Luxembourg National Research Fund

The FNR is pleased to announce the 9th edition of Spotlight on Young Researchers, where we shine a spotlight on people across the globe with a connection to Luxembourg, who are early in their research careers. Through Spotlight on Young Researchers, you have the chance to draw attention to your field of research, a question or issue and share the work you are doing, and why it is important. Stories will be published as a feature, with the option of an accompanying video. Deadline to participate is Monday, 1 April 2024, but submissions later in April are also accepted. Since 2023, Spotlight on Young Researchers has also been open to lab assistants, engineers and technicians, don’t hesitate to participate!

Luxembourg has grown and developed as a research destination and is home to hundreds of early-career scientists, many supported by the FNR. An increasing number of young scientists are choosing internationally up and coming labs in Luxembourg. Many Luxembourgish scientists are also practicing their research across the world. We want to show the diverse range of important research going on in Luxembourg which young scientists are helping make happen. The research disciplines as diverse as the nationalities, we want to put faces and photos to the science. We want to tell stories, narrated by you!

Over 120 Spotlight on Young Researchers featured have been published since the first edition in 2016. In 2022, we also started catching up with some of the young researchers featured in the first editions to see what they have been up to in our follow up series Spotlight Revisited, stay tuned for more follow-ups in 2024.

How does it work?

Download and fill out the relevant form, keeping in mind your answers must be understandable to non-scientists, and send it to emily.iversen@fnr.lu by 1 April 2024. We will use what you send us to write a story, which will be published on fnr.lu (and newsletter FNR Info) in a feature-format and promoted on the FNR’s social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) in varying formats. Since 2023, we also offer the opportunity to step in front of the camera to talk about your research for a teaser video to accompany your feature.

Make it visual

Consider how photos / images / clips can help illustrate the answers you provide in the submission form and help tell the story. If you are unsure what photos to take or include, we are happy to offer guidance.

Photos and imagery are essential to telling this story. Please include good quality photos in your submission, such as:

• Photos of you/at work
• Photos of your work environment
• Photos related to your work
• Photos of your work (microscopic images, things you are researching, abstract images – take a look at the FNR Science Image Competition for inspiration)
• Videos / clips of your / you in your research environment are also highly welcome!

Get on-camera practice: Help us make a video teaser about your research

If you are based in Luxembourg, we also offer to visit you at work to record a short video about you and your research – please indicate in your submission email if this is something of interest. View the Spotlight videos published so far on the FNRLux Youtube or below.

Finding the right language

With Spotlight on Young Researchers, we want to tell a story, narrated by you. This story must be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your field of research, including the general public, and therefore a lay tone is essential. Think of how you would explain your research to a child, friends or your parents. Below the story, we have a dedicated section where you can go into more scientific detail.

Who is eligible?

Spotlight on Young Researchers is open to early-career researchers, as well as technicians and lab assistants, that are currently or have previously been funded under an FNR funding instrument, such as:

• AFR/AFR Bilateral; Industrial Fellowships; PRIDE;
• If your supervisor / group leader has a BRIDGES/ CORE / INTER/ JUMP/ OPEN/ grant;
• If you are a CORE Junior PI;
• If you are a current PhD candidate/recent Postdoc involved in a PSP project; If your group leader is an ATTRACT or PEARL grantee.

At the time of submission you must be:

• A current PhD candidate
• A (junior) Postdoc/ junior PI (senior researchers are not eligible!)
• An early career lab assistant, engineer, technician or similar

Both researchers in Luxembourg and abroad are eligible providing the criteria above are met. If you are not sure if you are eligible, contact Emily Iversen on emily.iversen@fnr.lu.

Group submissions of up to 4 people are welcome – at least one person in the group must be FNR-funded.

How to participate

Please send the completed submission form and photos by email (or e.g. wetransfer, OneDrive etc.) to Emily Iversen emily.iversen@fnr.lu by Monday, 1 April 2024. Submissions before the deadline are highly welcome. If you want to submit but cannot meet the deadline, please contact Emily Iversen.

• Spotlight on Young Researchers Individual Form
• Spotlight on Young Researchers Group Form [for collective submissions of 2-4 people] – if more than 1 person from the same research group is planning to submit to Spotlight, this from must be used.
• Spotlight on Young Researchers Individual Form – Industry [use if your research involves an industry/company partner]
• Spotlight on Young Researchers Group Form – Industry  [for collective submissions of 2-4 people working on a project with an industry partner]