About
The EMBO Installation Grants help young scientists to install their independent laboratories in an environment that frequently does not offer true independence to scientists early on. The scheme is expected to strengthen science in participating EMBC Member States. At present applications are accepted from Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Portugal and Turkey.
The scheme is entirely funded by the participating EMBC Member States and successful applicants receive an annual support of 50,000 euro for three to five years and benefits similar to those of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. Each participating country sets an upper limit to the number of grants available per year.
The scheme is administered by the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. Institutions and successful job candidates apply together to gain funding beyond normal start-up packages. The commitment and support of the receiving institute during and beyond the tenure of the grant is regarded as an essential part of the scheme and is meant to ensure continued support of the academic career of the recipient.
EMBO administers the annual distribution of grants to the recipients. Successful applicants are eligible to apply to the EMBO Young Investigator Programme once they meet the requirements.
The EMBO Installation Grants developed through a collaboration with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in support of scientists in Central Europe.
Eligibility
Applicants should:
- have an excellent publication record
- have spent at least two consecutive years outside the country in which they are applying to establish their laboratory. Candidates who have been back in the country for more than two years will not be considered.
- be negotiating a full-time position at an institute/university in participating member states by the date of application, or have recently established a laboratory there.
Further restrictions:
- Candidates who are planning to establish independent laboratories in the country that they are applying for, can be in that country for two years at the time of the deadline.
- Candidates who have already established their independent laboratories in participating countries.must apply within two years of having established their laboratory.
No age limit applies.
Application
Please read the IG Application Guidelines (pdf).
Deadline 15 April each year.
Application forms for the 2012 selection round will be available from February 2012.
Please ensure you download the following updated guidelines
Application process:
Application to the EMBO Installation Grant Programme is via an online application system. There are three application forms, two of which are completed by the individual scientists and one by the receiving institute.
The online form requests general information on the candidate's scientific background, host institution and details of three referees. The completed IG Application Form - which asks for a more detailed CV and project proposal - should be submitted via the online form, by uploading to the relevant section as a PDF. Please read the IG Application Guidelines for full details instructions on how to complete this forms.
Please note - referees names should be added as soon as possible prior to the deadline to ensure the system notifies these scientists in time. You can continue to update your online form until 15 April. Your referees will be automatically contacted by EMBO to submit their letters before the deadline. Letters of reference will only be accepted via the online application system.
We also require a completed receiving institute form. The applying scientist is asked to list a contact at the host institute in their online form. Following the candidate's application, this contact will be sent a link and password by email that allows them to access and complete the receiving institute form online. The institute will also be asked to return a receiving institute confirmation form signed by the head of the institute.
The 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
- detail the offer that is being made to the applicant
NB It is expected that the institute makes the applicant an offer that goes beyond that of a position and laboratory space.
Selection
Selection of EMBO Installation Grant is made by the EMBO Young Investigator Committee.
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 with an EMBO Member expert in their area of research.
Applications are ranked by the Young Investigator Committee by late-autumn. The application and interview report, as well as the offer made by the institute is taken into account by the selection committee. 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.
| Deadline for applications |
15 April |
| Announcement of award |
end of November |
Applicants will be informed of the results via email.
Benefits
EMBO Installation Grantees are integrated the EMBO Young Investigator Programme, which offers a number of unique benefits to support young group leaders in establishing a reputation as excellent scientists. Detailed information can be found here.
An annual financial award of 50,000 euro for three to five years is made available by participating EMBC Member States*. EMBO also offers additional competitively awarded small grants of up to 10,000 euro to programme members.
Networking funds support interactions with other EMBO Young Investigator laboratories or EMBL group members such as joint lab meetings, student exchanges or visits to other programme members' institutes. An annual meeting provides the opportunity to get together. More specialized sectoral meetings are also held by self-organizing scientific interest groups.
Installation grant recipients organizing scientific conferences can also apply for financial support for their meeting. Other features that aim to raise the profile of EMBO Young Investigators include invitation to the EMBO Members' Workshop and publication of a programme booklet, which is sent out to over 2,500 addresses including both national and international funding agencies.
The Young Investigator Programme supports the career development of its members by offering to pair young investigators and installation grantees with EMBO Members as their mentors. Laboratory management courses also offer training in essential management skills.
Access to EMBL Core Facilities, and an annual one-page advert in Nature for vacancies in young investigator laboratories help support installation grantees' laboratories.
An annual PhD course provides PhD students working in the installation grantees' labs with a broad overview of the biological sciences. Grants are also offered to support group members attending meetings or courses.
Former members of the programme are invited to participate in some of the networking activities, including the annual young investigator and sectoral meetings. They remain part of a prestigious network of current and former young investigators and installation grantees that exceeds 290 members.
*List of participating Member: Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Turkey
