Research

The FFRD is proud to allocate over 80% of its expenses to research and is pleased to support high-quality research in francophone diabetology for over a decade.

The basic research projects funded by the FFRD have addressed major themes related to both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, such as:

  • The protection and replacement of pancreatic beta cells,
  • Molecular mechanisms contributing to insulin resistance,
  • Implications of other key organs: the liver, adipose tissue, intestine,
  • The contribution of the microbiota to metabolic diseases.

The clinical research projects, on the other hand, have addressed themes related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes. They involve large multicenter cohort clinical studies, and their investigations are more mechanistic and/or interventional.

Several of the projects funded by the FFRD have specifically studied:

  • The role of the intestine and the microbiota
  • The role of epigenetics

The research projects supported by the FFRD complement the projects led by the SFD (French Society of Diabetes). These are large-scale, internationally oriented projects that primarily meet five criteria: scientific originality, feasibility, financial adequacy, scientific relevance of the project and international competitiveness.

Call for Projects

The call for applications for the FFRD Research Grants 2025 will open on Monday February 17th!

For this twelfth edition, FFRD plans to support 2 or 3 clinical, basic and translational research projects, with grants up to €300,000, each.

This call for projects is intended for FRENCH-SPEAKING researchers only.

Applications must be submitted exclusively IN ENGLISH, in PDF format only.

You can already download the submission assistance form.

Submiting a project

‼️ CALL FOR PROJECTS 2024 OPEN ‼️

Visit our SUBMISSION PLATFORM to discover all details and requirements, create your account and submit your application.

 

📑 Formulaire de soumission : to download, complete and submit with your application file.

📝 Formulaire d’aide à la soumission : to download in order to help you with your application submission.

 

🚦 You have until Monday, May 12, 11:59 PM to submit your application file 🚦

 

Direct access

▶️  Create your account (1st connection)

▶️  Login (once your account is created)

 

💡 You can log back in, update your information, and save your progress as many times as you wish.

 

TO APPLY

Recipients

This year two candidates are recipients of the FFRD 2024 Ressearch Grants :

Translational Research Project
Pierre GOURDY
Pierre GOURDY

Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases Institute, Inserm, CHU in Toulouse

Projet :

Characterizing adipose tissue dysfunction associated with obesity in patients with type 1 diabetes: towards an improved prediction of cardiovascular risk

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Alfonso GALDERISI
Alfonso GALDERISI

Robert Debré, Hospital, University Paris Cité

Projet :

Verapamil in Preclinical type 1 diabetes: the VIP-1 Study

Plus de détails

300 000 €

View formers recipients

FFRD’s receipients

Here are the former FFRD‘s recipients:

2023

Basic Research Project
Soraya TALEB
Soraya TALEB

PARCC, INSERM, Hôpital G. Pompidou, Paris

Projet :

Exploration and modulation of trained immunity in insulin resistance related to obesity.

Plus de détails

200 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Olivier BOURRON
Olivier BOURRON

INSERM, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris

Projet :

Impact of metformin on peripheral and coronary arterial calcifications in type 1 diabetes.

Plus de détails

200 000 €

Translational Research Project
Mikaël CROYAL
Mikaël CROYAL

INSERM, Institut du Thorax, Nantes

Projet :

Glycation of apolipoproteins in diabetes and its impact on cardiovascular diseases.

Plus de détails

200 000 €

2022

Basic Research Project
Soazig LE LAY
Soazig LE LAY

Inserm, Thorax Institute in Nantes (France)

Projet :

« Adiponectin-enriched extracellular vesicles: an innovative biotherapeutic approach for diabetes treatment ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Jacques BELTRAND
Jacques BELTRAND

Sick Children Necker Hospital in Paris (France)

Projet :

Project: « Evaluation of the effects of tight glycemic control on cognitive functions in children living with type 1 diabetes: comparison between open loop and closed loop insulin administration ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2021

Basic Research Project
Mariana IGOILLO-ESTEVE
Mariana IGOILLO-ESTEVE

Inserm, ULCB Center for Diabetes in Bruxelles (Belgium)

Projet :

« Unveiling the contribution of TRMT10A déficience-mediated tRNA fragmentation and impaire m6A methylation to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Étienne LARGER
Étienne LARGER

ARDRM, Hôpital Cochin, Paris

Projet :

Diabète de type 1 avec un seul auto-anticorps : est-ce (toujours) une maladie auto-immune ?

