Q&A about FEMS
We created a Q&A page for FEMS Ambassadors which will help in answering frequently asked questions about the Federation. Ambassadors help us spread the message about FEMS and our activities, and thus help us extend our reach.
Do you have further questions to be added to the list? Get in touch by writing an email to corrado.nai ‘at’ fems-microbiology.org with the header “Questions about FEMS”!
- What is FEMS?
- Who can become a member of FEMS?
- How can Ambassadors support FEMS mission?
- How can FEMS support Ambassadors activities?
- Who can submit to FEMS Journals?
- How can people receive updated information about FEMS?
- How can you follow FEMS on social media?
What is FEMS?
The Federation of European Microbiological Society (FEMS) is a coalition of more than 56 Member Societies from 41 countries, a diverse network of 30,000 individual microbiologists. Our commitment is to support microbiologists and promote the best in microbiological research and knowledge. As a not-for-profit organization, we reinvest our revenues into supporting microbiologists throughout their career, publishing and promoting scientific research in our journals and organizing events to bring scientists together.
Who can become a member of FEMS?
FEMS unites societies, not individuals, and therefore it is not possible to become a member of FEMS individually. Unless you are member of one of the FEMS Member Societies, you cannot enjoy the benefits of FEMS. However, several of our Member Societies accept members from around the world. We do aim to keep in touch with people interested in microbiology. All individuals can register for free on our website and receive our monthly newsletter.
How can Ambassadors support FEMS mission?
Word-of-mouth have a tremendous impact in bringing the Federation ahead and help achieve its mission, whether while travelling to conferences, meeting colleagues informally or in your every-day job. Also, as Ambassador you have a direct connection with the Federation.
Example of activities Ambassadors can do are:
- help connect members of our network with researchers in area of the world where the Federation is less known or represented
- spread news about FEMS journals, events, grants or projects
- attend our events as mentor, representative or speaker
- take part in science-communication activities (e.g. video interviews)
- provide expert commentary on important topics in their field (or helping us finding appropriate colleagues to do so)
- contribute in building our network, e.g. by inviting board members to relevant events/meetings to give talks
We are glad to receive your questions, inputs and suggestions (e.g. per email at fems ‘at’ fems-microbiology.org) which we will forward to the relevant contact!
How can FEMS support Ambassadors activities?
We can support your work as Ambassador for FEMS in different ways, like sharing relevant and up-to-date information with you or providing supporting material presenting the Federation.
Different types of support FEMS can provide are:
- provide relevant promotional material and business cards
- filming and video work (depending on the message that Ambassadors wish our support to in sending out)
- reimbursement of travel and expense costs for work relating to FEMS
- establish connections with the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM)
- establish connections in European Science and EU Science Policy
- meet our senior members and be part of our network
- attend our biennial FEMS Congress for free
If you have any specific questions, get in touch by writing an email to fems ‘at’ fems-microbiology.org with the header ”Questions about FEMS”!
Who can submit to FEMS Journals?
Submissions are open to everyone, except for FEMS Microbiology Reviews (upon invitation only or following a presubmission enquiry), and there is no barrier to publication in our current portfolio of FEMS Journals.
In April 2020, we launched two new Open Access journals called FEMS Microbes and microLife. Both will as well welcome spontaneous submissions from everyone around the world.
As the journal of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM), microLife will be the platform for leading experts in microbiology, publishing outstanding papers of the highest standard, novelty, and significance. FEMS Microbes will be our new community journal for sharing research findings. In particular, it will be a venue for early career scientists to read, publish, and contribute.
- For more information about our two new Open Access journals: News release
- For more information about the Portfolio of FEMS Journals: FEMS Journals portal
How can people receive updated information about FEMS?
Anyone can subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive up-to-date information! There is the option to choose among (multiple choices possible):
- Affiliates Letter (news about microbiology and FEMS activities)
- Get Involved Bulletin (news about volunteering at FEMS)
- Alumni Bulletin (staying in touch with FEMS Grants)
- Education Bulletin (sharing education best practices)
For information related to journal content, you can sign up to alerts from our publisher Oxford University Press by selecting the corresponding journal. It just takes a few minutes!
How can you follow FEMS on social media?
We have social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow us to stay up-to-date with news relevant for the community, and feel free to share the accounts with your colleagues!
All but one of the FEMS journals are now fully open access (OA), with one journal, FEMS Microbiology Letters remaining a subscription journal with free-to-publish and OA options. Open access is key to supporting the FEMS mission of disseminating high quality research as widely as possible: when high quality, peer reviewed sound science is open access, anyone, anywhere in the world with an internet connection, can read it.
