLease, mention your:
      • Gene Editing Patent(s) developed: Provide the Patent Title(s) and descriptive keywords (ensure no confidential or unpublished information is disclosed)
      • Patent Status: (e.g., Filed, Pending, or Granted).
      • IP Experience: A brief summary of your previous experience with Intellectual Property or the patenting process.
📅 Deadline: 

Applications will be considered from January 19th and

no later than February 28th!

This date is needed to allow the timely resolution and communication of grants on time for the participants to arrange their itineraries to/from the venue.

The budget is limited and active young members not previously selected for funded participation in GeneHumdi calls will be given priority. COST YRIs having and oral communication already accepted by the CRISPR MEDICINE 26 conference will be positively considered during the application evaluation.

The Grant Award Coordinator will ensure fair review of all applications and shortlisted applicants are expected to receive feedback by the second week of March.

📚 Call Documentation:

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and network with experts in the field!

For questions or to submit your application, contact the Grant Holder Manager at raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es.

We look forward to your applications!

Best regards,
The GenE-HumDi Team

Granada, February 19th, 2026

#WomenInScience 2026

On February 11, we celebrate the Women and girls in Science and Technology, #Women in science.

For the past 3 years we feature successful female leaders from our COST Action CA21113. As they are inspiration for younger scientist.

This year we feature on of our youngest @genehumdi members : María Ortiz who is developing advanced genome editing tools for immunotherapy in Granada. She borrow a fierce quote from Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock:

GenE-HumDi encourages and support girls and young female researchers to pursue the dream of Using Genome Editing for the treatment of Huma Diseases by offering support and a network of peers to boost their research through collaborative training and research.

Previous Inspirational quotes:

#WomenInScience 2025 inspirational quote was favourite of Dr. Carla Fuster. Leader expert in Genome Editing off-target evaluation and genotoxicity. Her inspirational choice, coined by professor Lynn Margulis, can´t get any better alignment with our COST Action principles.

#WomenInScience 2024 featured a inspirational quote from Nobel Laureate Rita Levi Montalcini, favourite of Annarita Miccio a world class Scientist Researching genome Editing to boost therapeutic approaches for hematologic genetic disorders.

#WomenInScience 2023 opened with a quote hand picked by our COST action Chair Alexia Cavazza. She was inspired by pioneer Afro American Astronaut Mae Jemison encouraging curiosity, which is universally accepted to be the fuel of good research.

This post seek to Acknowledge all women in GeneHumdi COST Action. As they stand as true references and inspiration for young scientist and because, this COST Action would not be possible without their talent and commitment.

CRISPRMED26 WORKSHOP

🌟 Call for attendees to the CRISPRMED26 Workshops! 🌟

Dear GenE-HumDi Members,

We support early career and young researchers in the field of therapeutic Gene Editing. For this reason, we are very excited to announce that we will be supporting selected young members attending the CRISPRMED26 Conference and enrolled in the CRISPRMED26 Workshops, co-organized by GenE-HumDi (COST action CA21113) and CRISPR MEDICINE NEWS (CRISPRMED) as part of the CRISPRMED’26 conference.
The CRISPRMED26 workshops offer students an interactive opportunity to acquire critical applied knowledge and skills that will expand their profile in the gene-editing field. With a limited number of 30 places per workshop, we focus on delivering high-quality, interactive workshops in which you can learn by doing instead of just listening.

🗺️ When and where?

The CRISPRMED26 workshops will be held from 9:00-13:30 CEST on the 14th April 2026.

Each workshop will last 1 hour and 25 minutes.

📚 Workshop Topics And FacilitATors
Tools: Choosing the Right Gene-Editing Approach
Dr. Claudio Mussolino, (Universitaetsklinikum Freiburg. Germany)
Dr. Raúl Perez-Jimenez, (Ikerbasque Research Professor. Spain)
Dr. Antonio Carusillo, (Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia. Italy)

The workshop will start with an introduction to various genome-editing technologies highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations.

