Application

Deadline 15 April each year.

The 2016 deadline is at 14:00 CEST on 15 April. 

Application process:

Applications are accepted via an online system. There is an online form for both the scientist and receiving institute. Please refer to our application guidelines (PDF) before starting your application.

The online system 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" (doc)
• Please refer to the application guidelines (PDF) when completing this form.
• Details of any other funding sources available to the applicant.

* 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 by the online system. They 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" (doc) 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 (note that the applicant is expected to have limited teaching and administrative duties)
• 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 by the the Strategic Installation Grant Board, which is made up of representatives from participating EMBC Members States.

Selection process:

1. Initial screening to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. Final decisions on the awarding of Installation Grants is made by the Strategic Development Installation Grants Board at the end of November.
5. 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?
• Please note that EMBO is a signatory of DORA and does not use journal-based metrics such as impact factor for evaluation.
• 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.
• What are the teaching requirements and other responsibilities of the applicant? Is the time that can be dedicated to research sufficient?
• 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 to five years from the host EMBC Member State. The extension for the fourth and fifth years will be granted subject to a positive review in the third year. All current grantees can also apply for small grants of up to 10,000 euros per year 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:

• Joint group meetings
• Collaboration visits
• Travel costs to give a seminar at another programme members' institute
• Lab member research visits
• Access to EMBL Core Facilities
• The annual EMBO Young Investigator meeting
• Special interest groups organizing sectoral meetings on a number of topics
• Grants for attending or organizing conferences
• Training in basic management skills through EMBO Laboratory Management Courses
• An annual campaign highlighting vacancies in programme members' laboratories
• Annual course for PhD students from programme members' laboratories
• Mentorship by an EMBO Member
• an on-line training course on responsible conduct of research, which was co-developed by the EMBO Science Policy Programme.

Detailed information about benefits are listed in the Young Investigator Programme guide (pdf).