EFSD and Lilly Young Investigator Research Award Programme
Research awards for early-career researchers up to 7 years after their last degree to support innovative research on diabetes and complications with funding of EUR 50,000; submission deadline 17/02/2026 via the EFSD Programme Portal.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The awards aim to promote innovative research in the fields of diabetes and its complications and to support excellence in the medical training of young scientists.
Eligible to apply
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Up to 7 years since last degree (PhD, MSc or MD)
- No permanent employment
- Employment at a non-profit institution in Europe or associated countries
- Extension possible for reasons such as parental leave, illness, military service or asylum
Documents required for application
- Research Plan (Fellowships Template)
- Signatures and Declaration – Fellowship
- Proof of Non-Profit Status of the Institution
- Biographical Sketch (max. 3 pages)
- Collaborative Agreements
- Letters of Support
- List of Abstracts of Current or Proposed Funding
Description
The EFSD and Lilly Young Investigator Research Award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers who, within seven years of their last academic degree, advance innovative projects in the field of diabetes and its complications at non-profit institutions in Europe. With a prize money of €50,000 each, visionary approaches in basic, clinical, and translational research are supported, and the excellence of young scientists in medical training is strengthened. An extension of the deadline since the last degree is possible in cases of maternity, illness, national service, or similar reasons, provided there is no permanent employment. Selection is made by an independent scientific committee that evaluates both the originality and feasibility of the proposed projects.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the EFSD Programme Portal by February 17, 2026, 12:00 CET. Required documents include, among others, a detailed research plan following the provided template, a biographical sketch (max. 3 pages), proof of the institution’s non-profit status, cooperative agreements with confirmation letters from all contributors, as well as an overview of current and requested third-party funding. The formal application submission includes a fully completed signature and declaration statement. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format in the required order. Awardees are expected to be notified in May 2026 and may subsequently present their results at a scientific event organized by Lilly.
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