EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants: Eligibility & How to Apply

The EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants support short international research visits that establish new collaborations between laboratories. The programme helps life scientists access expertise, techniques, or research infrastructure that may not be available in their home laboratory.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. EMBO supports eligible research visits lasting 7 to 90 days and contributes towards the fellow’s travel and subsistence costs.

What Are EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants?

The programme is designed for scientists who need to work temporarily in another laboratory to advance research connected with their work at the home institution.

The exchange should involve joint research and establish a new scientific relationship between the home and host laboratories. It may involve transferring a technique, learning a method relevant to an existing research project, or accessing specialised expertise or infrastructure.

Duration:

• Minimum funded duration: 7 days

• Maximum EMBO-funded duration: 90 days

• A visit may continue for up to 180 days in total, but EMBO funds only the first three months.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be active researchers at any career stage and have at least one year of graduate-level research experience or equivalent at the time of application.

This means PhD researchers may apply once they have completed at least one year of graduate-level research experience.

Applicants may be of any nationality, but they must normally work at a university or research institution located in:

• an EMBC Member State; or

• an EMBC/EMBO global partner, including Chile, India, Singapore, or Taiwan.

The home and host laboratories must be located in different countries.

Researchers funded through certain Japan Science and Technology Agency programmes may also be eligible under the applicable programme conditions.

New Collaboration Requirement

A key eligibility condition is that the exchange must establish a new scientific collaboration.

Applications are generally not eligible where the home and host laboratories already have an active or previous collaboration.

Examples that may make an application ineligible include:

• joint research grants;

• co-publications;

• previous exchanges of researchers;

• earlier research visits between the laboratories;

• working with former colleagues;

• returning to a former PhD or postdoctoral supervisor; or

• applying to a laboratory previously visited by the applicant.

Applicants should therefore check the collaboration history between the home and proposed host laboratories before preparing the full application.

Can the Grant Be Used to Learn a New Technique?

Yes, provided the technique is directly relevant to research being conducted in the applicant’s home laboratory.

EMBO may support an exchange focused on learning a technique when that training forms part of the applicant’s ongoing research.

However, the programme does not support attendance at:

• courses;

• workshops; or

• symposia.

The proposed project must also have biological significance. Projects intended purely to develop a product or procedure are not eligible under the current programme guidelines.

Funding and Benefits

EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants contribute towards:

• travel between the home and host laboratories; and

• subsistence during the research visit.

The applicable subsistence amount depends on the destination country.

Funding is provided for the fellow only and does not cover dependants.

The grant does not provide additional funding for:

• visa costs;

• course fees;

• conference travel;

• bench fees; or

• institutional overheads.

Applicants should therefore check whether they will need additional financial support before confirming the visit.

Application Deadline

There is no fixed annual application deadline.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

However, the complete application must be submitted at least 30 days before the proposed start date.

EMBO recommends applying at least three months in advance.

Applications submitted less than 30 days before the proposed visit are not eligible.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the EMBO online application system.

Applications, supporting documents, references, host-institute acceptance, and correspondence must be completed in English.

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Identify a suitable host laboratory and host supervisor.

2. Confirm that the proposed visit satisfies the new-collaboration requirement.

3. Discuss and agree on the research proposal with the host supervisor.

4. Register for an ORCID identifier if you do not already have one.

5. Prepare the required research, career, and funding information.

6. Nominate the required referees.

7. Ensure the host supervisor completes the receiving-institute acceptance.

8. Submit the complete application through the EMBO online system.

The application is considered complete only when all required components have been received.

Application Requirements

The online application requests information including:

• basic CV;

• ORCID ID;

• contact details of referees;

• receiving-institute details;

• host-supervisor details;

• summary of the proposed research;

• summary of the applicant’s current research;

• research proposal;

• publication information;

• relevant funding sources;

• explanation of how the home laboratory will benefit from the exchange; and

• justification for selecting the proposed host laboratory.

Research Proposal

Applicants are required to provide a 200-word summary describing the proposed research and its biological significance.

The detailed research proposal can be up to 1,800 words, excluding references.

The proposal should explain:

• scientific background;

• research objectives;

• work to be carried out at the host laboratory;

• methods or techniques to be used;

• expected scientific contribution;

• timeline for completing the proposed objectives;

• benefit to the home laboratory; and

• justification for selecting the host laboratory.