We will also discuss recent developments in genome-editing tools, focusing on those DSB-free and with demonstrated therapeutic potential, such as base- and prime editing. Next, we will cover criteria for selecting the appropriate genome-editing tool based on the targeted disease and present case studies of therapeutic applications.

We will emphasise that different diseases require distinct genome-editing strategies depending on the aim, such as gene replacement, gene restoration, or gene insertion.

The workshop will include a hands-on session with practical demonstrations and group activities to design genome-editing experiments. Finally, we will address ethical and safety considerations, emphasising regulatory guidelines and best practices.

The workshop will be highly interactive, with Q&A sessions throughout, pausing at key points for discussion.

Delivery: Navigating the CRISPR Delivery Landscape
Dr. Juan Antonio Marchal, (University of Granada.Spain)
Dr. André Görgens, (Karolinska Institutet | Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine. Sweden)

This workshop will focus on navigating the current landscape of viral- and non-viral delivery methods for CRISPR gene-editing tools.

The session will provide the participants a broad and comparative introduction on the various delivery methods available for the different CRSPR gene-editing tools, their advantages and disadvantages.

Importantly, the workshop will try to achieve a comprehensive understanding on how to select the right delivery tool for a specific CRISPR gene editing in cells to achieve high efficacy, the so-called “CRISPR-Delivery-Cell, CDC” match-making procedure.

Safety: Pre-clinical Safety Analyses
Dr. Ciaran Lee PhD (University College Cork. Ireland)

This workshop will focus on the side effects derived from the use of genome editors. The session will address the risks associated with the unspecific activity of CRISPR-based platforms, which can impact both the safety and efficacy of gene-editing approaches. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the different types of potential genotoxic events and of the different methods available to monitor unintended genomic modifications, including those aligned with regulatory guidelines:

–        Off-target activity of genome editors

–        Genotoxicity: on- and off-target aberrations

–        Off-target evaluation methods

–        Mitigation strategies

–        Hands-on basic training on specificity prediction

💶 Gene-HumdI TRAVEL GRANTS COVER:
  • Long-distance travel support to/from the venue*
  • Daily allowance for the workshop*

*Long-distance travel expenses and daily allowance will be reimbursed according to the approved budget and will abide by current COST annotated rules.

📝 How to Apply:

Interested attendees must apply soon:

  1. Send an email to the Grant Holder Manager (raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es) indicating the state of your application for the workshop, application abstract ( if submited) and providing your chosen topic.
  2. Include in the email a letter of interest, of no more than 1,000 words addressed to the Grant Award Coordinator. Please include:
    • A contact e-mail address if different from your COST contact.
    • Your current position
    • Whether you are an active member in any GeneHumdi WG.
    • List your contributions to GeneHumdi initiatives (meetings, white papers, peer-reviewed papers, etc, …)
    • How does your work/research/interest align with the workshop topics?
    • How attending will benefit their current position or future perspectives?
📅 Deadline: 

Applications will be considered from January 28th and

no later than February 20th!

This date is needed to allow the timely resolution and communication of grants.

The budget is limited and active young members not previously selected for funded participation in GeneHumdi calls will be given priority. Like, oral communication already accepted by the CRISPR MEDICINE 26 conference will be positively considered during the application evaluation.

The Grant Award Coordinator will ensure fair review of all applications and shortlisted applicants are expected to receive feedback by the second week of March.

📚 Call Documentation:
GeneHumdi_2026_CMN-Workshop_v1Download

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and network with experts in the field!

For questions or to submit your application, contact the Grant Holder Manager at raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es.

We look forward to your applications!

Best regards,
The GenE-HumDi Team

Granada, January 28th 2026

2026 Call for Young Researchers and Innovators

🌟 Calling All Young Innovators: Present Your Genome Editing Research Internationally!

GenE-HumDi nurtures visibility of Young Scientist and Innovators by supporting their presence in international forums.

