NETCARE network: Europe-wide collaboration in cancer research and education
Our initiative «Network for Cancer Research and Education» (NETCARE), which unites all ten ENLIGHT partner universities and more than 150 cancer research teams, is being funded by ENLIGHT funds.
The initiative strengthens joint efforts to further advance cancer prevention, diagnostics, therapy, and patient care in Europe. It promotes collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and educators to share expertise, cutting-edge research technologies, and procedures.
NETCARE strengthens innovation, supports young researchers through exchange and training programs, and drives the development of new research projects and therapies.
By networking emerging and established cancer centers, a dynamic ecosystem is created with the necessary critical mass and diversity to effectively shape research and development. At the same time, NETCARE supports a new generation of scientists in addressing the future challenges of cancer research.
The University of Bern is represented by the Cancer Research Network Bern (CRNB) – the research arm of the University Comprehensive Cancer Center Inselspital (UCI). Within the framework of NETCARE, the CRNB is represented by the CRNB Steering Committee (Mario P. Tschan, Debora Stroka, Michaela Medová, Thomas Marti) and by CRNB cancer researcher Sofia Karkampouna.
The CRNB represents the University of Bern in the ENLIGHT NETCARE network. NETCARE is open to participation by additional partners, research group leaders at the University of Bern who can become involved in network, teaching and research activities with partners from other ENLIGHT universities.
Key activities
- Multidisciplinary research workshops and exchanges
- Guest lectures, internships, co-supervised PhDs
- Expertise mapping and network website
- Annual international cancer seminar
Expected impact
- Stronger EU-level consortia and funding success
- Improved oncology education and researcher career development
- Increased international visibility of the ENLIGHT alliance
ENLIGHT
The European University Alliance ENLIGHT brings together ten research-intensive comprehensive universities to jointly achieve structural development towards a networked campus for students, lecturers, researchers and staff.
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University of Bordeaux (Coordinator) |
Network coordination; leadership in cancer research through the Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC); strong integration of fundamental, translational, and clinical cancer research; close links to clinical research environments |
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Ghent University |
Advanced expertise in cancer education; radiobiology; integration of research-led teaching and educational innovation in oncology |
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University of Bern |
Tissue pathology; tumour biology; innovation at the interface of pathology, experimental oncology, and translational research |
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Uppsala University |
Medical biochemistry applied to cancer research; molecular and biochemical approaches to tumour biology |
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University of Göttingen |
Translational cancer research; bridging fundamental cancer biology with clinically relevant applications |
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University of Groningen |
Haematological malignancies; early-stage cancer research; strong platforms for translational experimentation and functional genomics |
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Comenius University |
Haematological cancers; early-stage and translational cancer research; functional genomics and experimental oncology |
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University of Galway |
Blood cancers; clinical trial ecosystem via the Blood Cancer Network Ireland; strong experience in industry collaboration and translational research |
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University of Tartu |
Oncology training; molecular diagnostics; contribution of niche expertise strengthening education–research integration |
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University of the Basque Country |
Molecular diagnostics; oncology training; specialised expertise adding depth and diversity to cancer research and teaching |
Useful links
Teaching and Learning Conference 2026
22-24 October 2026, Bern
ENLIGHT organizes an annual Teaching and Learning Conference. This event brings together teaching staff, educational developers, and students from all 10 ENLIGHT universities to discuss innovative student-centered, and research-oriented learning approaches as well as other aspects of teaching. https://onlineexpo.com/en/enlight-2026/
Organization of joint courses among universities
Development of teaching offers on the NETCARE ENLIGHT website.
ENLIGHT website
enlight-eu.org
ENLIGHT membership
Map of the members of the European University Alliance