About Spotlight on Young Researchers
Spotlight on Young Researchers was launched in 2016 with the goal of promoting the stories and research of early-career scientists across the globe with a connection to Luxembourg. Since 2016, over 135 features have been published in a wide range of scientific fields. From swimming wih dolphins, research into diseases, drones, space, Artificial Intelligence (AI), history, education, migration patterns of endangered birds – Spotlight has featured countless fields of research.
How does it work?
Once per year a call for submissions is launched, usually with a deadline in the Spring. 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 22 April 2025. 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, Youtube) 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.
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.
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!
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 or technician
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.
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. This is a great opportunity to get training talking about your research on camera. You will be provided with a short script in advance of the filming, which is based on the answers you provide in your submission.
View the Spotlight on Young Researchers Youtube playlistHow 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 Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
Download your submission formLatest Spotlight on Young Researcher features + videos
Related highlights
Spotlight on Young Researchers: Advancing ecosystem monitoring with remote sensing and innovative models
The health of terrestrial ecosystems is intricately linked to the sustainability and stability of society: forests, grasslands, and cropland, play…
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Spotlight on Young Researchers: Unravelling the role of calcium signalling to overcome melanoma drug resistance
Cutaneous melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and the sixth most frequent cancer in Europe. Despite progress…
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Spotlight on Young Researchers: Advancing sustainable land use
Industry, agriculture and waste disposal all cause soil pollution, a threat to both ecosystems and human health. Environmental scientists and…
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Spotlight on Young Researchers: Toward greener AI
Deep learning has seen an explosive growth and as it is now being relied upon in areas such as healthcare,…
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Spotlight on Young Researchers: Combining machine learning & life events data to predict depression
A high number of people experience experiences depression in older age. Factors such as childhood conditions, adult life trajectories, and…
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Spotlight on Young Researchers: Probiotics to the rescue
Billions of living microorganisms live in the human gut microbiome. Research has shown that an imbalanced microbiome plays a role…
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Spotlight Revisited
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.
Were you featured in Spotlight in 2017 or later and want to update your story? Get in touch with Emily Iversen on emily.iversen@fnr.lu