Series 9 - Special Development Installation Grants

The Young Investigator Program scheme was designed from the outset to offer financial support and training opportunities to group leaders with less than four years’ experience leading a laboratory. The intention was to support both excellence and maintain a healthy geographic distribution. The scheme was first proposed to the EMBO Council in 1998, who, receiving it favorably, officially accepted it a year later and established a working group with the support of all participating countries. Council subsequently established a selection committee and carried out its first round of selections in 2001, accepting 23 candidates.

The primary allure of the program to applicants seemed from the beginning to be the Networking opportunities. The YIP program offered participants the opportunity to present their work and meet their peers at yearly meetings, access to EMBL core facilities, mentoring opportunities, and even courses for PHD students at participants’ laboratories.

In 2005 these networking opportunities expanded to include Laboratory Management Courses (now [Lab Leadership Courses]), designed to empower YIPs with skills in everything from project management to managing laboratory groups.

In 2008 the program created the Special Development Installation Grant. These were established as a Special Project of the EMBC for the purpose of supporting scientists in peripheral nations: The Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Estonia, and were based on and replaced the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants. Eligibility has since grown to include Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, and Türkiye.

By 2011, Council noted the strength of the project, highlighting the promotion of scientists engaging in novel research topics. Through the years the prestige of the award as well as the networking opportunities has provided the greatest motivation to applicants.. YIPs currently receive a financial award of 15,000 euros in their second year, and can also apply for additional small grants of up to 10,000 euros per year. There is currently a network of over 700 YIP alumni.