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The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) was founded in 1964 as a professional society for life scientists with the goal of strengthening molecular biology research in Europe and fostering international collaboration. Its creation was inspired by a growing recognition in the postwar period that Europe needed stronger infrastructure and cooperation to remain competitive in biological sciences, particularly compared with the United States.

In its early years, EMBO focused on supporting scientific exchange and training, notably through fellowships that enabled young researchers to work abroad and acquire new expertise, as well as its core membership. EMBO also began organising scientific meetings, workshops, and courses that encouraged collaboration and the dissemination of knowledge across national boundaries.

As one way of meeting its goals, EMBO considered the creation of a central laboratory, and along with the EMBC created the EMBL in 1974.

Over time, EMBO expanded its activities to include scientific publishing (launching The EMBO Journal in 1982, followed by other high-impact journals), policy advocacy for life sciences, and the development of programs that supported career progression, such as the EMBO Young Investigator Programme (1999) and EMBO Global Investigator Network (2019).

Today, EMBO represents over 2,000 elected members and associate members worldwide. It continues to play a vital role in promoting excellence in the life sciences through funding, training, networking, publishing, and policy engagement, with an enduring emphasis on international cooperation and scientific quality.

The Course Committee was first appointed by council on May 8th 1965, in order to manage funds the organisation were to receive from the Volkswagen Foundation in December of that year . The structure of the grant allocated funding for Courses and Workshops, the former providing laboratory training in new scientific techniques, and the latter being more informal meetings, bringing scientists together and offering them the opportunity to learn and present new discoveries. The remit of the department has expanded over time, now encompassing keynote lectures, conferences, training, and scientific training conducted in non-EMBC countries. EMBO also formed partnerships with other organisations to offer training courses, including symposia offered in collaboration with the European Science Foundation (ESF), and Plenary Lectures organised alongside the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS).

In 1997, the first Science and Society Committee meeting was held, bringing together EMBO Members to discuss the topic of “Molecular Biology in Society”. It was decided that the defining the role that EMBO might play in science communication, both towards interested members of the public, and regarding public policy, was crucial. It was decided that a particular emphasis should be made on building interactions with secondary school teachers.

A year later Frank Gannon, then Executive Director, wrote a paper regarding Basic Research and the Future of Science Policy, again highlighting EMBO’s keen interest in leading in this sphere. In 1999 there were two joint meetings with the European Federation of Biotechnology and the European Genetics Foundation regarding controversial scientific topics, and in that same year Dr. Andrew Moore was hired to lead the Science + Society Program. Under Dr. Moore the project focused on creating events, resources, and support activities that led to better understanding of science and scientists by laypersons.

In 2002 the Science & Society Program established “Continuing Education for European Biology Teachers”, an EC Funded project Designed to provide a new layer of professional development for biology teachers through workshops, training courses, and through the creation of a resource centre. Science Communication and Science Writing prizes were also created to reward researchers for their work in communicating scientific topics to broad audiences.

Yearly stakeholder meetings were also established, bringing together scientists, philosophers, policy makers, teachers, and members of the general public to discuss controversial topics regarding scientific ethics, such as the role of genetic modification in food policy and animal testing. In the latter case EMBO published a position paper regarding its stance on the use of animals in research.

In 2006, EMBO become one of sixteen partners involved in the BioTethed project, an initiative which promoted biotechnology ethics and its interaction with other fields of science, scientists and the general public.

In 2009 EMBO organised a summer school for graduate and PHD students at EMBL, and began to be involved in the “Initiative for Science in Europe”, an organisation intended as a platform of European scientific organizations meant to promote basic science at the European level, design and implement European science policies, and advocate independent scientific advice in European policy making. The ISE was eventually realised in 2017.

In 2010 the remit of the programme changed, with its purpose now being to influence European research policy for the benefit of the scientific community, as well as analysing and advising on research-related issues. Therefore, EMBO Council decided to change the name of this programme to "Science Policy Programme”. Following this change the science policy programme was incorporate into the General Programme of the EMBC in 2012. Since then there has been a greater emphasis on ensuring the ethical conduct of members and fellows. It co-developed an Epigeum course on research integrity which became mandatory for all new fellows.