A letter from FEMS

Dear Delegates, members and fellow microbiologists,

As all of us individually adapt and adjust to these changed times, FEMS is also responding to support our Member Societies and the microbiological community through these difficult circumstances. We have three new initiatives to announce.

Firstly, as an increasing number of conferences, society meetings and congresses are moving into online events, FEMS has opened a dedicated round of Online Meeting Organizer Grants (MOG) to support these virtual meetings. Applications open on Monday 22 June and members of any FEMS Member Society that are preparing to organize (or co-organize) an online microbiology event to be held between 6 September 2020 and 10 July 2021 are eligible to apply. Support of up to EUR 3000 per event is available. You can find our more and apply here: (https://fems-microbiology.org/about_fems/network-and-activities/grants/)

Secondly, our own events are also moving online and I am pleased to announce the dates for the Online FEMS Conference on Microbiology 2020 below. We have an exciting and varied programme to attract the participation of early career researchers and established scientists too, with a broad range of topics and speakers, aimed to replicate the atmosphere of ‘in person’ events. The Online Conference will be held 28 to 31 October 2020 – with sessions running from 14:00 (CET) onwards on Wednesday to Friday, and from 10:00 on Saturday. The Early Bird online registration deadline is until 31 July 2020 and the deadline for abstract submission until 15 July 2020. More information and registration can be found here: (https://fems2020belgrade.com/)

Finally, we have also extended the deadline for nominations/applications to the FEMS Lwoff Award for Achievements in Microbiology to enable us to also recognize the work that many of you are currently doing to understand and fight SARS-CoV2. Do you know of anyone, either an individual or a research group, that have made an exceptional contribution to microbiology? Then please do nominate them for the FEMS-Lwoff Award. You can send in your nomination via the FEMS-Lwoff nomination form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FEMS-Lwoff) until 7 July 2020. We particularly welcome nominations of those who are making a significant contribution in fields related to COVID-19 research. As we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and equal opportunities, we particularly encourage nominations that will recognize scientists from underrepresented groups.

As we navigate these new waters, I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, and encourage you to remember to take care of your own health and wellbeing. I also encourage that we look out for each other and please remember (as I try to remind myself too) to be kind to ourselves in these very challenging times. There is great value in working together, in communicating and of being part of a community which is greater than the sum of the parts. I am happy to be part of FEMS and what FEMS is offering by way of support.

With best wishes

Hilary Lappin-Scott President, FEMS