Are you a young researcher or innovator under the age of 40? Do you have exciting findings in genome editing that you want to share with the global scientific community? GenE-HumDi is here to help you get there!

We are thrilled to announce the open call for the 2026 Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) Conference Grants. These grants are specifically designed to empower the next generation of scientists by providing financial support to attend and present at high-level international conferences.

What’s in it for you?
  • Successful applicants can receive up to €2,000 in funding*. This grant acts as a contribution toward your:
    • Travel expenses.
    • Accommodation and meals (subsistence).
    • Conference registration fees.
    • Poster printing and other relevant costs.

*Proposals could be shortlisted based on evaluation scores to match funding constrains.

Is your research a match?

While we welcome all work related to genome editing, we are particularly interested in projects focusing on:

  • Off-target prediction and specificity.
  • Omics studies (transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.).
  • Clinical translation and regulatory governance.
  • Industry and patent challenges.
Important Dates to Remember

The GeneHumdi Grant Awarding committee will assess each proposal Application Period: This is an open call—you can apply at any time before August!

Conference Dates: Your chosen conference must take place between January 2026 and July 2026.

How to Apply

To be eligible, you must be under 40 and affiliated with a legal entity in a COST Member Country, NNC, or European RTD Organization. Applications should be submitted through the e-COST portal, ensuring your work aligns with the scientific goals of the Action.

Don’t miss this chance to boost your visibility and network with experts in your field!

Question and inquiries:

Please contact GeneHumdi:

2026_YRIi_OpenCall_20250330_v2Download

2026 ITC Conference Grants

🧬 Opportunity Alert: Present Your Genome Editing Research Internationally!

📢 Call for Applications: ITC Conference Grants for the COST Action 4th period!

GenE-HumDi nurtures connections between EU scientist and international talent!

Are you a researcher or innovator working on the cutting edge of genome editing? Do you have an oral presentation accepted at a major upcoming conference? GeneHumdi (COST Action CA21113) is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants for Grant Period 4

What is the ITC Conference Grant?

These grants are designed to support researchers affiliated with institutions in Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) or Near Neighbour Countries (NNC) participating in our Action. The goal is to help you gain international visibility by presenting your work at high-level third-party conferences (those not organized by GeneHumdi).

Key Details:
  • Availability: Several grants are available for this period.
  • Funding: Successful applicants can receive a contribution of up to 1,000 Euros to help cover travel, accommodation, subsistence, and registration fees.

Eligible Conference Dates: Your conference must take place between January 2026 to July 2026

Are You Eligible?

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your primary affiliation must be in an ITC or NNC country participating in GeneHumdi.
  • You must be officially listed in the conference program to deliver an oral presentation.
  • Your work must be directly relevant to genome editing and aligned with the scientific objectives of the GeneHumdi Action.
How to Apply

This is an open call, meaning you can submit your application at any time during GP4. However, you must submit your request via the e-COST system at least 30 days before the conference starts.

Your application should include:

  1. The ITC Conference Grant application form.
  2. An abstract of your accepted oral presentation.
  3. Your official acceptance letter from the conference organizers.
  4. An up-to-date CV.
  5. A justified budget estimation.
  6. Optional but recommended: A pre-recorded presentation (PPT) briefly explaining your work.

After the Conference

Once you’ve shared your research with the world, there are just a few final steps to receive your grant, including submitting a scientific report, a certificate of attendance, and a short blog post or video about your experience. Check full regulations in the PDF below.

Ready to take your research to the global stage?

Log in to e-COST to start your application today! For specific inquiries, feel free to reach out to our Grant Holder Manager.

2026_merged_ITC-GeneHumdi_ConferenceGrantsDownload

2026 Virtual Mobility Grant Call

🌐 Go Digital with GeneHumdi: Virtual Mobility Grants Now Open!

GenE-HumDi promotes synergistic connections and development of joint tools for the digital era!

