EMBO Practical Courses promote the transfer of new methods and emerging techniques in life science-related areas. The aim of these courses is to enable participants to acquire new techniques that they can implement in their home laboratories.

Practical courses are limited to between 20 and 25 participants (excluding speakers), who are usually early-stage postdoctoral researchers and advanced PhD students. In order to cover topics and techniques in sufficient depth, courses should last between five and ten days.

EMBO Practical Courses must take place in an EMBC Member State, an EMBC Associate Member State or in a cooperating partner country. During 2017 applications for organizing meetings in Chile will exceptionally be considered.

EMBO may consider applications for EMBO Practical Courses in other regions of the world. Scientists should contact Global Activities before applying ( global@​embo.​org).

Organizers of a practical course can be of any nationality and be based in any country.

EMBO Practical Courses must cover a topic from the life sciences, and the application should include a list of (mostly) confirmed speakers.

For detailed information on the eligibility criteria etc, please consult the application guidelines (pdf).

Applications for EMBO Practical Courses are accepted twice a year and must be submitted through the online system. Organizers are advised to apply at least 12 months before the proposed course date.

Application process

• The deadlines for applications are 1 March 2017 and 1 August 2017, 14:00 CEST.
• All incoming applications are screened by the EMBO office to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
• The decision on which proposals receive funding is made by the EMBO Course Committee in May and October, respectively.
• All applicants are informed of the outcome of their application by email shortly after the committee meeting.

Please note: For repeating practical courses, a new application is required for each individual course within a series, which will be evaluated competitively.

Required documentation

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• A list of the organizers
• Proposed title and topic of the practical course
• Reasons for holding a course on the proposed topic
• Information on any competing or similar courses held in the current, proposed or following year
• Proposed date and location
• List of proposed speakers/​instructors
• Draft programme
• Selection criteria and number of participants
• Draft budget

For detailed information on the application process, key dates and required documentation, please consult the application guidelines.