Academic Programme

InnoCARE - Innovation for CArdiovascular, metabolic and REspiratory diseases - Master’s level

Specialisations: Innovation for CArdiovascular, metabolic and REspiratory diseases (InnoCARE)
Diplôme national de master contrôlé par l'État

Résumé

Objectives : Innovating to improve patient care: training the next generation of researchers in translational research in cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory pathophysiology. Read more

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Details

General information

This Master is accredited
as a Graduate Programme
- Degree's : Master
- Entry: September 2027
- Duration: 2 years
- Location: Nantes - Faculty S&T (M1) / Facultry of Medecine and Pharmacie (M2)
- Langue:  French/English
- Full time programme

Download our brochure
 

Internships and International mobility

- Welcome Mobility Grant for International students
- Internship opportunities from our affiliated laboratories, members of our networks and international partners : more information

Laboratory

Agenda

  • Welcome meeting : September 2026
  • Career Exploration Day: October 2026
  • Winter School : January 2027
  • Hackathon : spring 2027
  • Summer School : July 2nd and 3rd 2027
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Introduction

Choosing InnoCARE means training across all dimensions of integrated physiology and pathophysiology, from disease characterization to disease modelling, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies.


Students are trained in innovative approaches to the study of pathophysiology and the treatment of diseases, including:
  • Genomics, genetics, and transcriptomics
  • Disease modelling using stem cells, organoids, or animal models
  • Integrative phenotyping (multimodal imaging, electrophysiology)
  • Bioanalysis and bioinformatics
  • Biomarker identification and development of innovative therapies
  • Cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases remain major causes of mortality worldwide. This master's program provides strong career prospects in academic, industrial, and clinical research, as well as opportunities to pursue a PhD.
Over the two-year program, students can tailor their training by selecting among three possible tracks: clinical research, experimental research, research and analysis of omics data.

Experimental Research track : Designed for students wishing to pursue careers in academic research or biomedical research in industry.
  • It develops key skills in scientific reasoning, experimental methodologies, and critical analysis of data in life and health sciences
  • It emphasizes experimental design, mastery laboratory techniques, and rigorous interpretation of scientific results
Clinical Research track : Designed for students wishing to translate today’s knowledge into tomorrow’s therapies.
  • It develops skills required to understand pathophysiological mechanisms, design and conduct clinical studies, and evaluate new treatments or medical devices
  • It focuses on clinical trial methodology, clinical data analysis, and regulatory aspects of health.
Research and analysis of omics data : Designed for students wishing to specialise in bioinformatics and omics data analysis.
  • It develops expertise in exploring complex relationships between genes, proteins, metabolites, and other biomolecules
  • It focuses on multidimensional approaches, cutting-edge computational tools, and integrative interpretation of omics datasets

Why choose this Master’s programme?

  • Translational approach to diseases: arrhythmias, valvular diseases, diabetes, obesity, asthma, hypertension, aneurysms, etc.
  • Innovative methods and technologies: genomics, stem cells, organoids, genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), cell biology, animal models, imaging, electrophysiology, biomarkers, molecular medicine, biotherapies
  • Laboratory immersion
  • Career opportunities at Master’s (Bac+5) and PhD level (Bac+8) in academic, private, and clinical sectors
  • Personalized student support
  • International mobility opportunities

Our International Partnerships

What mobility support is available?

The InnoCARE Master’s programme contributes to the funding of incoming and outgoing international mobility. For more information, please contact the programme coordinators.


Our class patrons

2025–2026: Marianne Abi Fadel – Sorbonne University & Saint Joseph University of Beirut (Lebanon)
2024–2025: Connie Bezzina – UMC Amsterdam (Netherlands)
2023–2024: Jean-Claude Tardif – Montreal Heart Institute (Canada)
2026–2027: Holger Gerhardt, Max Delbrück Centre (Berlin, Germany)

Places

Nantes

Our partners

Research center

Admission

Entry requirement

Academic requirement

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

Language requirement :

A minimum level of B2 in French is required, applicants must provide one of the following:

  • TCF level 4 (B2), with a minimum score of 14/20 in written expression.
  • DALF or DELF B2, with a minimum score of 65/100.
  • DUEF B2 from Nantes Université, with a minimum average of 14/20.
  • French-speaking nationals or students who have completed their entire Bachelor’s degree in French (see the list of eligible countries at Admission to Nantes University).

