EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships: Contracts and Eligibility
Fellowships are a form of non-profit aid, and EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships is one such program. In this article, we will explore the details of this fellowship and how to apply for it.
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
EMBO provides funding to institutions in EMBC Member States to offer employment contracts to EMBO Fellows. For Fellows working outside these states, a stipend is provided.
Duration
Typically, EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships last for two years, but shorter durations can be requested. The minimum duration for a fellowship is one year, and Fellows are required to begin within a year from the relevant evaluation cut-off date.
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships Contract
EMBO provides funds to the host institution to cover employment contract expenses for the grant recipient. This includes social contributions, taxes, and the recipient’s net salary. However, it does not cover bench fees, overhead costs, or additional benefits for the host supervisor or institute.
Additional Benefits
1. Childcare Allowance: Fellows with children under six years old can be reimbursed for childcare expenses, up to 2,500 euros per child per fellowship year.
2. Relocation Allowance: This covers travel expenses for the fellow and their family, with a maximum of 5,000 euros for the journey to and from the host institute.
3. Dependent Child Allowance: EMBO Fellows receive an allowance for dependent children below 18, the amount varying by the fellowship location.
4. Parental Leave: Fellows who become parents during their fellowship can take a three-month paid parental leave. An extension of the fellowship for the same duration is available for those who choose parental leave.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Applicants must have a doctoral degree or its equivalent at the start of the fellowship.
2. Those with a Ph.D. at the time of application must have earned it within the two years preceding the application date.
3. At the time of application, candidates must have at least one first-author publication accepted or published in an international peer-reviewed journal.
4. All applications require a transition between countries, with mobility details outlined in the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship guidelines.
5. Candidates who have started work in the host laboratory can apply if their tenure there is less than six months at the time of application.
6. Each candidate may submit one application for one project at one host laboratory in each selection round.
7. Reapplication is permitted only once.
Application Deadlines
1. Spring Assessment: Applications received by 2:00 PM Central European Time on the second Friday of February. Results are announced by the end of May or early June.
2. Autumn Assessment: Applications submitted by 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time on the second Friday of August. Outcomes are disclosed by the end of November or the beginning of December.
For further details, please refer to the funder’s website.
FAQs
What are EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships?
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are prestigious awards designed to support talented researchers in the life sciences by providing funding for advanced postdoctoral research. These fellowships aim to help scientists broaden their expertise, work in leading laboratories across Europe and beyond, and build strong international collaborations to advance their careers.
What type of contract do EMBO Postdoctoral Fellows receive?
Fellows awarded the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship generally receive an employment contract from the host institution rather than a stipend. This ensures they have access to employee benefits such as health insurance, social security, and pension contributions, depending on the country’s regulations. The fellowship provides funds to cover the fellow’s salary and research-related costs.
Who is eligible to apply for an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship?
To be eligible, applicants must have obtained a PhD in the life sciences or a related field before the start of the fellowship. They must also have no more than two years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application. Additionally, applicants must choose a host laboratory in a country different from the one where they obtained their PhD, to encourage mobility and knowledge exchange.
Are there restrictions on host institutions for EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Yes, applicants are expected to conduct their research at a host institution in an EMBC Member State, an EMBC Associate Member State, or a country or territory covered by a cooperation agreement. The host laboratory should provide an excellent research environment with the resources and mentorship needed to ensure the success of the fellowship.
