Apply for an Installation Grant

Eligibility

Applicants must:

have an excellent publication record
be negotiating a full-time position at an institute/university in the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal or Turkey by the date of application, or have established a laboratory in one of these countries in the last two years (counted from 1 Jan in year of application).
have, in the four years prior to application, spent at least two consecutive years outside the country in which they are applying to establish their laboratory.

Further restrictions:

applicants who have not yet started their new position, must take-up the position and start the grant by 31 December in the year following application. For successful applicants who have already established their laboratories the grant start date is 1 January in the year following application.

No age or nationality limit applies.

Application

Deadline 15 April each year.

Application process:

Applications are accepted via an online system. There is an online form for both the scientist and receiving institute.

The online systems asks the scientist to provide:

CV data and summary of planned research
Details of the person who will complete the receiving institute form on behalf of the host institute*
Details for three referees*
A completed "IG Scientist Application Form". Applicants should refer to the application guidelines when completing this form.

* Important note: The details of the referees and host institute should be submitted as soon as possible. You can continue to update your online form until the deadline. Reference letters and information about the host institute are automatically requested, and are only accepted via the online system and must be submitted by the deadline.

The receiving institute contact will be sent a link and password by email to access and complete the receiving institute form online. They will also be emailed a "Receiving Institute Confirmation Form" which must be signed by the head of the institute and posted in original to the address on the form.

The receiving institute will be asked to describe:

the institute's infrastructure
available equipment
relevant colleagues (i.e. show that the scientists at the institute work in areas that are relevant to the applicant's research)
the duties of the applicant
details of the offer that is being made to the applicant. The offer should go beyond a position and laboratory space.

Selection

Selection of EMBO Installation Grantees is made by the EMBO Young Investigator Committee. The number of grants to be awarded is decided upon by the participating EMBC Members States.

Selection process:

Initial screening to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
Pre-screening of applications: approximately 50% are selected for interview with an EMBO Member who is an expert in their research area.

The pre-screen focuses primarily on the track record of the candidate and offer by the host institute.

Application, interview report and host institute's offer are taken into account by Young Investigator Committee who rank applications, based on the selection criteria described below.
Final decisions on the awarding of Installation Grants is made by the Strategic Development Installation Grants Board at the end of November.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by email shortly following the board meeting.

The aspects considered in particular by the EMBO Young Investigator Committee when ranking applicants are:

Track record

Are the publications to date an indication that this is an outstanding scientist?
Has the applicant shown a willingness to change research area/direction of research, which is an indication of an ability to tackle new and important problems?

Research

Is the proposed research interesting and realistic?

Group and Research environment

Is the research environment conducive to competitive research?
Are the number of laboratory members and the available funds sufficient to undertake the described research?

Offer by the host institute

Does the host institute provide a good environment for the applicant, i.e. sufficient lab space, basic lab equipment, access to central facilities, availability of funding for students/technicians/post docs, colleagues relevant to the applicant’s area of research etc.
An offer that is not considered adequate for the project presented by the applicant will receive low scores and as a result, may not be funded.

Independence

Is the candidate intellectually and financially independent?

Benefits

The EMBO Installation Grant is a financial award of 50,000 euros per year for three years from the host EMBC member state. An extension for a further two years is possible subject to a favourable review in the third year. All current grantees can also apply for small grants of up to 10,000 euros from funds provided by EMBO Council.

EMBO Installation Grantees are fully integrated into the EMBO Young Investigator Programme and benefit from the extensive networking opportunities and practical support this programme offers.

Installation Grantees are encouraged to interact with each other, EMBO Young Investigators, EMBL group leaders and the growing network of former programme members.

Funded activities include: