17 November 2023 – EMBO is proud to announce that Latvia has joined the organization’s inter-governmental funding body, the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC). Latvia is the 31st country to join EMBC as a member state, enabling scientists in the country to benefit from the full suite of EMBO Programmes and strengthening the life science community in Europe and beyond.
Latvia’s accession as an EMBC Member State, concluded today, was agreed unanimously by the EMBC following presentations from representatives of Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. The preceding step to the accession was an approval procedure in the Cabinet of Ministers in Latvia, which has been completed on 17 October.
“Latvia’s membership of EMBC marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation,” said Jānis Paiders, Director of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation at the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. “By joining EMBC and EMBO, we strengthen our collaboration with leading experts across the life sciences, fostering a brighter future for scientific discovery and progress. Together, we will drive innovation, promote knowledge exchange, and contribute further to the global scientific community. Latvia extends heartfelt gratitude for the support we have received on our journey to join EMBC.”
Major life science centres in Latvia include the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, the University of Latvia, Rīga Stradiņš University, the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and the University of Daugavpils, amongst others in both the public and private sectors. Latvia has three university hospitals active in various fields of translational research.
As a member of EMBC, life scientists working in Latvia can apply to EMBO Programmes, including postdoctoral fellowships, scientific exchange grants, courses and workshops, the EMBO Young Investigator Programme.
“International cooperation is at the heart of European research and the entire life science community benefits from Latvia joining EMBC,” says Fiona Watt, EMBO Director. “Latvia is home to great scientists and life science centres, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impacts our partnership will have on careers, collaborations and scientific exchange.”
To date, 31 countries have ratified the EMBC Agreement and became EMBC Member States: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
“Broadening the EMBC community to include Latvia benefits biology and biomedical research across Europe,” said Leszek Kaczmarek, EMBC President. “I have seen first-hand the positive impacts of EMBO Programmes on the careers of researchers at all stages. Specialists in Latvia now have access to these diverse opportunities, which will undoubtedly lead to exciting new projects and scientific breakthroughs. I would like to thank all those involved in supporting Latvia’s accession to EMBC.”
More information on the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science.
More information on Latvia. For information on EMBC Member States and processes, visit the EMBC website.
