Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1964-2023 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
19 boxes of paper material.
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
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.
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Membership Department administers EMBO’s elected membership, the core body of the organization since its foundation in 1964. From the beginning, the EMBO Secretariat managed the nomination and election of Members. As membership grew through the 1980s and 1990s, these tasks developed into a dedicated function within the EMBO Office in Heidelberg. The department's main responsibilities are administering the annual nomination and voting process for new Members and Associate Members, acting as the point of contact for Members and communicating announcements, updates, and recognition of new elections, and keeping the official membership register and related biographical data.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection comprises materials related to the Membership Programme of EMBO.
The Membership Committee series contains correspondence, meeting documents, and other organisational and administrative documents concerning the management of the Membership department.
The Nominations and Results series contains documents relating to the nominations and elections of new EMBO members. It contains lists of nominations and results.
The EMBO Members Meeting series contains administrative and organisational documents concerning the annual meeting of new and current EMBO members, as well as material from the meetings such as photographs, programmes, and lists of participants.
The EMBO Membership Lists series contains annual lists of EMBO members published by the organisation.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged at the series level.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Restricted - Certain materials may be available online. Other materials are accessible to registered researchers subject to an approved access request. Visitors must fill out a request form and sign the Archives Access Terms and Conditions.