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2020

Clinical Research Project
Rémi RABASA-LHORET
Rémi RABASA-LHORET

Montreal Clinical Research Institute – IRCM (Canada)

Projet :

« Identification of dysglycemia with continuous glucose monitoring: A prospective study to assess the relationship with clinical evolution in cystic fibrosis ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Basic Research Project
Julien DIANA
Julien DIANA

Inserm Research Director in Paris (Paris)

Projet :

« Reshaping the gut microbiota with antimicrobial peptides to prevent type 1 diabetes ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2019

Translational Research Project
Xavier PRIEUR
Xavier PRIEUR

University in Nantes (France)

Projet :

« Seipin deficiency as a model of adipocyte dysfunction ».

Plus de détails

150 000 €

Basic Research Project
Miriam CNOP
Miriam CNOP

Center for Diabetes Research – ULB in Brussels (Belgium)

Projet :

“Modeling Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Diabetes Using Human Beta Cells Derived from Stem Cells.”

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Kamel MOHAMMEDI
Kamel MOHAMMEDI

Faculty of Medicine – University Hospital in Bordeaux (France)

Projet :

« Prognostic determinants in patients with Diabetic Food ulcer – A French prospective multi center cohort ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Translational Research Project
Guillaume WALTHER
Guillaume WALTHER

Cardiovascular Laboratory University in Avignon (France)

Projet :

« Are non-nutritive sweeteners safe? To decipher the effect on glucose metabolism and vascular function ».

Plus de détails

150 000 €

2018

Translational Research Project
Hubert VIDAL
Hubert VIDAL

Inserm, Inra, University in Lyon (France)

Projet :

« PROBIODIAB: Probiotics as a new treatment for type 2 diabetes ». (video)

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Basic Research Project
Fabienne FOUFELLE
Fabienne FOUFELLE

Cordeliers Research Center in Paris (France)

Projet :

« Dihydrocermaides: novel actors involved in Non alcoholic fatty liver diseases and type 2 diabetes progression ». (video)

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Agnès LEHUEN
Agnès LEHUEN

Cochin Institute in Paris (France)

Projet :

« Crosstalk between MAIT cells and the gut microbe and mucosa in the development of type 1 diabetes in children ».(video)

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2017

Basic Research Project
Raphael SCHARFMANN
Raphael SCHARFMANN

Inserm Research Director in Paris (Paris)

Projet :

« Reconstructing human pancreatic organogenesis ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Philippe FROGUEL
Philippe FROGUEL

Regional University Hospital Center in Lille (France)

Projet :

« The epigenetic impact of gestational diabetes mellitus on mother type 2 diabetes risk and offspring health: a system biology ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2016

Translational Research Project
Nicolas VENTECLEF
Nicolas VENTECLEF

Inserm UMR_S1138, Cordeliers Research Center in Paris (France)

Projet :

« Decoding a specific epigenetic signature that sensitizes T2D susceptibility ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Emmanuel COSSON
Emmanuel COSSON

Jean Verdier Hospital in Bondy (France)

Projet :

” Reduction of insulin therapy under myo-inositol for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus: a Randomized Multicenter and Prospective Trial”.

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Basic Research Project
David DOMBROWICZ
David DOMBROWICZ

Inserm, Pasteur Institute in Lille (France)

Projet :

« Treg-specific regulation of T2 diabetes by the nuclear receptor RORalpha ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2015

Basic Research Project
Roberto MALLONE
Roberto MALLONE

Inserm, Cochin Institute in Paris (France)

Projet :

« Oral vaccination with preproinsulin coupled to Fc for the immunotherapy of type 1 diabetes. ».