The GenE-HumDi Action is excited to announce a new call for Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants! If you are passionate about virtual collaboration and want to help build the next generation of multimedia training materials for genome editing, this opportunity is for you.

Why apply for a virtual mobility grant?

Unlike traditional travel grants, VM grants are designed to support online activities that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across our network. Whether you are developing a new computational pipeline or organizing a virtual workshop, these grants provide the resources to make it happen.

What kind of projects are we looking for?

We are seeking proposals that align with the Action’s scientific priorities, specifically in these areas:

  • Off-target prediction: Tools and modeling for genome editing accuracy.
  • Innovative Delivery: Digital modules on LNPs, extracellular vesicles, and delivery technologies.
  • Data Integration: Strategies to improve validation and prediction accuracy.
  • Capacity Building: Virtual training schools and shared computational resources.
This Call in a nutshell

Max Funding: €1,500 per grant.

Timeline: Activities must be carried out between January and July 2026.

Application Deadline: 31 January 2026.

Eligibility: Open to researchers affiliated with institutions in COST Full/Cooperating Member Countries, NNCs, or European RTD Organisations

Get started

To apply, head over to the e-COST portal and submit your application package, which should include:

Your Short CV.

A Project Summary and detailed description of planned activities.

A clear Timeline for your project.

Expected Output (e.g., tutorials, online modules, or pipelines).

Note: This is a rolling evaluation—you will receive a notification of results within two weeks of your submission, so don’t wait until the deadline!

Question and inquiries:
GeneHumdi_2026_VMG_v2Download

Please contact GeneHumdi:

2026 Call for Short-Term Scientific Mission(STSMs) applicants

New GenE-HumDi Call for applications for Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) funded by the COST Action CA21113 “Genome Editing to Treat Humans Diseases” (GenE-Humdi) CA21113.

Why do we encourage Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) within the framework of the GenE- HumDi COST Action?

The board of GeneHumdi is pleased to announce the availability of Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) through the COST Action program and encourages researchers to apply. These missions offer researchers the opportunity to conduct short visits to research institutions or laboratories in other COST countries, with the aim of strengthening existing networks and fostering collaboration. STSMs also provide researchers with the chance to learn new techniques or use equipment, data, and/or methods that may not be available in their own institution, while contributing to the scientific objectives of the Action. We strongly urge interested researchers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to expand their scientific knowledge and contribute to the advancement of their respective fields.

Participants in the COST Action program’s Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) have a great opportunity to focus their work on research topics that have been highlighted by GenE-Humdi’s 8 Working Groups (WGs) or to introduce new ideas that address the objectives of the project. We encourage researchers to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their scientific knowledge and contribute to the advancement of their respective fields. (Details on the content and goals of WGs is available in the Action’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Guidelines for applicants:
  • GenE-Humdi’s Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) consist in financial support for researchers under 40 traveling to laboratories abroad for training purposes. Grantees are responsible for making their own arrangements for travel, accommodation, and other logistics.
  • For the current call: STSMs must be completed within the 31st of July 2026. While there is no maximum duration for visits, the minimum visit should be at least 5 days, including travel time.
  • The deadline for submitting applications is January 5th, 2026.
  • During this period, STSM grants are awarded up to a maximum of 4,000€, depending on the location and duration of the visit. Applicants are encouraged to review the Annotated Rules for COST Actions and to request an amount that is commensurate to the planned length of their visit.
  • The STSM travel grants are open to researchers and innovators who are associated with a legal entity in a COST Full/Cooperative Member, Near Neighbour Country, or European RTD.
Application instructions:
  1. To apply for an STSM, applicants must utilize the e-COST management tool. It is mandatory for all applicants to possess an e-COST profile.
  2. To apply for an STSM, the applicant must utilize the e-COST management tool to submit their request. Along with the necessary information provided on the website, applicants are required to upload specific documents in a single PDF file:
    • A brief CV that highlights recent publications.
    • The STSM proposal outlining the research objectives and methodology.
    • The requested budget in euros.
    • A confirmation letter from the host institution.
    • Applicants who require further information on the submission process via the e-COST system can refer to the Grant Awarding User Guide.
    • After completing the STSM, the recipient must submit a brief report outlining the results of their visit. The report must be submitted no later than 30 days following the end date of the STSM, or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever comes first. It is important to note that if the report is not submitted on time, the grant will be revoked. Once the report has been approved, the grant payment is expected to be processed within 30 days.
Evaluation of applications:

