EMBL – European Molecular Biology Laboratory

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) was founded in 1974 on the basis of an intergovernmental treaty signed by ten European countries: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The creation of this Laboratory stems from the idea of prominent scientists to create a supranational research center similar to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), to restore balance in the field of molecular biology, which was then strongly dominated by the US.

EMBL was preceded by the creation of two other institutions: the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC). Learn more about the relationship between the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and EMBO and EMBC.

The number of member countries has gradually increased and now stands at 29: Finland (1984), Greece (1984), Norway (1985), Spain (1986), Belgium (1990), Portugal (1998), Ireland (2003), Iceland (2005), Croatia (2006), Luxembourg (2007), Czech Republic (2014), Malta (2016), Hungary (2017), Slovakia (2018), Montenegro (2018), Poland (2019), Lithuania (2019), Estonia (2023), and Latvia (2023).

In addition to these countries, EMBL counts Australia as a participant with associate country status and Latvia as a participant with candidate country status.

Portugal joined EMBL in 1998 and has since participated and been involved in activities at the heart of EMBL's missions.

EMBL is now Europe's leading laboratory for basic research in molecular biology and has its headquarters and main laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. It also has five centers in Hinxton (the Institute of Bioinformatics, EMBL-EBI), Grenoble, Hamburg, Rome (Monterotondo), and Barcelona. EMBL attracts both young researchers and established scientists from around the world to these six locations.

With around 1,800 people working in six locations across Europe, around 700 publications are produced each year and events and conferences at the forefront of biological research are organized.

This infrastructure, established to promote molecular biology across Europe and create a center of excellence for top-level training in Europe, pursues five missions:

1. Conduct fundamental research in molecular biology;
2. Provide vital services to scientists in member countries and around the world;
3. Educate scientists, students, and visitors at all levels;
4. Actively participate in technology transfer and industry relations;
5. Coordinate and integrate European research in life sciences.

Technology Internships at EMBL

In August 2017, FCT and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) signed a protocol with the aim of promoting technological internships for young Portuguese graduates through Studentships by FCT. The protocol was renewed in September 2020 for a period of five years.

Under this protocol, FCT was responsible for implementing the internship program, selecting candidates, and monitoring the work carried out by the interns. In total, two interns were funded.

The internships, with a minimum duration of one year and the possibility of renewal for another year, were organized by technological fields, with special attention given to the project, the training framework, and the future placement of interns in Portuguese companies focused on innovation.

The protocol is not currently active.

Industrial relations

EMBL employs some of Europe's best researchers, bringing together biologists, engineers, information technology professionals, and numerous other scientific specializations. In addition, EMBL's research has many practical and industrial applications.

EMBL's entrepreneurial spirit is embodied in technology transfer programs and technology spin-off companies.