The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) today announced the selection of 21 of Europe’s most talented young researchers as 2010 beneficiaries of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme.
Now in its eleventh year, the programme annually identifies some of the most promising European young researchers at a critical stage of their scientific careers. Young group leaders receive a range of benefits designed to smooth the transition during the start up of their first independent research laboratories. EMBO Members – themselves recognised for their excellence in research – select the group leaders to join the programme each year.
The title, EMBO Young Investigator, is highly sought by young researchers due to the programme’s reputation for excellence. The programme received 137 applications this year and successful recipients have established research groups in Belgium, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
“EMBO Young Investigators gain financial, academic and practical support,” explains Gerlind Wallon, EMBO Deputy Director and manager of the Young Investigator Programme. “The programme helps to endorse and promote these young scientists as active and recognised contributors to European research.”
Over the course of three years, EMBO Young Investigators will enjoy benefits not always readily available to young group leaders. Lab management and non-scientific skills training as well as PhD courses offer the young group leaders and their students the chance to develop professional skills. Networking events introduce them to recognised leaders in science like EMBO Members and other experts in their fields.
The 21 young group leaders honoured this year participate in the EMBO Young Investigator network – a group of almost 250 scientists. “The increasing number of participants each year makes the benefits of networking more tangible and concrete,” adds Gerlind Wallon.
The network also organizes specialised meetings in diverse fields of molecular biology. Meetings – such as those for young investigators working on cell polarity or neurobiology – provide a platform to start new collaborations or exchange PhD students between labs.
EMBO Young Investigators receive 15,000 euros per year directly from the member state where their laboratories are located. Additional support is provided by EMBO for networking activities and small research projects in their laboratories. The distinction as an EMBO Young Investigator often assists young group leaders to attract additional sources of funding for their research.
2010 EMBO YOUNG INVESTIGATORS
Eugene Berezikov, Netherlands
Marc Bühler, Switzerland
Jason Carroll, United Kingdom
Davide Corona, Italy
Oliver Daumke, Germany
André Fischer, Germany
Stephan Grill, Germany
Robert Klose, United Kingdom
David Komander, United Kingdom
Fyodor Kondrashov, Spain
Ben Lehner, Spain
Taija Makine, United Kingdom
Beatriz Rico, Spain
Silvio Rizzoli, Germany
Matthias Selbach, Germany
Bruno Silva-Santos, Portugal
Amos Tanay, Israel
Madalena Tarsounas, United Kingdom
Aurelio Teleman, Germany
Kevin Verstrepen, Belgium
Daniel Wilson, Germany
The next application deadline is 1 April 2011. More information can be found from the European Molecular Biology Organization.
