Next Generation Investigator Awards
Are you looking for a chance to share your work at a scientific meeting? Next Generation Investigator Awards are an excellent opportunity for graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, or early career industrial scientists to meet, network, and participate in exchanging knowledge with industry peers from across the world with waived registration and grants to offset travel expenses.
CASSS is pleased to provide a limited number of Next Generation Investigator* (NGI) for PhD students, post-docs, and early career professionals for CGTP Europe 2026. Selected award winners will be required to give an oral presentation at the Symposium, record a brief video testimonial, or write a synopsis of a CGTP Europe session that will be posted on the website for general information. PhD students or post-doctoral fellows conducting research in academia or industry throughout the world are eligible.
Why should you apply?
As an award winner, your registration fees will be waived and you will receive a travel reimbursement grant to offset the cost of travel to the symposium. This is an excellent opportunity to meet, network, and participate in exchanging knowledge for mutual education with other members.
How do you apply?
Click the link below to complete the application. Please be prepared to submit a letter requesting consideration for the grant, proof of studentship or post-doc status, and letter of recommendation from your supervisor all in PDF form. If you have any questions, please contact the Symposium Manager, Randi Jacobs.
Application for a travel grant or selection as an awardee does not release you from the obligation to register. If you are selected as an awardee, you are still required to register. Information on how to register will be sent with the outcome notification.
What are the requirements to apply?
All applicants must provide the following with their application:
- Recommendation from your advisor and/or supervisor.
- Proof of NGI* status.
- The ability to scribe a roundtable during the Symposium or to write a synopsis of a 2026 session.
The deadline to submit applications is 30 July 2026.
For more information on CASSS Next Generation Investigator Awards, click here.
*CASSS defines NGIs as individuals that are either currently in full or nearly full-time study for a formal academic qualification (e.g. degree, PhD), or have less than 4 years from the commencement of their first postdoctoral or first professional industrial or governmental position. NGIs can be in academia, government, industry, or any other organization that participates in the field of biopharmaceutical development, and may be based anywhere in the world. Career breaks will be recognized.
"Receiving the NGI award enabled me to attend the symposium and engage with various industry professionals with diverse backgrounds, career paths, and perspectives. These conversations were excellent networking opportunities that elucidated which roles may be a good fit for me based on my interests and skills, as well as what actions I can take to make myself a stronger candidate for these positions. I am extremely grateful to CASSS for the award and experience, and look forward to entering the next stage of my career with the new knowledge and connections that I gained at the Symposium."
—Nicole Pannullo, Past CGTP Award Winner"The conversations that occured at this event brought together experts in industry, academia, and government to discuss ongoing efforts within the growing field of cell & gene therapy. Moreover, CASSS is a welcoming and cohesive community that I have come to enjoy being a part of and contributing towards. Through CGTP, I was able to meet many other members within the CASSS community and discuss our shared interests in seeing these promising approaches positively impact patients moving forward."
—Timothy Hufford, Past CGTP Award Winner