HHMI AND THE EUROPEAN Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) want to attract some of the world’s most promising scientists to Central Europe. To help talented researchers establish their first independent laboratories there, the organizations are launching the EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants—3-year awards of $75,000 annually. The new grants spring from a joint initiative of HHMI and EMBO involving Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia.

“HHMI believes it is essential that fresh new scientists with fresh new ideas start independent careers with sufficient resources to become competitive in the global world of contemporary science,” says Peter J. Bruns, HHMI’s vice president for grants and special programs. “By ‘resources’ we mean more than money; we also mean equipment, supplies, personnel, space, and time. This partnership among HHMI, EMBO, member countries, and local institutions, with each recognizing specific needs and each contributing unique resources, should make a significant difference.”

HHMI will contribute $50,000 a year for 3 years for up to six grants. Another $25,000 a year per grant will come from the participating member countries and EMBO. EMBO will oversee the Startup Grants as part of its Young Investigator Programme, which has been identifying and supporting exceptional young scientists in Europe since 2000.

HHMI has supported outstanding scientists in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Ukraine since 1995, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to scientific excellence as a global enterprise. Through its international scholars program, HHMI currently provides grants to non-U.S. scientists in 29 countries around the world.