The 37th Council meeting of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies took place in Prague on September 25, 2010. FEMS brings together 46 member societies from 36 European countries, covering over thirty thousand microbiologists. Members may apply for research fellowships, visiting scientist grants, young scientist meeting grants and/or support when organizing a meeting. These benefits are restricted to members only. FEMS facilitates the exchange of scientific knowledge to all microbiologists in Europe and worldwide by publihing five microbiology journals. Grants Board Meeting was held in Prague on March 3-4, 2011. FEMS provided Meeting Attendance Grants to young European scientists wishing to attend meetings that are not supported by a FEMS Meetings Grant. The maximum amount of this grant is 600 €. and Jaroslav Spížek.