European Association for the Study of Diabetes

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) is an international scientific membership association devoted to advancing research, education and professional exchange in diabetes and related metabolic disorders. It was founded in 1965 in Montecatini Terme, Italy, with Joseph Hoet serving as its founding president. Although European in name and institutional identity, the association has an international reach, bringing together physicians, scientists, laboratory researchers, nurses, students and other professionals interested in diabetes. EASD’s central purpose is to encourage and support diabetes research, accelerate the circulation of scientific knowledge and help translate research findings into clinical and practical use. Its activities combine membership services, scientific publishing, annual congresses, postgraduate education, specialist study groups, prizes and research-support activities. The association is governed through a General Assembly of members and an elected Executive Committee consisting of between five and nine members. Active members with appropriate medical or scientific qualifications and current dues are entitled to vote and may stand for election to the association’s governing bodies. A major part of EASD’s public profile is its annual meeting, which is held in a different European city each year. The meeting attracts approximately 17,000 to 18,000 participants from more than 100 countries, making it a major forum for the presentation and discussion of diabetes research. Abstracts are submitted by members and non-members and are anonymously assessed by a programme committee. The association also makes accepted abstracts and conference content available through online programme resources. Since 2012, its virtual meeting format has provided online access to talks and posters, extending the reach of the congress beyond the host city. Travel awards are offered to help younger presenting researchers attend. EASD is closely associated with Diabetologia, its official scientific journal, which publishes clinical and experimental research in diabetes and metabolism, together with rapid communications and reviews. Members receive the journal as part of the association’s membership benefits. EASD also supports professional development through the EASD Scientists Training Course, the Robert Turner Clinical Research Course, European and extra-European postgraduate courses, and collaborative educational activities with organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Its postgraduate education network has operated courses and workshops across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Specialist research communities operate through EASD study groups covering areas including diabetes and cancer, diabetic pregnancy, neuropathy, eye complications, nephropathy, epidemiology, nutrition, psychosocial care, the diabetic foot, primary care, genetics, cardiovascular disease, islet biology, incretin research, diabetes education, fatty liver disease and artificial insulin delivery systems. These groups help connect researchers and clinicians around focused scientific topics. The association also recognizes achievement through major annual awards and lectures, including the Camillo Golgi Prize, Claude Bernard Medal, Minkowski Prize, Albert Renold Prize Lecture and the EASD-Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence. In 1999, EASD created the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) to strengthen support for diabetes research in Europe. EFSD operates as a closely related, non-profit foundation governed by the EASD Executive Committee under the oversight of the General Assembly. Through the foundation and its grant programmes, the wider EASD structure supports peer-reviewed research funding and seeks to increase awareness of diabetes and its health burden. EASD also publishes or endorses evidence-informed positions on diabetes-related topics, including dietary guidance emphasizing fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetables and whole grains while limiting red and processed meat, refined grains, sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages.

EASD was established in 1965 at Montecatini Terme, Italy, with Joseph Hoet as its founding president. The association was created to provide an organized international platform for diabetes research and to promote the rapid exchange and practical application of knowledge in the field. Its membership model was built around individual participation rather than institutional membership, allowing medical professionals, scientists, laboratory workers, nurses and students from different countries to take part in the association’s activities. Over time, EASD developed a broad scientific and educational structure. Its annual meeting became the association’s principal gathering, moving among European cities and attracting researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world. The meeting’s abstract-review process used anonymous assessment, supporting a structured and merit-based scientific programme. The congress also became a platform for major lectures, awards and the presentation of new clinical and experimental findings. Digital publication of programmes and abstracts expanded access, while the virtual meeting introduced in 2012 allowed talks and posters to be viewed online without requiring all participants to travel. Scientific publishing became another core part of EASD’s identity through its relationship with Diabetologia, the association’s official journal. The journal covers clinical and experimental diabetes and metabolism and provides members with a continuing source of peer-reviewed research, rapid communications and review material. Alongside publishing and the annual meeting, EASD established training activities intended to develop the next generation of diabetes researchers and clinicians. These included the EASD Scientists Training Course, the Robert Turner Clinical Research Course, postgraduate courses and workshops held in European and non-European locations. The association also encouraged specialization through a network of study groups. Their subjects have expanded across major areas of diabetes science and care, including epidemiology, genetics, cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, eye disease, pregnancy, nutrition, cancer, primary care, psychosocial issues, the diabetic foot, islet biology and diabetes technology. These groups provide a framework for collaboration and focused scientific exchange. In 1999, EASD created the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes. The foundation was established to increase the resources available for diabetes research in Europe and operates on a non-profit basis under the governance of the EASD Executive Committee and the supervision of the association’s General Assembly. EFSD’s funding programmes are generally directed toward researchers in Europe and associated countries, although some programmes have broader eligibility, with applications evaluated through expert peer review. EASD’s recognition programme has developed alongside its research and education work. The association presents several major prizes and lectures each year, honoring significant contributions to diabetes research and providing award recipients with a prominent platform at the annual meeting. It also supports participation by early-career researchers through travel funding. Today, EASD remains an active international professional association with more than 3,000 active members reported from over 100 countries, combining scientific communication, training, networking, professional recognition and research-support activities.

• 2012

  Virtual meeting introduced

  [1]European Association for the Study of Diabetesen.wikipedia.org

  EASD began offering online access to conference talks and posters through its virtual meeting format.

• 1999

  European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes established

  [1]European Association for the Study of Diabetesen.wikipedia.org

  EASD created the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes to expand support for diabetes research in Europe through non-profit, peer-reviewed funding programmes.

• 1965

  Association founded in Italy

  [1]European Association for the Study of Diabetesen.wikipedia.org

  The European Association for the Study of Diabetes was founded in Montecatini Terme, Italy, with Joseph Hoet as founding president.

A Europe-rooted, internationally oriented scientific society connecting diabetes researchers, clinicians and allied professionals through research dissemination, education, specialist networks, recognition and funding support.

• Scientific congress

  EASD Annual Meeting

  EASD’s principal annual scientific gathering is hosted in a different European city each year and brings together approximately 17,000 to 18,000 participants from more than 100 countries. The programme includes submitted abstracts, lectures, symposia, posters and award lectures. Abstracts are assessed anonymously by a programme committee, and accepted content is made available through online programme tools.

• Scientific journal

  Diabetologia

  Diabetologia is the official journal associated with EASD and publishes clinical and experimental research concerning diabetes and metabolism. It also carries rapid communications and review articles. Active EASD members receive the journal as part of their membership benefits.

• Research training

  EASD Scientists Training Course

  An annual training programme intended to attract and develop new talent in diabetes research. It forms part of EASD’s broader postgraduate education activities and is directed toward researchers at an early or developing stage of their careers.

• Clinical education

  Robert Turner Clinical Research Course

  An annual EASD educational course focused on clinical research in diabetes. It complements the association’s laboratory and scientific training activities by supporting the development of clinicians and investigators working on clinical questions.

• Scientific networks

  EASD Study Groups

  A network of specialist communities addressing focused areas of diabetes research and care, including epidemiology, genetics, cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, eye complications, pregnancy, nutrition, cancer, primary care, psychosocial care, the diabetic foot, islet biology and diabetes technology.

• Research funding · 1999

  European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes programmes

  Research-support programmes delivered through the closely related European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes. Funding opportunities are generally aimed at researchers in Europe and associated countries, with applications reviewed by expert panels; certain programmes may be open internationally.

1. 1European Association for the Study of Diabetesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2European Association for the Study of Diabetes official websiteeasd.org