About the EFSD

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.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an independent Danish foundation with corporate interests. The Foundation has two objectives: 1) to provide a stable basis for the commercial and research activities of the companies in the Novo Group; and 2) to support scientific, humanitarian and social causes. The vision of the Novo Nordisk Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet.

Rationale and Intended Purpose

Young investigators face a major challenge in the transition from postdoctoral/clinical fellow to their first tenured faculty position. It is hard to gain significant and truly independent funding at this career stage, yet such support is critical to advance up the academic ladder, especially in Europe. Action is needed now to avoid a generation gap that would severely compromise future European excellence in diabetes research.

The EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Award Programme is intended to

• Identify outstanding clinical and basic scientists in European diabetes research at a critical stage in their career
• Support them in their transition to a tenured academic appointment in diabetes research in Europe
• Foster their development into the leaders of tomorrow.

Candidates

Candidates for an EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Award will already have a track record of excellence and achievement in their chosen area of diabetes research. They must demonstrate through their published work (with clear indication of the role of the applicant), previous competitive (national and international) funding, membership of editorial boards, teaching and extra-curricular activities and any other relevant information that they have the aim and potential to become part of the next generation of leaders in European diabetes research.

Applicants must be scientists and clinicians at an intermediate stage of their career, with 7-12 years of experience since completion of their most recent degree (PhD or MD), and a scientific track record demonstrating continued research activity before the start of the EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Award Programme. The time since the last degree may not exceed 12 years before 1 January in the year the programme is awarded.

Eligibility can be extended for reasons such as maternity, paternity, illness, national service, clinical training, natural disasters, or asylum, if clearly described (further documentation may be requested at the discretion of EFSD).

Applicants must work in a university or hospital, or another non-profit research institution in any country in the European region or its associated countries throughout the tenure of the Grant, and should provide clear evidence of their intention to pursue an academic career in Europe (for detailed country list, please see here).

Awards

Up to four awards will be made each year. EFSD and the Novo Nordisk Foundation reserve the right to predetermine the respective number of clinical and basic scientists receiving awards.

Awards will be of 5-year duration subject to satisfactory progress.

Awards (to both clinicians and basic scientists) will be made in a total amount of up to Danish Kroner (DKK) 5 million (~ €670,000) to be paid to the awardee’s institution in 5 annual instalments of up to DKK 1 million (~ €134,000).

Depending on individual needs and as justified in a detailed budget, funds may be used to cover part or all of the awardee’s salary, other salaries (i.e. technician or postdoctoral fellow) and direct research expenses.

The Grant may include administrative support, which constitutes an amount of up to 5% of the total Grant to cover expenses related to the administration of the Grant, specifically regarding accounting, controlling, auditing and reporting. All grant agreements will be made between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the awardee’s place of employment. The Grant may not be used to cover any overhead expenses.

The first annual instalment will be payable in full at the start of the award.

In subsequent years, by the end of each individual project year, the Grant Recipient and the Awardee shall submit a financial report in the Grant Management System, NORMA, to the Foundation and then submit the report to EFSD, covering the annual accounts and the budget for the Project. This will be evaluated by an independent committee of experts selected by the EFSD (the Review Committee) and continued funding will be dependent upon satisfactory scientific progress and involvement in recommended associated activities (see below). In the event of unsatisfactory performance, EFSD and the Novo Nordisk Foundation may decide to terminate funding.

In addition, every year, awardees will submit a report on the project outcomes (including activities and recognitions as mentioned below) to EFSD and Novo Nordisk Foundation. These reports on the longer-term outcomes of the award, and specifically on the awardee’s academic career, will be submitted for up to five years after the project has finished.

Awardees are required to submit a final scientific and financial report at the end of their award.

Associated Activities and Recognition

All awardees are expected to serve as ambassadors for the Programme throughout the course of their award by performing several dissemination activities. These include but are not limited to:

1. Participation in the EASD Annual Meeting to make a first personal connection with EFSD and Novo Nordisk Foundation representatives, and to receive the certificate for the Award. Additionally, the Awardee must make one oral presentation at the “EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Symposium”, which is an integral part of the scientific programme of the EASD Annual Meeting.
2. In case the Awardee’s profile matches EASD education and training activities, the Awardee must be available and engage in such education and training activities.
3. Visit(s) to schools or universities to promote diabetes research as a career opportunity.
4. Making public presentation(s) about diabetes research at local or international events.
5. Participation in special press events organised by EFSD and/or the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The Awardees shall be announced and recognised at the EASD Annual Meeting during the EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Symposium.

Application Process

All applications must include:

• A letter of motivation from the candidate to include career plans, a brief description of the scientific project and a summary of previous scientific achievements.
• A strong letter of support from the candidate’s institution with a well-defined long-term career plan to include specific mention of terms of employment during the 5-year period of the award and details of direct financial support for research to be made available.
• For clinical scientists, a clear commitment from the academic institution and/or associated hospital will be required to guarantee them sufficient time to pursue their research project.
• Two letters of support from senior scientists outside of the candidate’s institution.
• A description of the research project to be undertaken during the course of the 5-year award with a clear timeline and deliverables.
• Curriculum vitae from the applicant including list of publications with clear indication of the role of the applicant, awards and honours, previous competitive funding, membership of editorial boards and leadership committees, teaching and extra-curricular activities.
• Detailed budget.

All written applications will be reviewed by the Review Committee. Applications may be subjected to pre-review (or triage) procedures where all applications will be reviewed and scored by up to three members of the Review Committee who have declared no conflict of interest. The most competitive (highest scored applications) will be taken forward to full review. Only candidates reaching the full review stage will receive a written critique.

Based on evaluation of the written application, the Review Committee will draw up a shortlist of leading candidates for teleconference interview and final funding decisions will be based on evaluation of the written application and performance at interview.

The deadline for receipt of applications for funding this year is 2 March 2026.

All budgets are to be prepared in DKK. Awards will be payable in this same currency and will NOT be adjusted for any alteration in the exchange rate between DKK and the local currency in the place of the award. The exchange rate (between DKK and the local currency) used for calculating the DKK budget must be mentioned under “Budget Justification”.

Acknowledgments

The award must be acknowledged in all publications, scientific presentations or participation in any of the above activities as: “Supported by an EFSD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders Award” and through a unique Novo Nordisk Foundation grant number.

Administration and funding

The Programme will be administered by EFSD, including the application, review and yearly evaluation processes.

Awards will be paid to the awardee’s institution by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Schedule

Announcement: December 2025

Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

Anticipated Award: July 2026

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