Advancing promising technologies and therapies towards clinical application is a complex undertaking. Academic research often lacks easy access to regulatory, therapy development expertise, manufacturing, and healthcare practice, leading to high failure rates.
For this reason, at EATRIS, we offer tailored mentoring services that support researchers and innovators in navigating the complex translational pathway from early development through regulatory and clinical phases. Our mentoring is delivered by international experts working under full confidentiality.
EATRIS mentoring services are open to projects across all therapeutic areas from oncology and neuroscience to infectious diseases and more. In addition, researchers working in the fields of rare diseases or drug repurposing can currently benefit from free-of-charge mentoring, thanks to two dedicated EU-funded initiatives: ERDERA and REMEDi4ALL.
Who Can Apply?
- Academic researchers and clinicians
- Early-stage SMEs and biotech innovators
- Patient organisations with translational project goals
How to Access Mentoring Support
We offer three key project-based pathways for free mentoring depending on the focus of your research:
1. ERDERA – Mentoring for Rare Disease Projects
Are you developing a therapy, diagnostic, or technology for a rare disease?
Through the ERDERA (European Rare Disease Ecosystem and Research Alliance) project, EATRIS offers:
- Free-of-charge mentoring for rare disease translational research-– supporting researchers from the earliest project planning stages through to post-funding implementation
- Expert advice on regulatory, clinical, technical, and access challenges- including translational feasibility, product classification, quality assurance and control, manufacturing, therapy development, intellectual property strategy, and suitability of analytical readouts
- Access to a collaborative network of rare disease specialists and patients, ensuring guidance is informed by both scientific excellence and real-world patient needs
Advancing promising technologies and therapies to the clinic can be complex, with academic research often lacking direct access to regulatory expertise, therapy development know-how, manufacturing capabilities, and healthcare practice. The ERDERA mentoring programme helps bridge these gaps by providing targeted, confidential guidance from a panel of international experts, with the aim of increasing the impact and patient benefit of translational research projects in rare diseases.
2. REMEDi4ALL – Mentoring for drug repurposing projects
Are you working on drug repurposing – exploring new indications for existing therapies?
The REMEDi4ALL Concierge is an online form-based portal where patient groups, researchers, charities or life science companies can introduce their drug repurposing projects. These projects can span all stages of drug development, from early discovery and late-stage clinical research to regulatory approval and market entry.
Once you submit a request, our team arranges a 30-minute introductory call to explore whether and how we can assist your project. Based on this, we provide:
- Scientific and technical expertise
- Strategies for engaging with patients and key stakeholders
- Regulatory and legal insights to navigate regulatory processes
- Strategic and business guidance
- Opportunities to build collaborations and partnerships
- Help with identifying funding opportunities and connecting with potential funders
While the Concierge does not directly provide funding, it serves as an access point to REMEDi4ALL’s multidisciplinary European consortium, offering both initial advice and potentially ongoing collaboration to help turn repurposing ideas into actionable projects that ultimately benefit patients.
3. ERA4Health – Mentoring for Translational Health Projects
Are you developing innovative research to improve prevention, diagnosis, or treatment within the ERA4Health partnership?
Through the ERA4Health programme, EATRIS provides innovation mentorship services to full proposal applicants, supporting the translation and impact of health research across Europe. Eligible applicants gain access to:
- Personalised mentoring to address translational and innovation challenges from project design to implementation
- Training sessions and access to the EATRIS Innovation Management Toolbox to strengthen innovation capacity
The mentoring process begins with a mentoring request, followed by a tailored mentoring proposal outlining key focus areas and potential mentors. After targeted online sessions, ongoing support is provided to help applicants maximise the translational value of their projects.
Patient organisations with translational project goals
EATRIS provides customised mentoring services to patient organisations aiming to increase the translational impact of their funding initiatives. By drawing on our extensive network of academic and clinical experts in translational research, we help ensure that research proposals supported by patient-led efforts are better prepared for real-world results. These mentoring services focus on enhancing scientific strength, clinical relevance, and translational feasibility, ultimately boosting the chances of achieving tangible benefits for patients. One example of this is our partnership with the Brain Foundation NL, where EATRIS supported the “Op weg naar genezing” (“Road to Cure”) funding program through expert mentoring, helping applicants improve the translational value of their proposals.
Not Sure Where You Fit?
If your project spans multiple areas (e.g. a rare disease and a repurposing approach), or you’re unsure which mentoring path suits your needs best:
Contact our team for personalised guidance via info@eatris.eu.
