Dear SENESCENCE2030 Members and Colleagues,
A warm welcome to our first newsletter!
Here you’ll receive progress updates from across the network, upcoming activities announcements and key information to keep you connected and engaged. Stay tuned for regular updates as the Action evolves. We’re delighted to announce that we now have members from 35 different countries!
In this Issue
Past activities | Brief highlights of recent meetings, workshops and collaborative outputs.
Coming up in 2026 | Planned events, training schools, calls and opportunities to participate.
Contacts | Get in touch!
Past Activities
SENESCENCE2030 Kick off meeting | Brussels | October 2024
Our visit to Brussels marked the official launch of SENESCENCE2030, a four-year EU COST Action led by the Institute of Endotypes in Oncology, Metabolism and Immunology (CNR, Naples).
SENESCENCE2030 aims to deepen understanding of cellular ageing, promote healthy lifestyle strategies, and identify new approaches to prevent age-related diseases.
Coordinated by Dr. Aniello Cerrato, the network brings together experts from 21 European countries working on senescence biology, ageing mechanisms, early diagnosis, and therapeutic innovation.
SENESCENCE2030 Training School | Paris | 23–24 June 2025
Our first COST SENESCENCE2030 Training School, “Senescence from Cell Cultures to Humans through to Model Organisms,” brought together 20 Early Career Researchers for two days of lectures, discussions and hands-on scientific exchange. Most participants were 2nd- and 3rd-year PhD students.
Hosted by Han Li and Michael Rera, the program covered senescence across systems, from in vitro models to clinical applications.
Participants attended in-depth sessions from leading experts, including Eric Boulanger (RAGE–ligand axis in inflammaging), Cleo Bishop (in vitro senescence models), Michael Rera (senescence detection in ageing), Manuel Collado (senolytics in the clinic), Bill Keyes (senescence in development and regeneration), and Han Li (senescence-induced plasticity). Student presentation sessions highlighted ongoing work from the ECR community, complemented by roundtable discussions that fostered collaboration and exchange.
SENESCENCE2030 Training School | Paris | 23–24 June 2025
The SENESCENCE2030 network gathered in Naples for two days of scientific exchange and strategic planning. Sessions featured new findings on cellular senescence, ageing, metabolic disease, cancer therapy resistance, and immune dysregulation, with contributions from international experts and young researchers. Stakeholder discussions strengthened links with partner societies and early-career networks.
The Management Committee reviewed progress, budget plans, communication efforts, and training activities, supported by focused worktable sessions. The meeting closed with coordinated next steps and upcoming initiatives for the year ahead.
European Researcher’s Night (ERN) | Europe-wide | 26 September 2025
SENESCENCE2030 Network Members contributed to this Europe-wide initiative aimed at connecting science with society and inspiring the next generation of researchers. In line with the ERN’s mission to promote scientific literacy and highlight the societal relevance of research, our activities focused on ageing, personalised nutrition and sensory biology. Across three locations in Madrid, Naples and Tarragona, more than 700 participants engaged with our researchers, ranging from families and school groups to university students and interested citizens.
Cellular Senescence & Healthy Ageing Desk | Researchers introduced cellular senescence, its role in age-related diseases, and how lifestyle choices can support healthier ageing.
Personalised Nutrition Activity | Participants used four fictional genetic profiles to explore how tailored diets can improve health, engaging ~200 attendees in personalised nutrition.
“Decoding Taste” Workshop | A hands-on taste test with 435 participants demonstrated how genetics and ageing influence bitter taste perception, revealing clear age-related differences.
We are excited about the possibility of an even greater participation next year as our network continues to grow and inspire public interest in ageing science.
SENESCENCE2030 Hybrid Meetings in 2025 | Europe-wide
In 2025, members of the network have organized several hybrid working group meetings aimed at connecting participants, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration.
SENESCENCE2030 Mobility Grants 2025
SENESCENCE2030 has two funding opportunities to promote knowledge exchange, skill development, and collaboration among researchers targeting cell senescence and age-related diseases.
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) support in-person research visits providing researchers, especially Young Researchers under 40 with opportunities to gain techniques or experience not available at their home institution.
Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants support virtual collaborations to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, and contribute to the Action’s scientific objectives. VM activities are flexible, inclusive, and aim to foster interdisciplinary networking and career development, with outcomes such as publications or funded projects enhancing COST Action visibility.
SENESCENCE2030 funded 10 mobility grants (9 STMSs and 1 VM) and supported conference participation 2 YRIs (Young Researchers and Innovators), 2 ITC members (Inclusiveness Target Countries), and 2 DC grants (Dissemination Conferences) during the first Grant Period (2024–2025).
Coming up in 2026
Upcoming events | Mark your calendars! In 2026, SENESCENCE2030 is organising two Training Schools and a Conference in Portugal.
Grants for Grant Period 2 (2025-2026)
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) | Call will be open: February–March | 6–7 grants available | Execution period: 1st April – 30th September 30, 2026
Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants | Open call in January | 3 grants available | Execution: 1st March – 30th September, 2026
Conference Grants | Conference support will be available across three calls
Call window | Total available Budget | Grants | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
Jan – Mar 2026 | €7,000 | 1YRI | 1 ITC | 1DC | 1st Trimester |
Apr – Jun 2026 | €11,000 | 2YRI | 2 ITC | 1 DC | 2nd Trimester |
Jul – Sep 2026 | €5,000 | 1 YRI | 0 ITC | 1 DC | 3rd Trimester |
(YRI = Young Researchers and Innovators; ITC = Inclusiveness Target Countries; DC = Dissemination Conferences)
Dissemination Grants | €2,000 available for project-related outreach activities.
Follow us on social media and check your emails for application details and deadlines to secure your opportunity for training and collaboration.
Contacts
Stay connected with our latest updates by following us on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Join our community to stay informed about research highlights, project milestones, and new opportunities to engage with our work.
Learn more about our initiative via the SENESCENCE2030 Website.
For inquiries feel free to reach us directly at info@senescence2030.eu.