Science knows no boundaries - this conviction has been one of the driving forces that led to the foundation of EMBO. Accordingly, from the beginning, all EMBO programmes and activities aimed to catalyze cross-border exchange of ideas and knowledge and to spark collaborations within Europe, whereby "Europe was defined widely", including neighbouring countries.
As it is the individual who makes scientific breakthroughs, it is EMBO policy to identify and further directly and indirectly talented scientists and their research, mindful of "...that projects and persons be chosen regardless of nationality and that all activities be guided by scientific excellence..."
Today scientists, the world over, apply for EMBO Fellowships to perform research within Europe just as European researchers are funded to go to the best places abroad. Moreover, to a limited extent the EMBO Courses & Workshops Programme, originally tailored for Europe, reaches beyond Europe as well.
The EMBO Global Exchange Programme, a new initiative, intends to expand the EMBO philosophy of catalysing scientific exchange and fostering talented researchers beyond European borders. It aims specifically at countries that are increasingly committing resources to attain talent, knowledge and skills. Many scientists in these countries are interested in closer ties with life scientists in Europe just as European researchers are interested in more intense exchange with colleagues in the emerging centres of excellence in these countries.
The high scientific standards that EMBO has maintained over more than four decades of its existence are based on principles defined by its founders and maintained by the "Academy" of its members. The EMBO members accompany and guide all EMBO’s programmes and evaluate applications for participation in the various activities.
The expansion of EMBO's philosophy to countries outside of Europe requires therefore the election of eminent colleagues in target countries as EMBO Associate Members. They are expected to be EMBO "ambassadors" in their home country and to engage, like their European colleagues, in setting and maintaining highest scientific standards in all activities of the EMBO Global Exchange Programme.
By applying the principles of EMBO - furthering the talented individual - the EMBO Global Exchange Programme will initiate new and facilitate existing exchange, thereby establishing long lasting co-operations worldwide. Reflecting on the European paradigm such worldwide exchanges and cooperation will generate considerable added value for all partners participating in this endeavour.
In the initial phase the EMBO Global Exchange Programme will focus on India, China, Taiwan and Africa, starting with a series of Lecture Courses for talented PhD students and postdocs. Additionally, EMBO Members and EMBO Young Investigators will present lecture series at local institutes.
The programme emphasizes exchange of scientists and expertise. Leading researchers from target countries will be invited to give lecture series at top institutes in Europe, thereby introducing them to a larger part of the European scientific community and facilitating the formation of scientific links. A focus will be on the identification of candidates for EMBO Associate Membership and those who have already been honoured thus.
Drawing from its European background EMBO has experience in building links to and strengthening scientific communities. EMBO will support meetings that inform scientists from India and China, currently studying and working in Europe, about opportunities to set up competitive research groups and contribute to their local research communities when they return to their home countries.