EMBO European Molecular Biology Organization

EMBO Young Investigator Programme

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About

Since its launch in 2000, the EMBO Young Investigator Programme (YIP) selects independent scientists throughout the EMBC Member States, thereby creating a European network of outstanding life scientists.
From the onset the EMBO Young Investigator Programme has attracted applications from some of the best young independent scientists in Europe.

The EMBO Young Investigator Programme offers a number of unique benefits to support the young group leaders in establishing a reputation as excellent scientists. Programme members can find detailed information and forms here.

  • A financial award of 15,000 euro p.a. for three years, made available by individual EMBC Member States*. EMBO also offers additional small grants.
  • Mentorship by EMBO Members, EMBO Young Investigator Lectures, the opportunity to submit a review to EMBO reports and participation at the annual EMBO Members Meetings aimed to augment the scientific reputation of the young investigators.
  • Networking funds support collaborations between EMBO Young Investigator laboratories, while an annual meeting provides the opportunity for members of the programme to convene.
  • Laboratory management courses offer young group leaders training in essential management skills, an annual course for the Young Investigators doctoral students allows members of their groups to benefit from the international environment created within the programme. 
  • Wide-ranging membership allows the formation of focus groups, such as in neurobiology, immunology, plant biology or DNA repair. These groups hold annual sectoral meetings of differing formats.
  • Through the inclusion of the EMBO Installation Grantees, networking has broadened. Young Investigators have expressed the wish to reach out to scientists in the peripheral EMBC Member States to increase the attractiveness of the life sciences and to showcase European science. The EMBO Young Scientists Forum has taken place in Istanbul in spring 2008. The 2009 meeting will take place in Croatia.

The programme is highly competitive, with a success rate of 13% membership is a true mark of scientific excellence.

*List of Member Countries that by the end of 2004 have agreed to pay the monetary award of 15,000 euro: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Eligibility

Applicants should:

  • Lead their first independent laboratory for at least one and not more then four years in an EMBC Member State. Please note - For female candidates with children the four year time limit is extended by one year per child.
  • At least two years of post PhD scientific experience and an excellent track record.
  • Work in the very broadly defined area of molecular biology.
  • Have obtained sufficient funding to run their laboratories. The applicant and his/her home institution must demonstrate that the former enjoys true scientific and financial independence.
  • Have published at least one last author paper after establishing an independent laboratory.
    Please note - We accept 'last author' papers that are in submission by the deadline (1 April each year). Please list these papers in the application form. You can update your publication list until 15 September.

Only in exceptional cases will an application from scientists over 40 years be considered. As special reasons the committee will consider:

- the birth of children (women only)
- parental leave
- illness
- military service

Please contact us should you require any further information.

Application

Please read the YIP Application Guidelines and download the Application Form (box to the right). 

Applications are accepted only online via the Young Investigator online application system. 

Deadline 1 April each year.

The following information is requested on application:

  • Names and addresses of three scientists (preferably former supervisors) from whom confidential letters of reference will be requested. Please add these names four weeks prior to the deadline via the online form to ensure the system notifies these scientists in time. You can continue to update your online form until 1 April.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Outline of research programme for the next three years (max. four pages, add bibliography). Please adhere to page limit.
  • A summary of your research programme. Please include a list of your four best papers.
  • A synopsis of your recent scientific work - including reference to best papers and why these papers are important

See also the Application Form (box to the right).

In addition please submit:

  • Four best papers as PDF files with your application
  • The signed "confirmation by host institute" page of the application by mail to the Young Investigator office mail address. Please include an unsigned version with your application form submitted online.
  • The completed online form includes a request to provide information on the funding available to your laboratory.

Re-application

Applicants are only allowed to re-apply once unless otherwise specified.
Normally, the application will be sent to your previous interviewer for re-evaluation if you apply for two consecutive years. You will not be asked to visit your interviewer again, but a short interview by phone is desirable.
We will inform you via email once all application forms and data have been received.
An alternative interview can be arranged, in exceptional cases, if the interviewer or applicant so request.

