About
recognize & foster talented scientists
The European Molecular Biology Organization promotes excellence in molecular life sciences. EMBO recognizes leading researchers, disseminates information and fosters talented scientists - empowering them to understand how life works and contribute knowledge to address the challenges of a changing world.
The principles that guide our work today remain consistent with the remarkable foresight of the small group of scientists who founded EMBO in 1964 to serve, what was then, the emerging discipline of molecular biology. It is these principles that ensure the highest scientific standards and promote cross-border exchange and collaborative research in all our activities. We work closely with the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) 
, our inter-governmental funding body, to implement the programme of activities supported by the 27 member states across Europe and neighbouring countries.
Over the years, EMBO and many from our community have played important roles in disseminating the concepts and approaches of molecular biology. Today, molecular biology pervades almost all areas of biological research including applied disciplines such as medical research, plant breeding and agriculture.
Recognizing leading researchers
"...projects and persons be chosen, regardless of nationality, and all activities be guided by scientific excellence, coupled with usefulness to molecular biology."
Since EMBO began in 1964, we have recognized scientific excellence. EMBO was founded with the nomination of 200 scientists renowned for their excellence in research and outstanding contributions to what was then still the fledgling discipline of molecular biology. Ever since, the membership has grown year on year to include many of the most eminent researchers of the day – 53 honoured as Nobel Laureates – in what is now an established field yielding benefits for many in areas such as healthcare and agriculture.
Today, more than 1400 leading life scientists in Europe and worldwide add the life-long honour of EMBO membership to their credentials. For many, it’s about more than the recognition – it’s the chance to access other thought leaders in the broad discipline of molecular biology. And it’s the opportunity to influence the direction of life science research in Europe and neighbouring countries. Members guide the execution of the many EMBO initiatives offered to scientists. Many EMBO Members participate formally as part of Committees or on the EMBO Council.
Rigorous selection processes with scientific excellence as the sole-determining factor result in young postdocs and group leaders who aspire to earn the titles of EMBO Fellow and EMBO Young Investigator respectively. EMBO Installation Grants recognize the best young group leaders to establish laboratories in countries where research cultures and infrastructure are still developing.
Annual awards, such as the EMBO Gold Medal, reward the significant contributions of European researchers to the advancement of science.
Disseminating information, ideas and concepts
Providing forums for sharing such new information, ideas and concepts is a founding tenet of EMBO.
EMBO Courses & Workshops – a core programme since our early days – facilitates just this type of scientific exchange by assisting researchers to organize practical courses, workshops and conferences to inform other scientists of the latest techniques and findings.
In the 1980’s, The EMBO Journal started up to publish and broadly disseminate the latest peer-reviewed molecular biology research into the scientific community. Today, three more publications - EMBO reports, Molecular Systems Biology and EMBO Molecular Medicine – span a broad spectrum of topics of molecular biology and reflect how science is shaping the world.
Most recently, the introduction of an annual conference, The EMBO Meeting, presents researchers with a European forum for scientific exchange that advances the life sciences through programmes reflecting the concepts and high-resolution approaches of modern biological research.
EMBO also contributes knowledge to European science policy-making by monitoring key issues, facilitating debate and offering scientific advice on various issues, challenges and policy options facing the scientific community. Specialists from any number of related disciplines come together through EMBO Science & Society - a programme that creates dialogue for policy makers and public - to discuss and debate key scientific issues with potential societal impact, such as stem cells or the use of animals in research.
One of our key publications, EMBO reports, extends our reach even further into society by offering a monthly forum for discussion of topics related to science policy. Editorial commentaries discuss the social implications for governments, industries, world economies, and the environment.
Thousands of early career scientists have benefited from the funding, support and opportunity for international mobility offered by EMBO Fellowships – a core programme since the foundation of EMBO. Fellows return to their home countries with new skills and contacts for future collaborations. Every year, promising young group leaders in the first years of setting up independent research laboratories may be selected by EMBO Members – themselves recognized for their excellence in research - to become EMBO Young Investigators, tomorrow’s life science leaders. The first programme of its kind in Europe, young investigators receive financial, academic and practical support and participate in a vibrant network of more than 200 young investigators. EMBO Career Development activities offer mobility and career resources to scientists at all career stages. The EMBO Life Sciences Mobility Portal is Europe’s largest free online resource for funding, jobs and training; EMBO Laboratory Management Courses offer necessary career skill training; and EMBO Women in Science monitors and raises awareness of issues facing women scientists. Collaborations with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Joint activities with organizations such as the European Science Foundation (ESF) , European Life Sciences Forum (ELSF) and the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange and dissemination of good practice to shape strategies and specific programmes within the scientific community. and the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) allow more scientists to gain access to quality training and to be recognized for their contributions to molecular life sciences.
