EMBO Members

For the 2024 election EMBO Members and EMBO Associate Members may exceptionally propose or support the nomination of a maximum of four (4) candidates for EMBO Membership. 

The proposer must complete the online nomination form for the proposed candidate naming exactly four (4) additional members who will support the nomination. The supporting members (sponsors) must confirm their support by sending an email to the EMBO Membership Office at . A nomination is valid for one election round.

At least three of the five members nominating or supporting a candidate must reside in a country other than that of the nominee.

Nominations must be initiated, written and completed by the EMBO Member who acts as the proposer. It is preferable that nominees are not aware of their nomination.

Arguments supporting a candidate’s election should be made only on the nomination form; EMBO Members should not participate in campaigns or other activities that are intended to influence the outcome of the election in a way that is not transparent to all other members.

EMBO Council determines annually the number of EMBO Members to be elected in a given year. This is normally one-third of the number of nominations received, but not more than 50. The top 50% are elected directly by the EMBO Membership. The remaining 50% are selected by EMBO Council following a thorough review by the Membership Committee.

EMBO Members may vote for as many candidates as are to be elected directly, which is typically around 30. Associate EMBO Members do not have the right to vote.

Those candidates who were not elected directly are evaluated by the respective experts in the Membership Committee. The primary criterion for consideration by the committee is scientific excellence. The committee also takes into account geographic factors, small or emerging research fields, gender and special contributions to the scientific community. The Membership Committee submits a list of candidates recommended for selection as new EMBO Members to EMBO Council.

EMBO Council is guided by the votes of the membership and the recommendations of the EMBO Membership Committee when selecting new EMBO Members who were not directly elected.

Non-elected candidates who received more than 90% of the votes of the last directly elected candidate will be carried over to next year’s election. Their proposers will be informed accordingly. Candidates who were carried over do not count towards the maximum number of candidates to be nominated/sponsored by the proposer/sponsors in the next election.

Candidates may also be re-nominated, in which case the proposer will have to submit the nomination form again.

EMBO Associate Members are eminent scientists who normally reside in countries other than the EMBC Member States, or reside in EMBC Associate Member States, and who have made outstanding contributions to the life sciences. Special consideration is given to scientists who are in a strategic position to help promote the goals of EMBO outside the EMBC Member States.

EMBO Council determines annually the number of associate members to be elected in a given year. This is typically between 10% and 15% of the number of nominations for associate membership. 

For the 2024 election EMBO Members and EMBO Associate Members may exceptionally propose or support two (2) candidates for associate membership. A nomination is valid for one election round.

The proposer must complete an online nomination form for the proposed candidate naming exactly four (4) additional EMBO Members or EMBO Associate Members who will support the nomination. The supporting members must confirm their support by sending an email to the EMBO Membership Office at .

At least three of the five members nominating or supporting a candidate must reside in a country other than that of the nominee.

Nominations must be initiated, written and completed by the member who acts as the proposer. It is preferable that nominees are not aware of their nomination.

Arguments supporting a candidate’s election should be made only on the nomination form; EMBO Members should not participate in campaigns or other activities that are intended to influence the outcome of the election in a way that is not transparent to all other members.

EMBO Members may vote for as many candidates for associate membership as they wish. Associate members do not have the right to vote.

After the membership election, the Membership Committee reviews the list of candidates for associate membership and compiles a shortlist.

EMBO Council selects candidates as associate members guided by the votes of the membership and the recommendations of the EMBO Membership Committee.

Candidates for associate membership can be carried over for election in the following year upon recommendation by EMBO Council.