The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) welcomed Slovakia as its latest member state on 29 January 2018. The accession of the Slovak Republic to EMBL emphasises the organisation’s commitment to promoting European science and collaboration among researchers.

EMBL is one of the world’s leading research institutions, and Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences. EMBL was set up in order to promote molecular biology across Europe, and to create a centre of excellence for Europe's leading young molecular biologists. 

As a member state, Slovakia will gain access to all scientific services and workplaces of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Its new status will also allow Slovakia to vote in EMBL’s Council, the laboratory’s governing body, where important decisions about the organisation are made. Up to two Slovakian delegates can become members of the EMBL Council and will thus be able to influence the planning of its future programs.

Since 2014, when Slovakia became an EMBL prospect member state, the ties between the two parties have become stronger: EMBL and Slovakia have applied for joint grants, contributed to joint publications. To stimulate collaboration with the Slovak research community, EMBL held a Workshop at Comenius University Science Park (CUSP) in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2017.

Image source: www.embl.de