EMB Ambassador programme
The European Marine Board (EMB) Ambassador Programme, established in 2019, is a two-year programme aiming to increase awareness and engagement from early career scientists in current marine science-policy topics in Europe. The Early Career Ambassadors represent the opinions, attitudes, and needs of early career researchers (including the EMB ECOP Network) in the marine science field and their perspectives are thus seen as valuable inputs to EMB activities. Through this initiative, EMB helps early career researchers to make their voices heard within EMB’s activities and the EU policy landscape to help create and shape the ocean leaders of tomorrow.
Our fifth cycle will start in April 2023, and EMB is looking for two enthusiastic, engaged, and creative Ambassadors that are willing to play an important role in advocating for EMB and promoting the societal and political relevance of the marine natural sciences, marine social sciences, humanities, and the Ocean, within their own communities, and to a wide diversity of stakeholders. The two new Ambassadors will collaborate and liaise with our current Ambassadors and recent Alumni to share experiences and ideas, and work together on activities, i.e. the EMB ECOP Network and EMB ECOP Wednesdays.
You can find information on how to apply and a link to the application form at the bottom of the page.
The EMB Ambassador Programme will:
- Challenge you to use and showcase your talent to increase general awareness of marine science and the role of EMB in its promotion;
- Enable you to get involved and create momentum around the launch of one of EMB’s strategic publications or events;
- Support you in promoting and communicating specific marine science foresight activities;
- Enable you to interact directly with scientists and decision-makers from leading European marine science and policy organizations;
- Enable you to propose and organize events and activities for the EMB Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Network; and
- Enable you to liaise with other Young Ambassadors and experts in diverse activities.
Who can apply for the EMB Young Ambassador Programme?
Any PhD student (in their first two years of PhD) or Post-Doc researcher (with at least two years left on current contract) that is willing to use their creativity, imagination, communication, artistic talents, and interpersonal skills to help promote EMB activities and marine science in Europe! EMB Young Ambassadors can be stationed inside or outside the EU and can have a background in any aspect related to the marine environment, including natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, policy and governance, engineering, technology, interdisciplinary research, and/or science communication. The applicant is not required to be an EU citizen however they do need to have a demonstrable link with at least one of the 35 EMB Member Organisations.
It should be noted that EMB aims to achieve balance within its current cohort of Ambassadors, therefore it is extremely unlikely that a new Ambassador would be selected who is in the same country and/or at the same institute as a currently serving Ambassador.
What do we expect from the EMB Young Ambassadors?
EMB Ambassadors should engage with EMB for a period of two years, and thus it is required that applicants have at least two years left of their PhD or Post-Doc position. This two-year programme will enable the Ambassadors to engage in their chosen projects over a longer time frame and meet and liaise with relevant European and international experts. Engaging with the EMB Ambassador Programme requires ca. 120 hours per year. Applicants should have a high level of both written and spoken English.
EMB Ambassadors will be invited to participate in various EMB activities, including attending and participating in one or more EMB Plenary meeting(s) and/or other events or workshops. They may also have the option to participate in other external events or activities. This might include travel within Europe for a duration of two- three days, participation in online activities, and various communication activities (e.g. preparing infographics, cartoons or short video’s) to promote the recommendations of EMB publications. The EMB will refund reasonable registration fees, travel and subsistence expenses for these events and activities, and/or reasonable expenses for agreed communication outputs up to a total amount of 3,000 EUR for the duration of the two-year programme. Furthermore, the Ambassador will receive a total grant of 2,000 EUR (paid in instalments per semester, upon delivery of agreed outputs, e.g., blog article, presentation, event).
Ambassadors will attend a training workshop to meet the members of the EMB Secretariat and the other Young Ambassadors, to increase their knowledge of EMB activities, the European marine policy landscape, and to gain insight into working at the science-policy interface. This workshop will be held either online or at the EMB Offices in Ostend (Belgium) during spring/summer 2023 based on availability. The EMB will contact the selected Ambassadors to agree on the exact dates.
Benefits for the EMB ambassadors:
- The EMB Young Ambassador Programme creates a unique opportunity to:
- Have regular meetings with the EMB Secretariat to find out about EMB’s latest activities and plan Ambassador activities;
- Network with senior European and international marine science and policy experts from EMB member organizations and wider stakeholder networks;
- Attend and participate in high-level marine science events;
- Put into practise your intercultural, networking, project planning and professional skills in real science communication projects;
- Receive first-hand updates on our progress and insight into EMB’s future plans and hot policy topics;
- Help promote Ocean literacy;
- Receive a stipend of 2,000 EUR spread over the two-year period, and a budget of 3,000 EUR for reasonable expenses within the role;
- Create a strong community and network and interact with other ECOPs in the EMB Network;
- Be listed as an Ambassador on the EMB website and gain additional exposure for your activities and work via EMB outputs; and,
- Remain in contact with EMB as part of the EMB Ambassador Alumni Programme.
How to apply for the EMB Young Ambassador Programme?
You can apply for the EMB Young Ambassador Programme by sending the following information to info@marineboard.eu by Sunday 26 February 2023 at midnight (CET):
- Your CV;
- The completed and signed application form.
Please reference EMB Young Ambassador 2023 when sending in your application in the subject line. If you want more information on the specific topic you would like to work on, you can contact the EMB Secretariat via info@marineboard.eu.
We will review the applications after the deadline and be in touch by the end of March 2023!
Find out more about the programme in our video here: