EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses must take place in EMBC Associate Member State or in countries and territories with which EMBO has signed a cooperation agreement. Applicants who want to organize EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses in other regions of the world should contact Global Activities before applying ( global@embo.org).

Organizers of a Global Exchange Lecture Course can be of any nationality and be based in any country.

EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses must cover a topic from the life sciences, and organizers must provide a convincing justification that the course addresses a need in the local scientific community.

For detailed information on the eligibility criteria, including the format of EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses, please consult the application guidelines (pdf).

Applications for EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses are accepted twice a year and must be submitted through the online system. Organizers are advised to apply as early as possible in the calendar year before the proposed date of the lecture course.

Application process

• The deadlines for applications are 1 March 2018 and 1 August 2018, 14:00 CEST.
• Applicants will be asked to complete an online application form.
• All incoming applications are screened by the EMBO office to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
• The decision on which proposals receive funding is made by the EMBO Course Committee in May and October, respectively. The success rate of applications to the Courses & Workshops Programme is approximately 50%.
• All applicants are informed of the outcome of their application by email shortly after the committee meeting.

Required documentation

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• A list of the organizers
• Proposed title and topic of the lecture course
• Reasons for holding a lecture course on the proposed topic
• Information on any competing or similar meetings held in the current, proposed or following year
• Proposed date and location
• List of proposed speakers/instructors
• Draft programme
• Selection criteria and number of participants
• Draft budget

For detailed information on the application process, key dates and required documentation, please consult the application guidelines.

Selection criteria

EMBO Global Exchange Lecture Courses are aimed at teaching participants, primarily PhD students and post docs, by providing them with background in relevant and timely scientific topics. Underlying concepts of a particular field should be made accessible to participants with varying scientific background.

In addition, the following aspects are considered by the EMBO Course Committee.

Scientific programme

• The programme should feature interesting and original topics or a combination of topics in breadth and depth.

Speakers

• The selected speakers should fully cover the proposed topic.
• A minimum of 50% of the invited speakers should be based in EMBC Member states or in EMBC Associate Member States or from countries and territories covered by a cooperation agreement. Significant biases from certain states should be avoided.
• There should be a balance between leading researchers in the field and early-career researchers as speakers.
• At least 30% of speakers should be women and there should be a geographic balance.
• Speakers should be mostly confirmed.

Networking aspects

• Sufficient time should be dedicated to poster sessions, discussion groups, journal clubs and informal activities.

Organizers

• The group of organizers should be scientifically and geographically diverse.

Location

• The location must be suitable for the planned meeting.

For a detailed list of selection criteria, download our application guidelines.

Selection process

The selection process involves the following steps:

• All incoming applications are screened by the EMBO office to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
• Each application is assigned to and reviewed in depth by at least two members of the EMBO Course Committee.
• The final decision on which proposals receive funding is made by the entire committee at meetings in May and October.
• All applicants are informed of the outcome of their application by email shortly after the committee meeting