The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) was created by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) to provide funding initiatives in all areas of diabetes research. The aims of EFSD are to encourage and support research in the field of diabetes, to rapidly diffuse acquired knowledge and to facilitate its application.

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 69,00 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries.

Programme and Research Focus

To achieve the goals and objectives of this Programme, EFSD and Novo Nordisk invite applications by issuing this “Request for Applications” (RFA). The Programme is supported by Novo Nordisk through a donation.

The EFSD/Novo Nordisk Programme for Diabetes Research in Europe will accept applications from all fields of diabetes research including both basic and clinical research.

Mechanisms of Support and Review

Research will be supported through the award of grants generally up to Euro 100,000 for basic and/or clinical research projects. The definition of clinical research is a study performed in vivo in human individuals with focus on clinically relevant and diabetes-related topics.

Projects requiring higher funding than that specified above are also invited to apply to this Programme, i.e. applications may be submitted to complement funding for a larger project.

All projects need to provide comprehensive justification of their budget and a clear description of both, the requested amount from EFSD as well as the avialable funding for the project from other sources, if applicable (see Review Considerations).

In exceptional cases, applications for funding in an amount larger than Euro 100,000 and up to Euro 250,000 may be considered for funding. Here the additional relevant financial requirements need to be clearly justified and applicants should also indicate which part of the study will be feasible in the case of a Euro 100,000 award.

The duration of each award may be one year or longer, depending upon the needs of the project and as justified in the application.

Applications for an EFSD/Novo Nordisk grant are invited from single non-profit institutions or groups of such institutions from Europe and associated countries (for detailed country list, please see here). The Principal Investigator and any Co-Investigators must be employed at a non-profit institution in Europe or associated countries and the study must be performed at their place of work.

Applications will be subject to a scientific review by a specialised and independent ad hoc committee. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and approved for funding by May 2026.

Prior to any final decision on funding, and in order to offer applicants the opportunity to benefit from the review process, EFSD reserve the right to request revision to applications in accordance with the recommendations of the Review Committee.

EFSD may, at the suggestion of the Review Committee, recommend an award in a different amount from that requested, but which is considered more appropriate for the proposed studies.

Research Grant Applications

Applications for research grants may be subjected to pre-review (or triage) procedures. In this event, any application rejected at pre-review will not be subject to a complete scientific review, and no feedback report will be provided to the applicant.  

The deadline for receipt of research grant applications for funding is 2 February 2026.

All budgets are to be prepared in Euro. For countries in which the Euro is not the common currency, the exchange rate (between the Euro and the local currency in the country where the work is to be performed) used for calculating the Euro budget must be mentioned under “Budget Justification”.

Please ensure all required documents are accurately completed, properly formatted, and ready for upload before submitting your application. Applications missing any mandatory documents will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the User Guide to complete and submit your application.

Required documents include:

1. Research Plan - Grants
2. Signatures and Declaration - Grants
3. Proof of institution’s non-profit status (bylaws or governing document)
4. Principal Investigator's biographical sketch (maximum 3 pages)
5. Co-investigator's biographical sketch (maximum 3 pages)
6. Collaborative Agreements
7. List of abstracts for any current or pending support (if applicable)

Applications for this programme must be submitted in the EFSD programme portal which is available via the EFSD platform:

All applications must be prepared on the official application form in the EFSD programme portal and completed in strict accordance with the detailed instructions to be found there. Applications which do not comply with the instructions given in the application system will not be considered for review.

Please submit your application in the EFSD Programme Portal before 12:00 midday (CET) on the deadline date: 2 February 2026. 

Review Consideration

Completed applications will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate scientific committee.

Review criteria are as follows:

• Significance: Does the study address an important problem?  If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced?  What will be the effect of the proposed studies on human disease understanding and on the concepts or methods that drive this field?
• Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods?  Are the aims original and innovative?  Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
• Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project?  Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
• Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work?  Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers, if any?
• Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success?  Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?  Is there evidence of institutional support?
• Budget: Is the requested budget appropriate for the proposed study? Is the requested duration suitable for completion of the project?
• Contribution towards a larger research project: Is the work described in the application intended as part of a larger project? If so, is there any overlap? Is there a clear explanation how the new work will contribute towards the overall success of that larger project? Can financial feasibility be assessed (was a clear description given of the total costs of the whole project, the funding from other sources and the amount and purpose of the requested EFSD funding)?

AI based application success predictor

EFSD awards are peer reviewed by panels of international diabetes research experts, and competitive applications tend to share these strong predictors of success:

🔹 1. Clear Relevance to Diabetes Biology, Treatment or Complications

Proposals must focus on advancing fundamental understanding or clinical management of diabetes or related conditions, including mechanisms of disease, prevention, therapy, care delivery, or monitoring. europeandiabetesfoundation.org

Success tactic:
Frame projects around clear diabetes-specific questions and show how the results will move the field forward.

🔹 2. Scientific Innovation & Originality

EFSD reviewers look for novel hypotheses, innovative methods, or unique conceptual frameworks that extend beyond incremental research. Trialect

Success tactic:
Emphasise what makes your approach new and why this could change understanding or practice.

🔹 3. Rigorous Methodological Design & Feasibility

Strong study design — including appropriate statistical plans, well-defined outcomes, and feasible timelines within the requested funding period — is critical for credibility and score. Trialect

Success tactic:
Include clear workplans, milestones, and data analysis strategies that reviewers can assess easily.

🔹 4. Investigator Track Record & Institutional Support

Especially for Future Leaders and Young Investigator awards, panels weigh the candidate’s publication record, prior funding, leadership potential, and institutional backing. Novo Nordisk Fonden

Success tactic:
Document your diabetes research contributions and show evidence of supportive infrastructure or mentorship.

🔹 5. Alignment with Programme Goals

Each scheme has specific aims — e.g., long-term leadership for Future Leaders vs early research momentum for Rising Star or project relevance for basic/clinical grants. europeandiabetesfoundation.org

Success tactic:
Tailor applications to the particular objectives and eligibility criteria of the award you’re applying to.

🔹 6. Clarity & Quality of Proposal Writing

Clear, logically structured narratives that highlight significance, innovation, feasibility, and impact are easier for reviewers to score highly. Trialect

Success tactic:
Use straightforward language, defined aims, and a concise impact statement that connects to broader diabetes challenges.

🔹 7. Demonstrated Impact or Translation Plan

For clinical and translational grants, showing a credible path to impact — how findings will be used in practice or influence future research — strengthens competitiveness. europeandiabetesfoundation.org

Success tactic:
Articulate the potential for clinical application or translational uptake where applicable.

🧠 Practical Tips Before Applying

✔ Check eligibility and deadlines early — EFSD offers multiple programmes with varying requirements; the annual calendar (e.g., Feb/March deadlines) is published online. europeandiabetesfoundation.org
✔ Engage mentors and institutional support — strong letters and institutional commitment help for career awards.
✔ Connect to EASD membership where required (some awards require EASD membership). Novo Nordisk Fonden
✔ Align with strategic priorities — tailor aims to match EFSD calls (e.g., type 1 vs type 2 vs digital health themes).
✔ Use past funded projects as benchmarks — review recipients to understand typical scope and quality. europeandiabetesfoundation.org

📌 Summary: EFSD Success Factors