During Grant Period 2, SIGMA-1EUROPE supported 7 researchers through Inclusiveness Target Countries Conference Grants (ITCCGs), with a total budget of EUR 6,326. The grantees came from 4 countries – Türkiye (4), Hungary, Latvia and Azerbaijan – and presented their work at 3 international conferences in Poland, Sweden and Italy. Five of the grantees were young researchers, and six of the seven were women. These grants supported researchers from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries in sharing their results, receiving scientific feedback and building new international collaborations.
6th European Symposium on Sigma-1 Receptors / 2nd SIGMA-1EUROPE Meeting
9-11 June 2026, Kraków, Poland · 5 grants
The 6th European Symposium on Sigma-1 Receptors and 2nd SIGMA-1EUROPE Meeting, held at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, brought together five ITCCG grantees, four of whom gave oral presentations. One of the grantees, Anna Miteniece, was also recognized in the first SIGMA-1EUROPE Early-Career Award Competition, receiving 3rd place and the Audience Choice Award.
Ayşegül Kurt Kasap (Gümüşhane University, Türkiye)
SigmaR1-related functional EEG signatures of Alzheimer’s disease: insights from theta/alpha ratio and cognitive performance
(oral presentation)
Ayşegül explored how sigma-1 receptor-related EEG biomarkers, particularly the theta/alpha ratio, relate to cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease. The meeting gave her the opportunity to discuss her findings with international experts, receive valuable scientific feedback and establish new contacts within the network.
Gül Ünsel Bolat (Balıkesir University, Türkiye)
Rare SIGMAR1 gene variants in a cohort of neurodevelopmental disorders
(oral presentation)
Gül presented rare SIGMAR1 variants identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and discussed their potential biological relevance for sigma receptor signalling. The conference also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers working in related fields and develop new connections within the SIGMA-1EUROPE community.
Hayrani Eren Bostancı (Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Türkiye)
Sigma-1 receptor-targeted nanofibrous biomaterial systems for modulating cellular stress and enhancing wound healing
(oral presentation)
Tuğba Ağbektaş (Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Türkiye)
The relationship between SIGMAR1 and purinergic signalling: stage-dependent expression changes in diabetic retinopathy
Anna Miteniece (National Institute of Research and Innovation, Latvia)
Brain region- and sex-specific transcriptome of sigma-1 receptor knock-out mice
(oral presentation, Early-Career Award session — 3rd place and Audience Choice Award)
34th GP2A Conference on Medicinal Chemistry
26-28 August 2026, Gothenburg, Sweden · 1 grant
Gunel Aliyeva (Baku State University, Azerbaijan)
Development of optimized Suzuki–Miyaura strategies for aryl and pyridyl benzo[b]thiophene derivatives: toward improved yields and pharmaceutical relevance
29th EVER Congress
15–18 October 2026, Florence, Italy · 1 grant
Judit Hodrea (SigmaDrugs Research Ltd, Hungary)
Fluvoxamine-mediated sigma-1 receptor activation as an innovative therapy for hypertensive glaucoma
Taken together, these grants gave researchers from Inclusiveness Target Countries the opportunity to present their work across a broad range of fields, from neurodevelopmental genetics and neurophysiology to biomaterials, ophthalmology and medicinal chemistry. They also strengthened connections between the grantees and the wider SIGMA-1EUROPE community.
New calls for ITC Conference Grants will be announced in the next grant period. Follow the SIGMA-1EUROPE website and social media channels for upcoming opportunities.
