  Upcoming key dates
A. Castellani PhD Meeting | Application deadline
PROBio-LatAm Fellowships | Application deadline
FEBS Congress 2026 | Late-breaking abstract deadline
FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award | 2027 Nomination deadline
FEBS Education and Training Supported Society Events | Application deadline
FEBS Press | FEBS Letters cover contest
FEBS Advanced Courses | 2027 Call for applications  FEBS announcements Israel Pecht Award 2026 Prof. Francesco Bonomi (University of Milan, Italy) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Israel Pecht Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the biomolecular sciences community and his long-standing commitment to FEBS and its Constituent Societies. This award honours individuals whose dedication, leadership and service have significantly strengthened the FEBS network and supported the development of the scientific community.
???? The award will be presented at the Opening Ceremony of the FEBS 2026 Congress in Maastricht  FEBS Education Award 2026 Professor Luciane Vieira de Mello (University of Liverpool, UK) has been awarded the FEBS Education Award 2026 in recognition of her outstanding and sustained contributions to bioscience education. Her work has significantly advanced how complex subjects such as bioinformatics are taught, combining research-informed approaches with a strong focus on student engagement, transferable skills and curriculum innovation. Her impact extends internationally, influencing educational practices across Europe and beyond.
???? The award will be presented at the FEBS 2026 Congress in Maastricht (4–8 July)    The FEBS Congress 2026: latest news We look forward to welcoming you to the milestone 50th FEBS Congress in Maastricht this summer for the big picture across the molecular life sciences. Don’t miss the late-breaking abstract submission deadline. Posters play an important part in the knowledge exchange and networking at a FEBS Congress, and there is still just time to join the event to present your work this way. Find all the details on abstract submission, including nearly 40 abstract topics, in the Congress website’s late-breaking abstract call. Deadline: 20 April 2026 (23:59 CEST) Get ready for FEBS Press poster prizes. In recognition of the contribution of posters to the event, prizes for outstanding scientific posters at the Congress will be awarded by The FEBS Journal, FEBS Letters, Molecular Oncology and FEBS Open Bio, with the daily prize-winners shortlisted for overall prizes to be announced during the closing session. Find more details in a news post here. Good luck! The new FEBS Rita Levi-Montalcini Medal and Lecture will be awarded for the first time at the 50th FEBS Congress. This first medal for outstanding achievements in biochemistry and molecular biology or related areas, with an emphasis on work on the molecular basis of disease or treatment, goes to Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier, who will deliver a plenary lecture at the Congress on ‘Transforming life sciences through the power of microbiology’. Find out about the inspiring life of Rita Levi-Montalcini, renowned for her work leading to the discovery of nerve growth factor, and the new FEBS medal named in her honour, on the Congress website here.  For more on the exciting range of headline lectures at the event, see the full plenary speaker list. Congress Special Sessions expand the programme. Amidst plenary lectures, symposia, speed talks and posters, look out for the Congress ‘special sessions’ to broaden your outlook. The FEBS Education special session focuses on wellbeing this year, while the FEBS Press special session highlights publication ethics and best practices in scientific publishing. Also among the special sessions, a joint FEBS and KSBMB (Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) session offers perspectives on cutting-edge techniques in biochemistry, and a joint FEBS and EACR (European Association for Cancer Research) session will look at the interplay of tumour cells, non-tumour cells and their microenvironment in cancer development.    The FEBS Journal The FEBS Journal is happy to share a new issue on Molecular Microbiology. This focus issue highlights the latest advances in the genetic, molecular and biochemical processes that govern microbial physiology, pathogenesis and evolution. We welcome you to this celebration of all things bugs, drugs, and “biochem”. FEBS Letters FEBS Letters is very pleased to announce the publication of a new special issue on Circadian Clocks. This issue, guest edited by Carrie Partch of UC Santa Cruz, features 14 high-quality Review articles by experts in the field, including Nobel Laureate Aziz Sancar, on the molecular basis of circadian rhythms, their pervasive and powerful control of biology, and new frontiers in the field, including approaches to modulate biological timekeeping to improve human health. We encourage you to read the full issue for free here.   