The GeneHumdi Grant Awarding committee will assess each proposal individually and provide an evaluation score based on several factors. These factors include:

  1. The clarity of the proposal.
  2. The degree to which the proposed STSM complements or contributes to the strategic priorities and objectives of the Action as defined in the MoU and align with the Preferential Topics of the call.
  3. The feasibility of the planned work plan and outputs, and the ability of the STSM applicant to successfully complete the proposed STSM and disseminate relevant outputs.

It is important that the proposal clearly demonstrates how the proposed STSM will benefit both the applicant and the Action.

The proposal will be categorized based on its evaluation score, within 5 categories:

  1. Poor: (0-25): The proposal will be considered poor if it is unsound, incomprehensive, and lacks clear links to any of the WGs
  2. Fair: (26-50): A proposal with limited understanding, unclear objectives, and weak linkage to at least one Working Group
  3. Good: (51-75): A proposal is one that is well-linked to at least one WG and needs input to develop feasible STSM
  4. Excellent: (76-100): well-thought-out plan with clear feasibility and expected outcomes. It is highly relevant to at least one of the WGs

The top four proposals with the highest scores will be awarded the STSM grants.

Prioritary Topics

Funded STSM must align with at least one (or more) of the following topics:

  • 1.     Specificity and Off-Target Prediction in Genome Editing Tools
    • Comparative studies on the specificity of various genome editing tools and advanced methods for off-target prediction and validation.
  • 2.     Omics Studies in Genome Editing
    • Research involving transcriptomics, proteomics, and related omics technologies to explore genome editing mechanisms and effects.
  • 3.     Regulatory Considerations for Human Genome Editing
    • Examination of regulatory frameworks and guidelines, focusing primarily on clinical applications of genome editing.
  • 4.     Clinical Applications of Genome Editing
    • Investigations into the use of genome editing technologies in clinical settings, including therapeutic approaches and translational studies.
  • 5.     Scientific and Medical Assemblies at the EU Commission
    • Participation in assemblies or meetings focused on genome editing within the framework of the European Commission.
  • 6.     Industry Challenges and Regulatory Issues, Including Patent Applications.
    • Exploration of challenges in industry, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection related to genome editing.
Question and inquiries:

Please contact GeneHumdi:

2026_STSM-GeneHumdi_OpenCall_last draftDownload

WG6 Meeting during 2025 ESGCT ( SEVILLA)

COST Action CA21113 GenE-HumDi WG6 Meeting. Regulatory Frameworks and Clinical Applications in Genome editing: Formulating Guidelines and Industrial Agreements

On October 7, 2025 , The WG6 held a session focused on advancing shared understanding and alignment of regulatory, ethical, and clinical frameworks for genome editing (GE) applications within Europe. The aim was to identify key challenges and review existing ethical and regulatory responses in light of the rapid increase in new GE tools ready for application in clinical settings throughout Europe. This critical review will enable the development of updated, appropriate and robust frameworks that will meet the needs of various stakeholders, balancing harmonization with subsidiarity, and that offer recommendations for developing coherent European and potentially global guidelines in governing clinical translation of GE technologies.

The program revolved around critical topics in the field:

  • Regulatory Frameworks for GE: A Key Deliverable for the GenE-HumDi COST Network.
  • Overview of EU Regulatory Framework for ATMPs.
  • International Harmonization and Preclinical Requirements.
  • Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI).
  • Regulatory Guidelines and Clinical Roadmaps.
  • Planning an EU-Level Intervention.
  • WG6 Collaborative Publications and Regulatory Roadmap.

