EMBO, HHMI join forces to promote brain gain

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 09 Feb 2005 - 19:00 PDT


The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the European Molecular Biology Organization want to attract some of the world's most promising scientists to Central Europe. To help them establish their first independent laboratories there, the organizations are launching the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants- three-year awards of $75,000 U.S. annually.

The new grants spring from a joint initiative of HHMI and EMBO involving Central European member countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia. EMBO is the leading life sciences organization in Europe, supporting scientists through high quality initiatives such as fellowships, courses, workshops, and its Young Investigator Programme. One of the largest philanthropies in the world, HHMI has supported outstanding scientists in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Ukraine since 1995, reflecting the Institute's commitment to scientific excellence as a global enterprise.

"HHMI believes it is essential that fresh new scientists with fresh new ideas start independent careers with sufficient resources to become competitive in the global world of contemporary science," said Peter J. Bruns, Institute vice president for grants and special programs. "By resources, we mean more than money; we mean equipment, supplies, personnel, space, and time. This partnership among HHMI, EMBO, member countries, and local institutions, with each recognizing the special needs and each contributing unique resources, should make a significant difference."

HHMI will contribute $50,000 a year for three years for up to six grants. Another $25,000 a year per grant will come from the participating member countries and EMBO. EMBO will oversee the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants as part of its Young Investigator Programme, which has been identifying and supporting exceptional young scientists in Europe since 2000.

In addition to financial support, a key element of the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants is a guarantee of continuing career opportunities for grant recipients. Applicant institutions are being asked to make a commitment to ongoing support of the scientists who receive the awards.

"By offering young independent scientists the resources they need to get started and the assurance of local support in the long-term, EMBO and HHMI hope to help strengthen science in Central Europe," said Frank Gannon, executive director of EMBO. "EMBO's involvement in this initiative represents our continued commitment to supporting countries throughout Europe that wish to develop and enhance their science bases."

The new initiative builds on HHMI/EMBO grants awarded between 2002 and 2004 to help scientists in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland early in their independent careers. That program was designed to strengthen the scientific pipeline in EMBO member countries where HHMI funds international research scholars. Through its international scholars program, HHMI supports outstanding non-U.S. scientists in 29 countries around the world.

A competition for the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants opens this week. Scientists will apply jointly with research institutes in the countries where they intend to establish labs. The application deadline is August 1, 2005. Further information and application forms can be found at: embo.org/projects/yip/embo_hhmi_startup_grants.html

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute was established in 1953 by the aviator-industrialist. HHMI's principal mission is conducting basic biomedical research, which it carries out in collaboration with universities, medical centers and other research institutions throughout the United States. Its more than 300 investigators, along with a scientific staff of more than 3,000, work at these institutions in Hughes laboratories. The Institute also has a philanthropic grants program that is strengthening science education and training, from elementary school through graduate and medical school. It also supports the work of biomedical researchers in many countries around the globe.

HHMI is one of the largest philanthropies in the world, with an endowment of more than $13 billion. Its headquarters are located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) promotes biosciences in Europe. Through initiatives such as fellowships, practical courses, workshops, and its actions supporting young independent scientists, EMBO supports transnational mobility, training, and exchange at all stages of the scientific career. The organization was founded in 1964, and an example of its early impact was the establishment of the well-known laboratory, EMBL. EMBO elects new members annually on the basis of proven excellence in research. Today the organization has approximately 1,200 European members and 100 associate members worldwide including some 38 Nobel Laureates. http://www.embo.org

Jennifer Donovan - donovanj@hhmi.org
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

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