Selection

Incoming applications are screened to ensure eligibility requirements are met. Eligible applications are then sent to the Selection Committee for pre-screening and approximately 50% of the applicants are selected for interview by an EMBO Member expert in their area of research.

The interviewer is asked to comment on the quality, originality and feasibility of the proposed research project, the applicant's independence, the applicant's track record and the suitability of the research environment in conjunction with the applicant's resources to carry out the proposed research project.

The application file and the accompanying interview report are forwarded to six selection committee members for scoring. All candidates are then discussed at the committee meeting and selections are then made.

The programme accepts updates to the publications list until 15 September. The selection committee meetings are generally held in autumn for applications received by the April deadline.

Timetable for the selection procedure

Deadline for applications
 1 April
Interview report due
 30 June
Applications to selection committee
 15 July
Committee meeting
 28-29 October 2009

The EMBO Young Investigator Committee is looking for the best and most promising young independent researchers in Europe. The primary selection criterion applied by all of EMBO's committees is scientific excellence.

The aspects considered in particular by the EMBO Young Investigator Committee 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, which is an indication of an ability to tackle new and important problems?
  • Research
    • Is the proposed research interesting and realistic?
    • Are the proposed projects a continuation of the applicant's post-doctoral work or do the projects represent independent research themes?
  • Group and Research environment
    • Is the number of laboratory members in the candidate's group sufficient to undertake the described research?
  • Independence
    • Does the candidate enjoy full intellectual and financial independence to conduct the research as described? One of the aim of the selection committee is to identify bright young scientists in locations outside the well known centres of excellence.

All applicants will be informed of the results via email.

Benefits

In addition to the broad exposure and enhanced reputation that association with the programme brings, membership offers the following benefits:

 

Annual EMBO Young Investigator Meeting

The meeting facilitates networking amongst Young Investigators, Installation Grantees and EMBL group leaders. All programme members are invited to participate. Meetings take place at the EMBL, and every third year in a programme member’s institute.
The 2009 meeting will be held from 13-15 May 2009 at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mentorship by an EMBO Member

An EMBO Member chosen by the programme members serves as his/her mentor. EMBO provides funds towards an annual visit. The mentor gives advice on research projects and promotes the mentee's invitation to relevant conferences. Initially the mentee invites their mentor for a visit to their institute.

Please read the Travel Guidelines and use the Travel Expense Claim Form for travel claims (see box to the right).

Financial support for networking with other programme members or EMBL group leaders

The Young Investigator Programme supports collaborations between programme group members or between programme member groups and EMBL groups. The collaboration can take the form of visits, student exchanges or joint group meetings.
Please send an email to yip @ embo.org with a short description of the nature of the proposed collaboration and proposed budget. On completion of the collaboration fill in the Networking Report Form (see box to the right).

Access to core facilities at EMBL

EMBL has granted the EMBO Young Investigators access to its core facilities at the same rates as the EMBL group leaders. If you are interested in any of the services, please contact the EMBL core facility leaders directly. Some restrictions may apply due to internal policies. EMBO supports visits within the framework of its networking support.
EMBL core facilities exist for Advanced Light Microscopy, Genomics, Proteomics, Protein Expression and Purification, Electron Microscopy, Flow Cytometry, Monoclonal Antibody and Chemical Biology.

Support for lectures given by EMBO Young Investigators at international events

The Programme aims to raise the profile of its members via their association with EMBO and its membership. To support and promote the active participation of EMBO Young Investigators at national and international meetings, the programme will support an EMBO Young Investigator as lecturer at international meetings:

• Meeting organizers who wish to invite a Young Investigator to give a lecture can apply for sponsorship.

• Young Investigators who are organizing a meeting and plan to invite another member of the programme as a speaker can apply for sponsorship.

Programme members are eligible for sponsorship until one year after the expiration of their regular membership.
If you want to be sponsored as an EMBO Young Investigator lecturer, please send us an email. We will contact the organizers with the offer.
This sponsorship is only available for EMBO Young Investigators.

