ARISE Application process

The ARISE programme is open to experienced STEM professionals from around the world, who have at least four years of experience in technology development in academia or industry, with initial experience in technology development for the purpose of service provision.

The following eligibility criteria apply.

Formal eligibility criteria

1. A PhD degree itself is not required, but applicants must have at least four years of research experience with a high level of skills (postdoctoral standard), or must have expertise in a specialisation in which doctoral degrees are not usually awarded. Their degree and scientific experience should be in STEM fields, either in the academic or non-academic sectors, relevant to the research fields of EMBL research infrastructures and services. Years spent on a PhD count towards the required four years of experience.

2. Researchers from all countries are eligible for the ARISE programme. However, it is not permitted for applicants to have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) at any of the EMBL sites for more than 12 months in the three years immediately preceding the call deadline (MSCA mobility rule). Applicants cannot already be permanently employed by EMBL.

3. Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English (comparable to the C level/Proficient English user)

4. There is no age limit for applying to the fellowship programme. However, candidates’ achievements should align with their stage of education or work experience.

Academic eligibility criteria

1. Applicants should independently prepare and submit an original research proposal (up to four pages) relevant to the field of work of the groups or teams they are interested in joining. The proposal should aim to develop new methods or technologies or to improve existing ones, which can then be applied to answer various scientific questions from life science researchers as part of a service, and which can be integrated into research infrastructures (see programme overview). The proposed project should not be of local interest only, but should have sufficient potential for international transfer. The proposal must follow European Commission ethical guidance [link to Ethics requirements]. Applicants are required to contact the groups or teams of their choice before preparing their proposal, to get an overview of their field of work and of current activities in these groups or teams.
2. Applicants should demonstrate initial experience in technology development related to service provision.
3. Applicants should prove their scientific potential with at least one of the following types of evidence:

• Scientific publications.
• Scientific software, unique or problematic datasets, technical documentation, etc., that they have produced.
• Contributions to patents.
• Management of technology development projects.
• Detailed descriptions of any other innovative research they have performed, and their achievements.
• Other activities that demonstrate experience relevant to technology development and scientific services.

4. Applicants should select one or more EMBL group or team leaders who are participating in ARISE, whose group or team they would be interested in joining.

Applicants can appeal after any of three cut-off points: eligibility check, evaluation of their written application by the Evaluation Board, and personal interviews.

A dedicated email address, arise-appeal@embl.org, is available for official complaints or formal appeals. This will be accessible only by the Advisory Committee, which is bound by strict confidentiality.

The ARISE Advisory Committee will investigate the validity and significance of the allegations. If significant irregularities in the procedures are found, the Advisory Committee will devise a corrective measure for the current application (e.g. re-evaluation) and future selection rounds. In general, however, the decisions of the Evaluation Board, the interview panel, and the interviewers from the ARISE groups will not be overruled.