"Diabetes affects more than 371 million people worldwide and diabetes remains undiagnosed in up to 50% of cases," said Prof. Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are delighted to partner with the EFSD on this initiative and hope the grant encourages and supports new research in the field of diabetes."

The joint diabetes grant programme will focus on two areas of interest in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the programmes and will welcome proposals which target the following:

1. Regulations of secretion and/or function of non-insulin peptides from the endocrine pancreas. (Basic research)
2. Mechanisms relating renal dysfunction to cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. (Clinical Research)

The EFSD/Boehringer Ingelheim European Diabetes Research Programmes will consider funding of basic research projects up to 100,000 euros in total for projects lasting up to 2 years, and clinical research projects up to 400,000 euros in total for projects up to 3 years in duration.Funding applications for research projects will be accepted until 1 April 2013.

"The EFSD is proud to collaborate once again with Boehringer Ingelheim on this important research initiative," said Dr. Viktor Joergens, Executive Director and Vice Director, EFSD. "Ensuring sufficient funding for diabetes research in Europe is vital and we hope that this partnership leads the way to provide invaluable contributions to diabetes research."

Applications are invited from single non-profit institutions or groups of institutions in Europe and will be subject to a scientific review by a specialised and independent committee. The ad hoc committee will review the grant applications on criteria such as significance, approach and innovation. Researchers who are interested in applying for a grant can download an application form from www.EuropeanDiabetesFoundation.org.

The deadline for submissions is 1 April 2013 and the anticipated award date is in June 2013.

About Diabetes
An estimated 371 million people worldwide have Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.(1) Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 90% of all diabetes cases.(2) Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body either does not properly produce, or use, the hormone insulin.(3)

About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act with social responsibility. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavours.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 13.2 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.

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 multiple 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.

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas Poster. 2012 Update. 2012(5th Edition).
2. World Health Organization: Fact Sheet No. 312 What is Diabetes?, 2010.
3. International Diabetes Federation. What is Diabetes?. IDF Diabetes Atlas. 2011(5th Edition).