Sectoral meetings

Programme membership currently exceeds 200 including past members and Installation Grantees. This allows the formation of focus groups such as in neurobiology, immunology, plant biology or DNA repair. These groups organize meetings and symposia tailored to various requirements and formats funded by EMBO. 
Should you wish organizing such an event, please contact the EMBO Young Investigator office.

Laboratory Management Courses tailored to scientists' needs

The EMBO Young Investigator Programme has developed leadership training for scientist. The basic course address issues of staff selection, leadership, effective problem solving and communication. Advanced leadership courses treat particular issues in depth, such as coaching, managing lab conflicts, time and self-management and programme management.
Courses are offered throughout the year and are free of charge for programme members. Travel costs are not covered.

Annual PhD course for Young Investigator PhD students

Programme members annually organize a course for their PhD students, to give them an opportunity to experience the scientific diversity and resources assembled within the membership of the programme.
Each year a group of Young Investigators gets together to plan this course. It is mainly taught by programme members. Students from all Young Investigator and Installation Grantee laboratories (present or past) are invited to apply for participation.
The week-long course hosts 36 students and includes scientific lectures, tutorials, student research presentations, poster sessions, grant writing and paper review exercises.
Participation fees for students are covered by EMBO.

Support for Young Investigator group members

Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau
EMBO covers registration fees and accommodation (an overall value of 1000 euro) for selected Young Investigator/Installation Grantees PhD students and post docs. The Young Investigator host laboratory is expected to cover travel costs. EMBO is billed directly for those costs. Students/post docs have to apply for support with the EMBO Young Investigator office.

Nature Source Event
EMBO covers registration fees (75 euro) and supports travel up to a total sum of 200 euro per selected student/post doc. Students/post docs have to apply for support with the EMBO Young Investigator office. Participants are reimbursed after the event using the Travel Expense Claim Form (see box to the right).

The EMBO Meeting
EMBO covers registration fees for eight Young Investigators/Installation Grantee PhD students. Apply for support with the EMBO Young Investigator office (2009 meeting already filled).

Annual advert in Nature for PhD and post doc positions in EMBO Young Investigator laboratories

Programme members are invited to post PhD or post doc positions available in their laboratories in an annual advert in the magazine 'Nature' outlining the position offered.
The one-page advert is posted once per year (October/November) and is supported also by a web-page on the EMBO web-site detailing the position offered.

Annual award of 15,000 euro annually from individual EMBC Member States

EMBO Young Investigators receive an award of 15,000 euro per year for the three years of their membership. The award may be paid either via EMBO or via the Member State directly, depending on the arrangement with the hosting Member State.
Please request further information from us regarding the distribution.
The following Member States have agreed to pay the monetary award: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Free subscription to EMBO reports for one year and the opportunity to submit a review

Young Investigators are invited to submit a review for publication in EMBO reports. Free subscription to EMBO reports and free online access to EMBO reports and The EMBO Journal for one year are automatically provided.
Please note - Should you not receive a copy of EMBO reports, please contact the EMBO Young Investigator office.

EMBO Young Investigator booklet including profiles, research summaries and contact details

A booklet featuring each member of the programme is compiled and distributed annually. It includes profiles, research summaries and contact details of all current programme members. It is distributed to over 2500 scientists, national and international granting agencies and ministries to increase the awareness of these excellent young scientists.
See full list of downloadable booklets. 
In addition our web site features a searchable database of all Young Investigators and a list of current Young Investigators.

Young Investigator newsletters

We keep in contact with you via an e-newsletter, updating you on upcoming events and deadlines, opportunities within the programme and news on other programme members.

The Young Investigator Committee
The Young Investigator selection process is carried out by a committee comprising ten EMBO Members expert in different areas of research. Committee members are appointed by EMBO Council, taking into consideration gender and nationality balance.
The committee is responsible for the pre-screening and selection. The final selections are done during a two-day meeting of the committee taking into consideration all application documents and the interview reports.
Diverse composition of the committee and turnover ensures that all decisions are made solely on scientific grounds.