How to apply
RAMP-UP: Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products – United for PhD Excellence
RAMP-UP welcomes motivated early-career researchers from around the world to apply for a funded PhD position in the field of regenerative medicine and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). Here’s how to prepare your application and navigate the selection process step-by-step.
Application Requirements
RAMP-UP doctoral fellowship applications must be submitted online via the official RAMP-UP Application Portal.
A special call (Call 1B) for Project 13 is now closed.
All applications will undergo an Eligibility Check conducted by the RAMP-UP Management Team (MT). This assessment verifies:
- Application completeness, including:
- Submission of the online application form;
- Use of the mandatory motivation letter and CV templates;
- Upload of all required diplomas and academic transcripts; and
- Provision of contact details for two referees.
- Compliance with the mobility requirement.
- Fulfilment of the educational eligibility criteria.
- Demonstrated hands-on research experience in at least two of the following: Gene and/or cell therapy, Pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs/ESCs), NK cell biology, Immunology and/or autoimmune diseases
Applicants must clearly describe their relevant research experience and technical expertise in their application. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered eligible.
Please note that only applications that fully satisfy all mandatory application and project-specific requirements by the submission deadline will be considered. Incomplete, non-compliant, or late applications will not be reviewed.
All application materials must be submitted in English. Documents issued in another language must be accompanied by an officially certified English translation.
The Required Documents to be submitted at the time of application include the following:
Online Application Form (mandatory)
- The form includes personal details and an eligibility declaration.
- Applications must be submitted via the RAMP-UP Application Portal
Motivation Letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) (mandatory)
- Motivation Letter: Max. 1 page.
- CV: Max 2 pages.
- Applicants must use the mandatory template available for download: RAMP-UP Motivation Letter and CV Template (in English, Word 3.1MB)
- Upload the Motivation Letter and CV as a single PDF under the filename:
RampUp_Call1B_2026_MotivationLetter_CV_LastName in the application system.
Selection of Research Projects (mandatory)
- Applicants must apply for the single research project advertised in the call.
Academic Diplomas and Transcripts (mandatory)
- Copies of your bachelor’s and master’s degree diplomas, along with full academic transcripts and their translations, must be combined into a single PDF file.
- The file must be uploaded under the filename: RampUp_Call1B_2026_DiplomasTranscripts_LastName in the application system.
- Documents not issued in English should be accompanied by an officially certified English translation.
- Important: Master’s degree must be completed before the start of PhD.
References
- Contact information for two referees (academic supervisors or mentors).
- At least one referee must be an academic supervisor/mentor with direct knowledge of the applicant’s research abilities (e.g. master’s thesis supervisor).
The optional Documents include the following:
English Language Proficiency
- Candidates must have a very good command of English.
- Proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL or IELTS) is not required at the time of application but may be requested later by the host department or node if necessary.
- You may upload proof of English proficiency with your application if available; this is optional. Please ensure that your last name is included in the file name.
Selection Process
Eligibility Check: Conducted by the Management Team (MT) to verify:
- Application completeness:
- Completion and submission of the online application form;
- Use of the mandatory templates for the motivation letter and CV;
- Upload of required diplomas and academic transcripts; and
- Provision of two referee contacts
- Compliance with the mobility requirement
- Fulfilment of the educational eligibility criteria
- Strong and demonstrated hands-on research experience in at least two of the following: Gene and/or cell therapy, Pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs/ESCs), NK cell biology, Immunology and autoimmune diseases (Applicants must clearly describe their experience and technical skills in these areas. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered eligible)
Remote Evaluation: Performed by the Central Selection Committee (CSC), composed of independent experts.
Interview Format: Shortlisted candidates participate in a 30-minute online interview:
- 7 minutes: Candidate presentation (background, motivation for joining RAMP-UP, previous work (Master's thesis or other relevant research).
- 20 minutes: Q&A session assessing scientific knowledge, motivation, and communication skills.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application is scored by independent experts using a structured evaluation grid.
Maximum score: 25 points
Cut-off: 15 points (60%)
Tie-breaker: In the event of equal scores, an additional 0.5 points will be awarded to candidates with disabilities, refugee status, or belonging to an underrepresented gender.
Criteria for Application Evaluation:
Please refer to the Guide for Applicants for detailed scoring information
- Scientific Training (up to 15 points)
- Career Plan (up to 5 points)
Professional Experience (up to 5 points)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview.
Maximum score: 20 points
Interview Evaluation Criteria:
Please refer to the Guide for Applicants for detailed scoring information
- Presentation & Communication (up to 10 points)
- Scientific Excellence (up to 5 points)
Career Plan & Motivation (up to 5 points)
Combined score from application and interview: Maximum 45 points
- Cut-off for success: 33.5 points (75%)
- Priority in case of equal scores:
- Researchers at risk
- Researchers with disabilities
- Underrepresented gender
In accordance with the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, a transparent redress procedure is in place for applicants who believe that their application has not been evaluated fairly.
Requests for redress may be submitted at any stage of the evaluation process, including:
- Eligibility check
- Application assessment
- Interview stage
A request for review must be based on substantiated concerns, such as:
- A material irregularity in the evaluation process
- Non-compliance with the established selection procedures
Please note that applicants may not contest the scientific or qualitative judgment of the selection committee members.
All review requests will be assessed by two independent experts who were not involved in the original evaluation process, ensuring full impartiality. These experts will be appointed following procedures equivalent to those used for the selection committee.
The outcome of the review will be communicated to the RAMP-UP Management Team and to the applicant within a maximum of 15 days from the receipt of the request.
If the review concludes that the request is justified, the application will be re-evaluated in full, including a new interview where applicable.
Special Call: Doctoral Fellow Position (CLOSED)
Join the first cohort of the RAMP-UP Doctoral Programme
Application period: 17 July – 26 July 2026
Online interviews: August–September 2026
Notification of outcome: August–September 2026
Programme start: Autumn 2026
This special call is now closed. The selected candidate will join an international and interdisciplinary research environment focused on developing innovative gene and cell therapy approaches for autoimmune diseases at Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Information for Prospective Doctoral Fellows
Before applying, we encourage prospective doctoral fellows to review the guidance below. These resources outline what it means to be an MSCA doctoral fellow and what to expect as part of the RAMP-UP programme.
Contact
RAMP-UP Doctoral Programme
Email: RampUp [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se
SUPPORTED BY AN EU COFUND ACTION
The RAMP-UP program has received funding from the European Union’s COFUND action, a part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Program within the European Commission MSCA framework. RAMP-UP Grant agreement ID: 101216514
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or MSCA. Neither the European Union nor the MSCA can be held responsible for them.