EMBO Fellowships: career booster for young researchers
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) offers postdoctoral fellowships and other support instruments to young researchers. Many recipients of an EMBO Fellowship conduct their postdoctoral research at a Swiss institution. One such recipient is neurobiologist Gloria Colombo.
13.02.2025
The EMBO is a research organisation that has been around for sixty years. It promotes excellence in the life sciences and supports talented young researchers. The EMBO provides funding to candidates who make it through the competitive selection process. Fellowship recipients carry out a two-year postdoctoral project in a country other than where they did their doctoral thesis. While the EMBO also has other support instruments, the postdoctoral fellowship is its most important one. EMBO Fellowships absorb around 70% of the EMBO's total annual budget of roughly EUR 30 million.
A win for Switzerland
Switzerland derives a benefit from this funding since a relatively high proportion of fellowship holders choose to conduct their research in Switzerland. Between 2019 and 2023, 921 postdoctoral fellowships were funded by the EMBO. Of these, 142 conducted their research at a Swiss institution, which corresponds to 15% of the total number of EMBO postdoctoral fellowships awarded. These fellowships enable Swiss institutions to attract highly talented researchers who, through their work, continue to maintain Switzerland's high level of performance and appeal as a research location.
One of these talented researchers is Italian neurobiologist Gloria Colombo. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Technology and Science Austria in Vienna and in January 2023 she started an EMBO-funded postdoctoral project at the University of Lausanne. In this interview, she reveals what the EMBO Fellowship allows her to do and why she came to Switzerland for her project.
What is your project about, and what’s potentially the impact of your research?
Dr. Gloria Colombo: My research focuses on how brain immune cells, called microglia, respond to ischemic stroke, a condition where blood flow to the brain is blocked, causing tissue damage. After a stroke, the brain environment changes dramatically: oxygen and nutrients suddenly decrease, while lactate, a molecule for long seen as a simple waste product, starts to build up. However, lactate may actually play a key role in helping microglia clean up damaged tissue, support neurons, and promote recovery.
By studying this process, we hope to better understand how these cells work in the damaged brain. This research could lead to new ways to improve recovery for stroke patients and may also shed light on other conditions where brain metabolism is altered, like Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Why did you apply for an EMBO Fellowship, and what does it allow you to do?
I applied for the EMBO Fellowship because it supports outstanding researchers and fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration in Europe. This fellowship allows me to conduct cutting-edge research at a leading institution, access advanced facilities and expertise, and dedicate my time to developing my project. It also offers opportunities to connect with a vibrant network of scientists across the world, promoting exchange and collaboration that invaluably enrich my work.
What impact do you hope the EMBO Fellowship will have on your future career?
The EMBO Fellowship is a significant stepping stone for my career. It will enhance my research profile by supporting high-impact work and providing international visibility. Beyond funding, the EMBO offers access to invaluable resources and opportunities, such as courses on leadership, scientific writing, and even on how to review scientific papers or improve scientific communication. The EMBO also facilitates connections through an online platform that links fellows worldwide and organizes meetings to foster in-person networking with peers.
Why did you choose a Swiss institution for your project?
Switzerland is renowned for its excellence in neuroscience and biomedical research. The institution and the research group that I selected offers a unique combination of expertise, advanced technology, and an interdisciplinary environment that is essential for the success of my project. Collaborating with leading experts here not only enhances the quality of my research but also situates my work within a global hub for scientific innovation.
European Molecular Biology Conference
Funding for the EMBO programme comes from the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC), thanks to the membership contributions paid by the EMBC’s 31 member states, which includes Switzerland. Every five years, scientific priorities are adjusted and corresponding budget allocations decided.
At the end of 2024, the EMBC's 31 member states decided that the EMBO's flagship postdoctoral fellowship programme should be reinforced further in the years 2025–2029. They also agreed to a moderate increase in their membership contributions (average increase of 2.87% per year). This will ensure the financial stability of the EMBO programme. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) represents Switzerland's interests in the EMBC.
Contact
Doris Wohlfender, SERI
International Research Organisations
doris.wohlfender@sbfi.admin.ch
+41 58 465 12 26
Author
Doris Wohlfender
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