European social fund supports ATMP competence development
Competence Development within ATMP is a multi-partner initiative focused on strengthening workforce readiness for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), including gene, cell and tissue-based therapies.
Sahlgrenska Science Park, in collaboration with Region Västra Götaland, the ATMP Center and Gothia Forum at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and CCRM Nordic, has been awarded a European Social Fund grant for this project. With a total budget of SEK 10.4 million, co-financed by the Environmental and Regional Development Committee at Region Västra Götaland, the initiative supports structured competence development in advanced therapies.
Addressing the ATMP skills gap in Europe
As ATMPs enter clinical practice, healthcare systems and industry face significant skills shortages. The project focuses on mapping current competence gaps, identifying priority training needs, and developing targeted education solutions aligned with real clinical and industrial requirements.
By connecting innovation ecosystems across Europe, the initiative strengthens collaboration and accelerates the implementation of advanced therapies.
Training healthcare professionals in gene and cell therapy
The project will prepare more than 500 healthcare professionals — including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, biologists and laboratory scientists — for the implementation of advanced therapy medicinal products.
Activities include stakeholder engagement, structured training (both physical and digital), and workplace-based application to ensure sustainable and effective integration of ATMPs into healthcare practice.
Supporting long-term capacity in advanced therapies
Based on a pre-study identifying essential competence needs, the project operates at individual, organisational and structural levels. By aligning education with real-world implementation, the initiative enhances regional and European capacity for advanced therapies and strengthens collaboration between healthcare, academia and industry.