And let to an open table discussion on Regulatory Frameworks and guidelines for Genome Editing and ATMPs.

The assistants including: Maria Ortíz Bueno; Rafael Cuervas; Paula Heredia Velázquez; Oliver Feeney; Viviana Giannuzzi; María del Mar Macías-Sánchez; Jose-Carlos Segovia; Petros Patsali; Claudio Mussolino; Aurélie Mahalatchimy; Alessia Cavazza; Carsten Werner Lederer; Gloria Carmona Sanchez; Karim Benabdellah; resolved to draft a concept note for a European Genome Editing Roadmap, integrating regulatory, ethical, and clinical perspectives.
To close the session, Dr Lederer invited attendees to propose ideas for venues and synergies of a future meeting with other events or scientific society meetings. He once more called for collaboration on the nascent WG6 drafts to those present and to their contacts bringing in complementary regulatory or business experience, to leave no gap from GE conception to commercialization in the output of GenE-HumDi. Therefore, this closing reaffirmed the group’s dedication to responsible innovation, grounded in equity, safety, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

GenE-Humdi members can access the full report in the Private Area:

Documents

Alternatively, refer to the public version deposited in Zenodo, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.17608400

WG3 & WG5 joint meeting – Ankara 25.9.2025

Mapping and Evaluating Delivery Methods for Gene
Editing in Clinical Applications

GeneHumdi COST Action’s Working Group 3 (Delivery) and Working Group 5 (Translation into the clinic) are hosting a joint meeting in Ankara (Turkey) on September 25th!

This key event will bring together experts to review the latest progress in delivery technologies, including viral methods like AAV vectors and non-viral systems such as nanoparticles and EVs. The groups will also focus on the critical steps of translating these therapies from the lab to patient care, addressing crucial topics like GMP scale-up, regulatory considerations, and strategies to accelerate clinical implementation. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, the meeting aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and scalability of gene editing therapies, ultimately speeding up the journey from research to effective clinical solutions for genetic diseases.

The meeting hosted by Dusko Lainscek, will revolve around four major topics:


Dive into Delivery Tech: We’ll explore the latest ways to get gene-editing tools where they need to go. We’re talking about everything from tried-and-true AAV vectors to cutting-edge stuff like nanoparticles, VLPs, and EVs. The goal is to figure out the pros, cons, and biggest hurdles for each method.

The Journey From Lab to Bedside: Let’s get real about what it takes to turn lab research into actual treatments. We’ll look at real-world examples, like liver-directed gene editing, and discuss how we can get these therapies ready for mass production (GMP scale-up) while navigating all the tricky regulatory rules.

Major hurdles for delivery systems: We’ll have a series of roundtables to brainstorm solutions for the biggest challenges facing gene editing today. This is a chance to openly discuss what’s holding us back and find new opportunities to move the field forward.

Connect and Collaborate: This meeting is a prime opportunity to network with the people who are shaping the future of medicine. You’ll get to meet and chat with researchers, doctors, regulators, and industry leaders to build connections that could lead to some seriously cool collaborations

This Meeting is held in Ankara ( Turkey) thanks to The LÖSEV Foundation for Children with Leukemia and LÖSANTE Hospital .

Learn how to participate in the venue or online: Download the full program!

WG3_WG5 meeting_final program_Ankara_Lainscek_karim2Download

We´ll meet in Ankara !

2025 GeneHumdi YRI Grant call

GENE-HUMDI YRI CONFERENCE GRANT CALL 2025

The COST Action CA21113, GeneHumdi: Genome editing for the treatment of human disease, is opening a new call for the Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) Conference Grant. The grant’s purpose is to support young researchers in presenting their work at high-level, third-party conferences, increasing their visibility and networking opportunities within the scientific community.
In our mission to bound together basic and applied scientist with health regulators and caregivers we are offering 2 YRI to help promote GeneHumdi YRI at the Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) Workshop that will be held in Seville on October 6, 2025.

