The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) provides various scholarship and support programmes for scientists working in the field of life sciences. These programmes, which are financed by the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) Member States and EMBO/EMBC global partners, provide grant, accommodation and networking support to the researchers.
EMBO Installation Grants, which was initiated by the EMBO Strategic Development Installation Grant Board in 2006, supports researchers working in the field of life sciences in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories to continue their scientific studies as group leaders in the participating countries and offers them scientific networking opportunities. Researchers in some EMBC Member States (Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Türkiye) can benefit from this grant.
Between 2007 and 2025, 169 researchers from the participating countries have benefited from this grant and among them, 44 researchers have established their laboratories in Turkey. Please find information about all researchers who benefited from EMBO Installation Grants to establish their laboratories in Türkiye here.
Eligibility:
Negotiating a full-time group leader position at an institute or university in a participating country (Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Türkiye) by the date of application or having established a research group in one of these countries within 2 years of the application deadline (no earlier than 15 April 2024)*;
Carrying out research in the field of life sciences and related to EMBO subject areas;
Having received their PhD within 9 years of the application deadline (no earlier than 2017);
Having spent at least 2 consecutive years outside of the country in which they are planning to establish their research group within the last 4 years (between 2022 to 2026);
Attending an online interview with the selection committee is required.
* The limit of 4 years since independence can be extended for exceptional circumstances such as parental leave, illness, military service, being a clinical scientist. The candidates whose circumstances may warrant an extension of the eligibility period should contact the EMBO Young Investigator Programme Office (yip@embo.org) before applying. There is no age limit for candidates to the programme.
Please find the detailed information about eligibility here.
Benefits:
Grantees receive an annual grant of 50,000 euros for 3 to 5 years and they may also apply for small grants of up to 10,000 Euros per year.
The grantees are provided access to EMBO scientific networking events and grants for organizing conferences.
The grantees are provided mentorship by an EMBO member and their participation in EMBO Laboratory Leadership Courses is supported.
The grantees are provided access to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Core Facilities.
Please find the detailed information about benefits here.
Application and Selection:
Applications must be made directly to EMBO through the application system.
Applications are accepted once a year and the application deadline is 15 April annually.
Please find the detailed information about the programme here and application guidelines here.
Additional Information and Contact Details:
Researchers who have already established a research group and are engaging in active research are encouraged to check out the EMBO Young Investigator Programme, which offers the researchers grant support and scientific networking opportunities that can significantly improve their careers.
Please find the detailed information about the EMBO scholarships and grants from the official EMBO programme website or from the TÜBİTAK EMBO programme website.
Please click here and here to watch the video recordings for online training days that were held on 16 and 17 October 2025 to promote successful applications to the scholarships and grants provided by the EMBO.
If you would like to get updates about the EMBO scholarships and grants, please subscribe to our newsletter here.
Please send your questions about EMBO Installation Grant to yip@embo.org or embo@tubitak.gov.tr e-mail addresses.