Up to 15 references may be included.

Figures and tables should not be included in the research proposal.

Referees and Host Acceptance

Most applicants must nominate two referees who are not based at the host institution.

One referee must normally be the applicant’s current supervisor.

Referees submit their confidential assessments through EMBO’s online application system.

Different reference arrangements apply to independent researchers. Such applicants should follow the specific instructions provided in the official EMBO guidelines.

The host supervisor must also complete the receiving-institute acceptance process online.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the required references and host acceptance are submitted as part of the application process.

How Are Applications Evaluated?

Applications first undergo an eligibility and completeness check.

Eligible applications are assessed according to criteria that include:

• quality of the proposed research;

• novelty of the project;

• scientific feasibility;

• suitability of the host laboratory;

• applicant’s CV and research experience;

• scientific benefit of the exchange; and

• expected value of the visit to the home laboratory.

Applicants are normally informed of the decision within approximately three to four months after submission of a complete application.

Important Six-Month Return Requirement

After completing the research visit, the grantee must immediately return to the home laboratory and remain there for at least six consecutive months.

This is an important condition of the programme.

The requirement is intended to ensure that the expertise, methods, or knowledge acquired during the exchange benefit the applicant’s home laboratory.

Final Report and Certificate

Six months after completion of the research visit, the grantee must submit:

• a final report; and

• a signed letter from the home institution confirming that the researcher returned and remained there for at least six consecutive months.

The final report should normally be no more than two pages.

It should summarise:

• research conducted during the visit;

• results obtained;

• techniques or expertise acquired;

• potential future collaboration; and

• possible plans for further work.

The report may include diagrams, charts, or illustrations where appropriate.

After the required documentation has been accepted, EMBO issues a certificate confirming completion of the Scientific Exchange Grant.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Before preparing a detailed proposal, confirm that the proposed host laboratory satisfies the new-collaboration requirement.

A strong application should clearly explain:

• the scientific question being addressed;

• why the proposed visit is necessary;

• why the selected host laboratory is suitable;

• what expertise, technique, or infrastructure the host provides;

• why the research is feasible within the proposed visit;

• how the home laboratory will benefit after the applicant returns; and

• how the exchange may contribute to future scientific collaboration.

Applicants should also contact the host supervisor and referees early so that all required supporting information can be submitted on time.

Applying well before the minimum 30-day period is strongly advisable.

EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants at a Glance

Parameter	Details
Programme	EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants
Field	Life sciences
Applicant Stage	Active researchers at any career stage
Minimum Experience	At least 1 year of graduate-level research or equivalent
Funded Duration	7–90 days
Maximum Total Visit	Up to 180 days; EMBO funds the first 90 days
Funding	Travel contribution and country-based subsistence
Applications	Accepted throughout the year
Minimum Lead Time	30 days before proposed start
Recommended Lead Time	At least 3 months
Decision Timeline	Normally about 3–4 months
Collaboration Requirement	New collaboration required
Application Mode	Online
Application Language	English
Return Requirement	At least 6 consecutive months at the home laboratory

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PhD students apply for EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants?

Yes. PhD researchers can apply after completing at least one year of graduate-level research experience, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can researchers based in India apply?

Yes. India is an EMBC/EMBO global partner. Researchers working at eligible institutions in India may apply, subject to the programme’s other conditions.

Is there a fixed application deadline?

No. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

However, the complete application must be submitted at least 30 days before the proposed visit, and applying approximately three months in advance is recommended.

Does the grant cover visa costs?

No. Visa costs are not covered under the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant.

Can I apply to a laboratory that already collaborates with my home laboratory?

Generally no. The programme is designed to establish new scientific collaborations. Existing or previous collaborations between the laboratories may make the proposed exchange ineligible.

Can the grant be used to learn a specialised research technique?

Yes, provided the technique is directly connected to research being conducted in the applicant’s home laboratory. The programme does not fund participation in courses, workshops, or symposia.

Official Programme

Applicants should review the latest EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants eligibility criteria, application instructions, benefits, and applicant guidelines on the official EMBO website before submitting an application.

Programme requirements can change, so candidates should verify the latest rules before preparing or submitting their application.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)