The YRI Conference Grant is a fixed financial contribution to assist a Young Researcher and Innovator (under 40) in attending and presenting their research at a conference that is not organized or co-organized by the COST Action: This YRI Conference Grant aims to support participation in the Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) Workshop that will be held in Seville on October 6, 2025. Organized by renowned leaders in the Genome editing field and strategically scheduled prior to the European Gene and Cell Therapy Meeting.

Gene editing based on homology-directed repair (HDR) remains one of the most versatile ways to edit the human genome.

This workshop will provide an overview of the current state of the HDR field, setting the stage for in-depth discussions on how to advance and optimize HDR technologies across all nuclease platforms.

Attendees will gain insights into recent progress in enhancing HDR efficiency, determining editing specificity, applying HDR in diverse cell types, and the workshop will also present the latest clinical data on HDR-edited cells. Join us to explore where the field stands today and collaboratively identify new strategies to drive HDR technology forward.

HDR Workshop Organizers:

  • Matthew Porteus, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
  • José Carlos Segovia Sanz, CIEMAT-CIBERER/IIS-FJD, Madrid, Spain
  • David Rawlings, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
  • Paula Cannon, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
  • Ayal Hendel, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
  • Justin Eyquem, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
  • Alessia Cavazza, University College London, London, UK
  • Rasmus Bak, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Objectives and Eligibility

This grant is for a Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI), defined as someone under the age of 40, or turning 40 in 2025. The grant will provide a fixed financial contribution to support attendance at the Homology-Directed Repair Workshop in Seville on October 6, 2025.

What you need to qualify:

  • Be a Young Researcher and Innovator (under 40 or turning 40 in 2025).
  • Have an accepted or submitted abstract for an oral or poster presentation at the HDR Workshop.
  • Be eligible to receive funds from COST. (Not be receiving double funding for their participation.)
  • Be an active member of the GeneHumdi community.(enroll now if haven’t)

What we offer:

  • A fixed grant of 1000 € to assist with expenses related to attending and presenting at the Homology-Directed Repair Workshop. (The amount granted will be determined during the evaluation process.)

Other Considerations:

  • Applicants must be asked to submit a scientific summary report after the conference.
  • Applicants must be asked to complete COST reimbursement forms timely after the conference.
Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the GeneHumdi Grant Coordinator. Priority will be given to:

  • Active COST Members: Applicants with a short endorsement letter from their Working Group leader will be given priority.
  • New Members: Applicants who have not previously received funding from GeneHumdi will be shortlisted. If the number of grants exceeds the number of shortlisted applicants, all applicants will be considered.
How to Apply

1.  Fill out and submit the application form (SEE BELOW).

2.  Send the completed form to the GeneHumdi Grant Holder Manager, raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es.

3.  Ensure your application is received before the deadline of August 18, 2025: New application deadline August 28!!

Grantees will be contacted early September. Upon selection, grantees will have 5 days to accept the grant. If a selected applicant declines, the next person on the ranked list will be offered the grant.

After the Workshop

Our COST Action budget needs to be justified before November each year. To ensure a prompt reimbursement grant recipients must submit the following documentation to the Grant Holder Manager within 30 days of the conference, and prior to end of October, 2025:

For questions, please contact the GeneHumdi Grant Holder Manager: raquel.soriano@juntadeandalucia.es.

Some reference documents:

Application Form

2025-YRI_GenEHumDiRegistrationFormDownload

Learn more about GeneHumdi and its mission in our MOU

Learn more about COST and YRI eligibility in COST Guidelines

Learn more about the HDR Workshop and the ESGCT annual Meeting in Seville.

YRI GeneHumdi 2025 Guidelines

2025_YRI_call_HDR_guilinesv2Download
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21113