Promoting science research excellence
Thanks to the EU-funded 'European Molecular Biology Laboratory interdisciplinary postdocs' (EIPOD) fellowship programme, young researchers were equipped with new skills and a wider range of competences to help secure Europe's global competitiveness. EIPOD invited young researchers to propose and develop interdisciplinary projects to European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) faculty of their choice. EMBL is a leading global research institution, and Europe's flagship life sciences laboratory. The project funded all researchers, irrespective of nationality, for three years and brought together different science disciplines. Applicants were evaluated almost exclusively on their proposed project's scientific merit and interdisciplinary nature. The fellowship programme also encouraged researchers keen on moving into a new research domain. EIPOD built on highly interactive research between the group faculty leaders of different research units, and worked to leverage synergies that arose from overlapping yet separate scientific fields. In addition to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, fellows were able to take advantage of EMBL's wide variety of advanced training, career development and mentorship opportunities. Fellows also have an alumni network at their disposal to help them get back into the national research arena. Targeted information and communication activities ensured that call applications nearly doubled over the four-year duration, helping to boost fellowships. The consortium's commitment to gender balance saw women applicants total almost 50 %. Researchers working across all science disciplines, from medicine to engineering, completed their training with new skills and a wider range of competences that will be key to their careers. EIPOD contributed to ensuring Europe produces world-class science research and outcomes.
Keywords
Science research, research excellence, molecular biology, fellowship programme