CAP BIOSPACE: Exploring Space Biology for the Future

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As a recipient of funding under the “Skills and Future Careers” (AMI CMA) call for projects, part of the France 2030 national investment plan, CAP BIOSPACE offers an innovative response to the challenges of space exploration and extreme terrestrial environments. Led by the University of Bordeaux and its 18 partners, the project aims to develop an interdisciplinary training pathway in space biology and health.

Photo : Vol parabolique © Seamus Thierry / Novespace - ESA/NASA
Vol parabolique © Seamus Thierry / Novespace - ESA/NASA

CAP BIOSPACE addresses the growing interest in human space exploration, particularly missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the long-term maintenance of a human presence in low Earth orbit. It prepares the next generation of professionals to tackle unique challenges: understanding the biological effects of extreme environments and anticipating the needs of sustainable space exploration.

Bringing together a national consortium of universities, research laboratories and companies, CAP BIOSPACE combines expertise in biology, health, engineering and space technologies. It is part of an ambitious vision to ensure that France and Europe continue to play a leading role in international space exploration programmes.

The CAP BIOSPACE project aims to:

  • Develop a national training pathway in space biology and health;
  • Create innovative, interdisciplinary training programmes incorporating experimental methods, work placements in companies and collaborative projects;
  • Enhance the appeal of careers in space exploration and biotechnology among young people and professionals looking to retrain;
  • Integrate the training programmes developed into international cooperation initiatives;
  • Meet the training needs of companies that will develop the technologies and infrastructure required to support a new era of human presence in space.

Target audiences

CAP BIOSPACE brings together universities, space companies, research laboratories and education stakeholders to strengthen undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes, as well as continuing professional development and science outreach initiatives for school pupils. To raise awareness of space biology and the challenges of extreme environments, the project offers activities tailored to different audiences.

CAP BIOSPACE is aimed at:

 

  • Secondary school pupils and teachers, who are introduced to scientific and technological challenges through educational workshops and kits, while teachers receive training in educational tools to incorporate space biology into their teaching;
  • University students in biology, health and sports sciences (from undergraduate to doctoral level), who benefit from interdisciplinary, hands-on training through inter-university research and project-based modules, as well as the BioSpace-Xpert Master's Year 2 programme, open to international students;
  • PhD candidates seeking co-funding for doctoral research projects related to space or extreme environments;
  • Professionals looking to retrain or pursue further training, with an interest in the space applications of biotechnology and medical devices, through digital learning modules and blended training programmes.

 

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Objectives

  • Train 500 students over five years;
  • Raise awareness of space biology among 3,000 secondary school pupils and 60 teachers through workshops and educational kits;
  • Build national and international collaboration in space biology education.

Call for PhD Thesis Topic Proposals - CAP BIOSPACE

Project overview

  • France 2030 objective : Playing our full part in the space adventure
  • Theme : Space exploration and biology
  • Project leads : Jean-Luc MOREL and Jean-François QUIGNARD
  • Funding : €4.00 million (total project budget: €8.41 million)
  • Project duration : Five years (2025–2030)

Consortium members: university of Bordeaux, Way4Space, Aix-Marseille University, University of Caen, University of Burgundy, Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier University, University of Montpellier, Rennes 2 University, Jean Monnet University Saint-Étienne, University of Lorraine, Clermont Auvergne University, Sorbonne University, Université Paris Cité, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Paris-Saclay University, CNRS, IFREMER, MEDES and Ethospace

This project has received funding from the French State, managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the France 2030 investment plan, grant reference ANR-25-CMAS-0006.

Contacts

  • Jean-Luc Morel

    Projet Co-Lead

  • Jean-François Quignard

    Projet Co-Lead

  • Alice Nicole

    CAP BIOSPACE Project Manager

    cma.cap.biospace%40u-bordeaux.fr

  • Maud Rabau

    CAP BIOSPACE Educational Engineer

    maud.rabau%40u-bordeaux.fr