The EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships support outstanding postdoctoral researchers pursuing life science research. These fellowships encourage international mobility and provide financial assistance and networking opportunities for up to two years.

Key Benefits

The EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship offers several significant benefits to successful applicants. Fellows receive a salary or stipend to cover living expenses during their research. A relocation allowance is provided to assist with the costs of moving to the host laboratory.

Additional support is available for fellows with children, helping to balance family responsibilities with research careers. Awardees also have the opportunity to attend an EMBO Laboratory Leadership course, enhancing their management and leadership skills. Furthermore, fellows become part of the prestigious global network of EMBO Fellows, fostering collaborations and career advancement.

EMBO considers a first author refereed preprint equivalent to a first author publication as one of the eligibility and assessment criteria for the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship, applicants must meet specific criteria. International mobility is a key requirement. Applicants should not have worked in the host laboratory for more than six months at the time of application. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent in a relevant field of life sciences.

Applicants need to demonstrate a strong track record of research excellence. This is typically evidenced by first-author publications or refereed preprints. The host laboratory must be located in an EMBC Member State or an EMBO cooperating country.

• Applicants should check the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships guidelines for detailed eligibility information.

Application Process

Applications for the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are accepted throughout the year. The next cutoff date, which is a hard deadline, is Friday, 11 July 2025, 14:00 CEST. It is crucial to submit all required documents before this deadline.

The application process involves completing an online application form. Applicants must provide a detailed research proposal outlining their planned research project. Letters of recommendation from previous supervisors are also required.

Starting 2026 the Spring round submission deadline will be on the fourth Friday of January, 14:00 CET.

Selection and Research Integrity

The selection process is highly competitive and based on research excellence and the potential impact of the proposed research. Applications are reviewed by the EMBO Fellowship Committee, composed of leading scientists in the life sciences.

EMBO places a strong emphasis on research integrity. Applicants are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in their research. Any concerns about research misconduct will be thoroughly investigated.

Successful candidates will be notified of their award and provided with detailed information on the terms and conditions of the fellowship.

Contact Information

For general inquiries, applicants can contact the EMBO fellowships team via email at fellowships@embo.org. Specific program contacts include Karin Dumstrei (Programme Head), Elsie Chan and Rasool (Programme Officers), and Kate Le Vézouët (Programme Assistant). Their contact numbers are listed above.

For more specific questions, applicants can contact Daniele Viarisio (Senior Programme Officer) at +49 6221 8891 502.

Applicants should consult the Postdoctoral Fellowships guidelines (May 2025) for comprehensive information.