In April 2026, the EBMT General Assembly approved amendments to the EBMT Bylaws, marking an important step in the organisation’s ongoing governance transformation.
These changes strengthen EBMT’s strategic oversight, clarify decision-making responsibilities, and enhance coordination across scientific and operational activities - enabling EBMT to better support its mission and serve its community.
Stronger strategic governance
Under the updated governance model, the Board of Association has a clearer strategic role and is explicitly responsible for: approving EBMT’s multi-year strategic plan; reviewing organisational priorities and operational plans on a regular basis; and overseeing major decisions with financial, regulatory, compliance, or reputational impact.
This reinforces accountability and ensures closer alignment between strategy and execution.
Clearer risk oversight
The updated bylaws also strengthen EBMT’s approach to risk governance.
The Board of Association will formally define and oversee EBMT’s “risk appetite,” covering both financial and non-financial risks. This provides a more consistent framework for evaluating major decisions and organisational priorities.
A more coordinated, science-led operating model
A key operational development is the establishment of the Project Management Office (PMO).
Many members and partners engage with EBMT through studies, grants, data requests, registries, and scientific collaborations. The PMO will serve as a central coordination point for these activities, helping ensure: clearer processes, improved alignment across projects, better resource coordination, and more efficient delivery of initiatives.
The objective is to make collaboration with EBMT more predictable, streamlined, and effective while maintaining high scientific and operational standards.
The PMO is led by Chief Medical Officer Isabel Sánchez-Ortega, with Managing Director Yann Mahé and scientific leadership from Antonio Risitano and Krzysztof Kalwak closely involved. The PMO reports to EBMT President Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha and the Executive Committee.
Membership and Certification clarification
The Bylaws amendment clarifies that full EBMT Member Centres are required to submit a minimum set of data on all patients treated in their centre on an annual basis.
The status of Associate Member Centres remains unchanged: they continue as non-voting members while retaining participation in studies and access to defined membership benefits.
In addition, a specific sentence relating to the certification eligibility of Associate Member Centres has been removed from the bylaws to ensure consistency with applicable rules and policies.
What this means for EBMT’s Members and Partners:
Clearer governance and decision-making across EBMT
Better coordination of studies, grants, and collaborations
More efficient and predictable operational processes
Stronger alignment between scientific priorities and execution
Enhanced oversight, accountability, and strategic planning
EBMT Governance Structure
EBMT operates through an integrated governance and scientific framework designed to support strategic oversight, scientific leadership, and effective operational delivery.
- The General Assembly retains voting authority on key approvals and elections.
- The Board of Association provides strategic direction and governance oversight.
- The Executive Committee oversees implementation and operational management.
- The Scientific Council leads scientific and educational priorities through its Working Parties.
- The Project Management Office supports coordination and delivery across EBMT programmes and collaborations.
General Assembly
The General Assembly is composed of the Principal Investigators of full EBMT Member Centres and retains voting authority on elections and key organisational approvals.
Board of Association
The Board of Association is EBMT’s main governing body, responsible for strategic direction, governance oversight, policy approval, and risk supervision.
It ensures that EBMT operates in line with its mission, vision, and values.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee oversees implementation of EBMT’s strategy and supports the effective management of scientific, operational, and governance activities across the organisation.
Project Management Office
The PMO coordinates EBMT’s scientific projects and operational activities, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and supporting effective collaboration and delivery.
Scientific Council
The Scientific Council is EBMT’s primary scientific and educational body. It defines scientific priorities, evaluates activities, and supports the advancement of research and education across EBMT.