FEBS Open Bio We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest Special Issue on “Bioplastics and Biopolymers”, guest-edited by Valeria L. Giosafatto, Raffaele Porta. The five Review articles in this issue focus on the recent advances on the production, characterization and biodegradation of sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel derived plastics. Together, they propose a more environmentally friendly approach to material design. We hope you enjoy reading this In the Limelight issue and invite you to check out all of our Special Issues here. Molecular Oncology At Molecular Oncology, we are looking forward to attending and participating in the 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2026) held 08-11 June in Budapest, Hungary. As the affiliate journal of the EACR, we are pleased to host a booth at the central ‘non-profit’ hub in the main Congress foyer, right next to the EACR stand. We will also be supporting a Meet the Editor session and a joint EACR - EACS - Molecular Oncology Session on the ’The Dark Proteome’.  If you are interested in attending EACR 2026 don’t miss out on Early rate registration by 21 April 2026 and come visit us at booth C5. Stay tuned: the EACR 2026 congress abstracts will be published in Molecular Oncology following the congress.  FEBS Advanced Courses Want to deepen your knowledge and skills in your field, meet peers and world-renowned speakers in a friendly setting, build a community in your research area, or explore new topics? Try a FEBS Advanced Course! Covering advanced topics in the molecular life sciences at locations across Europe, they provide research updates, training, and networking, and are especially valuable to PhD students and Postdocs. Some courses are jointly funded with EMBO or IUBMB. FEBS Advanced Courses 2026 – ParticipantsThere are still many FEBS Advanced Courses open for registration, from those on advanced proteomics, biochirality, and MASLD, to the extracellular matrix, redox signalling, synaptic vesicle dynamics, and epigenetics. We invite you to browse the full Advanced Courses calendar on the FEBS website. FEBS Advanced Course 2027 – OrganizersIf you are considering organizing a course, the next deadline is 1 September 2026 (for courses in 2027). We are delighted to flag that the new Joint FEBS/IUBMB Advanced Course will still be accepting applications for that deadline. This course type is co-funded equally by FEBS and IUBMB and can be held in any country that has an IUBMB Adhering Bodies and Associate Adhering Bodies, including those with a FEBS Constituent Society. Please monitor the FEBS website for news and refer to the latest guidelines. As always, we appreciate the sharing of this information, and links to course websites, with interested contacts and relevant networks.  FEBS Education and Training FEBS Education and Training Supported Society Events FEBS provides funding to support education activities organised by members of its Constituent Societies, including sessions at national congresses and face-to-face training events. Grants of up to €2,000 are available for in-person events, and up to €750 for online courses. ???? Deadline: 15 June 2026 (for events taking place July–December 2026) FEBS 2026 Congress Education Special Session Wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a key factor in shaping research environments and career development. This session brings together researchers, mentors and educators to explore how wellbeing influences learning, supervision and long-term success in science. Featuring:
???? 7 July 2026, 16:00–17:45  Fellowships  Applications are still open for the PROBio-LatAm Fellowships 2026, supporting early-career researchers from Latin America to undertake research visits in laboratories across FEBS countries. This joint initiative by FEBS, IUBMB and PABMB promotes international collaboration and provides access to advanced methodologies, technologies and scientific expertise. Fellowships offer funding of up to €7,000 for research stays of up to six months, covering travel and living costs.
⏳ Only a few days left to apply Careers of Young Scientists Final opportunity for PhD students: Apply today to attend the “A. Castellani” Meeting  This is the final opportunity to apply for FEBS support to attend the 36th “A. Castellani” Annual Meeting for PhD Students in Biochemical Sciences, taking place in Brallo di Pregola (Italy) on 25–29 May 2026. FEBS will cover registration fees, accommodation, and travel costs for selected PhD students. The meeting provides an excellent platform to present research, exchange ideas, and build connections within an international PhD student community. Application deadline: 15 April. Read the full call and submit your application here.  Women in Science  If you have not yet submitted a nomination, there is still time to recognise an outstanding woman scientist whose work is advancing the life sciences. This joint FEBS and EMBO initiative celebrates excellence in research while highlighting the importance of visible role models in science. The award honours one female scientist each year for major achievements in Europe, with a €10,000 prize, a statuette, and a plenary lecture at the FEBS Congress.
???? Deadline for nominations: 15 May 2026 |
