the fast-paced and evolving landscape of molecular biology, transformative discoveries often begin at the edge of convention. The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) addresses this crucial phase in a scientist’s career by offering the New Venture Fellowships—a unique, short-term funding initiative designed to empower early-career researchers to explore new, untested scientific directions.
The EMBO New Venture Fellowships provide early-career life scientists with the opportunity to pursue innovative and cross-disciplinary research. With flexible funding and international mobility support, this program fosters creativity and scientific independence, empowering researchers to gain new skills and explore bold research directions outside their current environment.
Structured to promote intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary learning, and strategic international collaboration, the fellowship aims to support emerging scientists in developing novel research skills and partnerships. As stated by EMBO, the initiative is intended to “support visits to laboratories to explore new directions in research”.
Whether you are nearing the completion of your PhD or have recently embarked on your postdoctoral journey, this program offers a distinctive opportunity to redefine your scientific trajectory.
What Is the EMBO New Venture Fellowship?
The EMBO New Venture Fellowship is a short-term, travel-based fellowship tailored for early-career scientists in the life sciences. The program funds research stays in host laboratories, allowing fellows to step outside their primary research projects to explore new techniques, novel methodologies, or unconventional hypotheses.
This initiative is designed for researchers eager to break away from routine and immerse themselves in intellectually challenging and diverse environments. It facilitates not just scientific skill-building, but also broader academic growth through cross-disciplinary collaboration and international networking.
Purpose of the Fellowship: Fostering Scientific Boldness
The principal aim of the EMBO New Venture Fellowships is to provide early-career researchers with the resources and freedom to pursue high-risk, high-reward scientific questions that lie outside their current scope.
This program encourages participants to:
- Gain expertise in new techniques or analytical approaches not available at their home institutions
- Cultivate interdisciplinary partnerships
- Investigate unconventional or emerging research themes
- Strengthen their profiles for competitive postdoctoral or independent research grants
By removing institutional and geographic limitations, the program helps scientists develop the autonomy and cross-institutional collaboration skills crucial for long-term career development.
Why the EMBO Fellowship Is Distinctive
Unlike many traditional fellowships that prioritize defined outcomes and long-term research commitments, the EMBO New Venture Fellowship offers unparalleled flexibility and intellectual freedom. It enables fellows to test novel ideas with minimal bureaucratic constraints.
Here’s what makes this program especially impactful:
- Short duration with immediate impact: Fellows can take a break from their current work to enrich their skills or test pilot ideas.
- Targeted for transition phases: Ideal for researchers between doctoral completion and long-term postdoctoral roles.
- Cross-border collaboration: Encourages international lab visits, fostering global perspectives and partnerships.
In essence, the fellowship acts as a career catalyst, offering emerging researchers the opportunity to pivot or accelerate their trajectory at a critical professional stage.
Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?
To ensure fair access and alignment with the program’s mission, EMBO has defined clear eligibility criteria:
Applicant Profile
- PhD students in their final year, or
- Postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD within the last two years
Research Domain
- Applicants must be engaged in the life sciences, including fields such as:
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Cell biology
- Systems biology
- Structural biology
Residency Requirements
- Applicants must be based in an EMBC Member State at the time of application.
- The host laboratory can be in any country, offering flexibility to identify the most suitable host institution for the intended research.
This inclusive framework supports a wide range of candidates while maintaining scientific excellence and international collaboration.
Funding Details and Financial Support
The EMBO New Venture Fellowship provides a lump sum grant of up to €3,500, intended to cover:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation and subsistence costs for the duration of the research visit
However, this fellowship does not fund salaries, bench fees, or consumables. It is a mobility grant, and the financial support is structured to encourage lean, efficient planning of short-term research stays.
For researchers looking for strategic yet minimal funding to initiate new ventures or conduct exploratory work, this model is both practical and effective.
Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The EMBO New Venture Fellowship application process is designed for clarity and accessibility. Here is what prospective applicants need to prepare:
Required Documents
- Project Proposal (maximum 2 pages)
- Clearly outline the research goals, the rationale for the visit, and expected outcomes.
- Justify how the host lab complements your current expertise.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Include academic background, current position, and list of publications.
- Letters of Recommendation
- One letter from your current supervisor or institution
- One letter from the host lab, confirming the willingness to host and relevance of the proposed work
Submission and Review
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Decision outcomes are typically communicated within 6 weeks of submission.
This fast-track evaluation process ensures minimal delays and maximizes applicant readiness for travel and collaboration.
Professional Advantages of the Fellowship
Beyond the immediate academic benefits, EMBO New Venture Fellows gain a wide range of long-term advantages:
- Enhanced research credentials for postdoctoral or independent investigator roles
- Access to international research networks
- Exposure to innovative methodologies
- Potential for long-term institutional collaborations
Many fellows leverage this experience to strengthen future grant applications, apply for faculty positions, or pursue co-authored publications based on the work initiated during their fellowship.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted directly through EMBO’s official website. Before applying, carefully review the guidelines and prepare all documents in the required format.
Conclusion
In a research ecosystem where creativity and innovation are essential but often underfunded, the EMBO New Venture Fellowships provide a timely intervention. They support a generation of scientists eager to test new ideas, develop fresh skills, and form global networks of collaboration.
The program’s emphasis on flexibility, innovation, and accessibility sets it apart from traditional fellowships. As such, it serves as a vital stepping stone for early-career researchers with bold aspirations in the life sciences.
For those ready to take a calculated risk and broaden their scientific horizons, this fellowship offers the perfect platform.
As noted by EMBO, “Supporting researchers at pivotal moments in their careers leads to long-term impact in science and society”.
Program Snapshot
Feature | Details |
Program Name | EMBO New Venture Fellowships |
Host Country | Any (flexible, depending on host institution) |
Funded By | EMBO |
Duration | Up to 3 months |
Study Mode | Full-time, in-person |
Eligibility | Final-year PhD students or postdocs |
Financial Support | Lump sum of up to €3,500 for travel and subsistence |
Fields of Study | Life Sciences (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics) |
Deadline | Rolling (next cycle likely to open in October 2025 — we will update soon) |
Official Website |
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
The EMBO New Venture Fellowship funds short-term research visits for early-career scientists exploring new skills or directions in life sciences.
PhD students in their final year and postdocs within two years of PhD completion are eligible to apply.
The fellowship offers a lump sum of up to €3,500 for travel and subsistence during the research stay.
Yes, applicants based in EMBC Member States can apply to visit labs anywhere in the world.
You need a two-page project proposal, CV, and support letters from your current and host institutions.
The fellowship supports research visits of up to three months.
There is no fixed deadline; applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Yes, the fellowship encourages interdisciplinary exploration and acquiring skills outside your current focus.
No, the fellowship only covers travel and living costs, not bench fees or salaries.
EMBO typically responds within six weeks after you submit a complete application.
