Our winning proposals: EMBO’s short and sweet fellowships

EMBO’s Short-Term Fellowships allow molecular biologists to gain vital experience in foreign labs. Ben Upton hears from four former fellows on how they handled their bids and made use of their time abroad.

European molecular biology organisation EMBO’s Short-Term Fellowships are open year-round and support research exchanges of up to three months in laboratories outside applicants’ home countries. The fellowships contribute towards travel costs and subsistence of the fellow, with the subsistence rate depending on the country being visited.

One piece of advice to potential applicants comes through loud and clear from all four EMBO fellows we spoke to: you need to build up some sort of relationship, however remote, with your host lab before putting in a bid.