EFSD and Japan Diabetes Society (JDS) Reciprocal Travel Research Fellowship Programme

Background

The objective of the EFSD and JDS Reciprocal Travel Research Fellowship Programme is to encourage collaborative research in the field of diabetes. Applications for Fellowships may be accepted from any single, non-profit institution or group of affiliated institutions from Europe, associated countries and from Japan (for detailed country list, please see here).

The Fellowship shall be used for a scientific project, and enable applicants from Japan to travel to Europe or its associated countries and applicants from Europe or its associated countries to travel to Japan. The host institution must be a recognised research institution and applicants should have demonstrated their ability in the field of diabetes research.

Fellowships

Up to four Fellowships will be awarded, each in the sum of up to Euro 50,000 (fifty thousand) for the applicants from Europe or 5 million Japanese Yen for the applicants from Japan. The money awarded will be paid into the account of the recipients’ home institution.

Please note that the budgeted amount must not exceed Euro 50,000 or 5 million Japanese Yen.

The scientific project will be up to twelve months in length with some extra time allowed to complete a language course. An extension up to twelve months may be granted without additional funding. For this, an official written request must be submitted and approved by the EFSD/JDS office not later than two months before completion of the initial period.

The budget may include items such as salaries, travel, sustenance and consumables. The recipients must start the Fellowship within six months of notification.

Application Process

Applications may be made by any scientist or clinician who is working in a postdoctoral position, with no age restriction. Each applicant will need to provide a letter of support from both the home and the host institution. (Examples for institutions willing to accept international researchers can be found here).

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. Please refer to the User Guide to learn more about the application process and key functionalities of the EFSD Programme Portal.

Required documents include: 

1. Research Plan EFSD/JDS Fellowship (download template)
2. Biographical sketch of the applicant (maximum 3 pages)
3. Collaborator Statement (download template)
4. List of Abstracts from any other support, pending or current (if applicable)
5. Signatures and Declaration (download template)
6. Institution non-profit status (bylaws and governing document certifying non-profit status of your institution)
7. Letters of Support from current supervisor/mentor at home institution and future supervisor/mentor at host institution:
   1. For all applications, please attach a letter of support from your current supervisor/mentor
   2. If you are intending to more to another institution to carry out this project, a second letter of support must be attached from your future supervisor/mentor at that host institution

IMPORTANT! Letters must be dated, printed and signed on institutional letterhead

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

EFSD Programme Portal 

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 given instructions will not be considered for review.

Schedule

Announcement: April 2026

Application Deadline: 1 July 2026

Anticipated Award: September 2026

Enquiries

Enquiries should be directed to foundation@easd.org.