One of the core missions of EMBO is to grow and connect talents. Over the years, one of the EMBO flagship funding programmes, the Fellowship Programme, has been nurturing the next generation of science leaders. We asked Karin Dumstrei, head of the programme, to tell us more.
Karin, tell us a few things about the programme.
I had the pleasure of taking over the leadership of this programme in 2023, but the EMBO Fellowship Programme has a long history. It was established in 1966 with the specific aim to support and enhance interactions between scientists across Europe. To fulfil this purpose, the programme offers two different fellowships: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships and Scientific Exchange Grants. EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are targeted to postdoctoral researchers and offer two-year funding to conduct research abroad. EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants are available to scientists at all career stages to support international short-term research visits between laboratories to promote collaborations and exchange of knowledge. For both fellowships, international mobility is a requirement.
What is the current footprint of the Fellowship Programme?
Both fellowships are extremely popular, and we have in recent years seen an increase in the number of applications. This is a testament to the importance and recognition of the fellowships, but unfortunately this also means that we have to decline very good applications due to budget constraints, which is our least favourite part of the job.
The Fellowship Programme has had a big impact both for the awardees and for European life sciences in general. The programme currently awards around 160 EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships and over 300 Scientific Exchange Grants per year. It is amazing to consider the large number of international research stays and collaborations that the programme has funded since its beginnings in 1966. The programme has continued to evolve over the years, but it still stays true to its original mission, which is to support and enhance interactions between scientists across borders.
What makes the programme so popular, beyond the financial support?
I often hear from EMBO Members or Young Investigators “I was previously an EMBO Fellow” and how important this recognition was for them and their career. While the monetary funding is of course vital, it is also the personal recognition that the Fellowship Committee and the EMBO community at large recognize their potential. The two-year financial support provided to EMBO Fellows also enables them to set up their own research projects and gives them the freedom to start their own scientific research trajectory.
The collaborative scientific footprint of the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants is large as we fund more than 300 international research visits per year. The vast majority of applications is from PhD students; and it is usually one of their first opportunities to apply for their own funding and importantly to experience life and research in another country. According to their feedback, this opportunity gives them confidence, boosts their scientific career and expands their scientific horizon. I believe and hope that this programme stimulates the scientific curiosity of younger scientists who are starting out their research careers.
How has the programme evolved in recent years?
With the team and colleagues at EMBO, we strive to keep the programmes and schemes relevant, intercepting the needs of the communities we serve. In the Fellowship Programme, we have in recent years worked on expanding what we offer to maximise the impact on career development and scientific output.
On training and development, our fellows have the option of attending courses provided by EMBO Lab Leadership and EMBO Press editors.
On networking, last year we launched a platform where active and alumni EMBO Fellows can engage and connect with one another to promote networking and scientific collaborations. Via the networking platform we also offer online mentorship webinars hosted by members of the Scientific Exchange Grants Advisory Board who provide guidance and answer questions on how to navigate career paths. These webinars are highly popular. They provide an informal forum where fellows can ask questions and receive feedback from previous EMBO Fellows who have been in a similar situation not so long ago.
Two years into this role, what do you find rewarding and motivational?
To see the amazing science that the programme funds and to interact with so many excellent scientists is a highlight of my job. Also, the engagement and commitment of the Fellowship Committee and Scientific Exchange Grants Advisory Board in the evaluation of applications is something very special to experience. This is where you see the expertise and knowledge of the EMBO community coming together to nurture the future generations of science leaders.
But the biggest motivation for me and the team is to engage with EMBO Fellows and Scientific Exchange Grantees, and to see that the programme has an important impact on their development and their careers. For us to play a part in this and to do what we can to make their scientific research experience as positive as possible is an amazing opportunity.