Application

Application procedure

This Graduate Programme accepts applications for both the first year (M1) and second year (M2) of the Master’s degree.

The InnoCARE programme is open to students from Life Sciences or equivalent degree programmes for entry into the first year of the Master’s degree.
The InnoCARE programme is open to students from Science and Health-related degree programmes for entry into the second year of the Master’s degree.

Application procedure for the 2027-2028 academic year

If you are a French national or a citizen of the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra and you wish to apply for the first year of the Master's (M1): please use the Mon Master platform.
If you are a citizen of, or currently residing in, the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco or Andorra and you wish to apply for the second year of the Master's (M2), please use the Graduate programme application platform*.

You are a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra :

For further information, please consult our Admission to Nantes University page.
*Note : Please create an Adullact account to start your application. The Graduate programme application platform open from OCTOBER 1st , 2026 to MARCH 15th , 2027

Documents required:

  1. A CV written in English or French
  2. A motivation letter written in English or French
  3. A recommendation letter
  4. Academic transcripts
  5. Proof of language proficiency
  6. Valid ID (Passport)

Additional information:

  • Tuition fees and Scholarships
  • Budget estimation
  • Welcome grant: Graduate programmes offer a €1,500 Welcome Scholarship for the best international students. Please prepare your application carefully to demonstrate your motivation for the programme.
  • Internship: You may complete your internship abroad, with our financial support depending on the host country and the length of your internship. If you choose to do it in France, you will receive financial support of approximately €600 per month.

Programme

Master 1
  • Specific courses (18 ECTS): Understanding cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases; designing a research project; history of discoveries in translational research.
  • Elective courses are offered depending on the chosen track (9ECTS): Experimental Research, Clinical Research, or Data Analysis.
  • Cross-disciplinary courses (24 ECTS): Scientific English, genome manipulation, bioinformatics.
  • Internship: 8 to 12 weeks (9 ECTS)

Master 2
  • Specific courses (12 ECTS): Developing an innovative integrative approach (advanced level); journal club in English.
  • Elective courses are offered depending on the chosen track (12 ECTS): Experimental Research, Clinical Research, or Data Analysis.
  • Cross-disciplinary course (6 ECTS): Interdisciplinary project.
  • Internship: 6 months (30 ECT)
Download full programme (M1 and M2)

What's next?

Level of education obtained after completion

Bac+5

Competencies acquired

Throughout their studies, GP InnoCARE students will be trained in the following scientific strategies

  • Conduct literature and technological resource analysis for research purposes
  • Design a research project in life and health sciences within the chosen field of specialization
  • Develop and implement experimental approaches in life and health sciences
  • Analyze data collected in fundamental, clinical, or pharmacological research studies
  • Disseminate and promote scientific results and research outputs

Further studies

After two years of a Master's degree, you will have the choice of developing your own career or pursuing a research project at PhD level.

Career opportunities

Employability

Career opportunities : 
  • Experimental Research: Research engineer, research scientist, R&D engineer, project manager, business development associate.
  • Clinical Research: Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Clinical Trial Coordinator, Clinical Project Manager.
  • Omics Data Research and Analysis: Bioinformatics engineer, computational biologist, multi-omics data analyst, bioanalyst, R&D engineer.
Employment Sectors: Academic research laboratories, biotechnology and R&D companies, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
  • Public lab : Engineer, project manager, clinical research assistant ...
  • Private compagnies : R&D engineer, medical Science liaison, business manager
  • Management/marketing : Sale manager, market research 
Updated on 05 October 2026.