The European Cell Biology Organisation was founded in 1969 to promote the advancement of cell biology in Europe through international collaboration, training, and scientific exchange. It organised congresses, meetings, and training activities to strengthen the discipline and provide a platform for researchers across national boundaries. ECBO applied to become affiliated with the EMBC in December 1974. A working group of the EMBC was established to evaluate this proposal, which recommended that two representatives of ECBO be represented on the EMBO course committee, which was accepted.