Plus de détails

200 000 €

Clinical Research Project
François PATTOU
François PATTOU

University Hospital in Lille (France)

Projet :

« The role of intestine in type 2 diabetes remission after gastric bypass surgery ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Eugène SOBNGWI
Eugène SOBNGWI

Central Hospital in Yaounde (Cameroun)

Projet :

« Unravelling the pathophysiology of Comorbid Infectious diseases and DIAbetes: the CINDIA study ».

Plus de détails

150 000 €

Basic Research Project
Daniela COTA
Daniela COTA

Inserm, NeuroCenter Magendie in Bordeaux (France)

Projet :

« The hypothalamic bile acid membrane receptor TGR5 as novel mechanism underlying the role of bile acids in metabolic control ».

Plus de détails

150 000 €

2014

Translational Research Project
Rémy BURCELIN
Rémy BURCELIN

Inserm, Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse (France)

Projet :

« Characterization of the intestinal mucosal immune system in patients with visceral adiposity and type 2 diabetic: causal role of the corresponding microbiota ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Basic Research Project
Hélène DUEZ
Hélène DUEZ

Inserm, Pasteur Institute in Lille (France)

Projet :

« Role of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle Rev-erb-alpha in type 2 diabetes ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

2013

Basic Research Project
Romano REGAZZI
Romano REGAZZI

DFN University in Lausanne (Switzerland)

Projet :

« Role of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in determining the phenotype of beta cells and the development of diabetes. ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Clinical Research Project
Blandine COMTE
Blandine COMTE

INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix (France)

Projet :

« Role of the long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in the acquisition of the phenotype of b-cells and the development of diabetes ».

Plus de détails

300 000 €

Talking about FFRD

The recipients supported by the FFRD speak about it…

Jacques BELTRAND

Professeur of Pediatric Diabetology, Necker Enfants Malades Institute, Paris

Photo_Beltrand-J_2024_Light

Study of the effects of strict glycemic control on cognitive functions in children with newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes

Brain imaging data have highlighted the impact that glycemic variability can have on the development of gray and white matter in children’s brains. While fluctuations between hypo- and hyperglycemia do not affect a child’s psychomotor and intellectual development, significant glycemic variability could influence the acquisition of highly specific brain functions. New automated insulin delivery systems help reduce this variability. In adolescents, a study has shown that these systems can correct the neuropsychological impact of glycemic variability. Their use from the onset of the disease in children could therefore prevent delays in brain growth.
The study we are conducting in Île-de-France aims to determine the best treatment approach in the months following diagnosis to ensure that brain growth is comparable to that of children without type 1 diabetes. Study participants will be treated within weeks of diagnosis either with an insulin pump and glucose sensor or with new automated insulin delivery systems. Brain MRIs will be performed on patients at the beginning of the study and after 18 months of treatment, as well as on children of the same age without diabetes. This study, the first pediatric study supported by the FFRD, will provide important insights into the best care pathway for children in the months following diagnosis.

Rémi RABASA-LHORET

MD, PhD, Directeur de recherche, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (ICRM)

Rabasa-Lhoret-Rémi

Identify dysglycemia in patients with cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) with continuous blood glucose reading

Patients with cystic fibrosis exhibit a broad spectrum of dysglycemia associated with an increased risk of accelerated clinical decline (weight loss and/or lung function decline) and the risk of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). However, the current screening test, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), is associated with multiple issues, including patient and healthcare team acceptance, costs, etc. The support of the FFRD will enable us to conduct a study to determine whether continuous glucose monitoring simplifies the screening of DAFK and helps predict whether patients are at higher risk of weight loss and/or lung function decline. These findings will provide better answers regarding the use and interpretation of continuous glucose monitoring in clinical practice
.

Soazig LE LAY

INSERM, l’Institut du Thorax de Nantes

Extracellular vesicles enriched in adiponectin: an innovative biotherapeutic approach for diabetes treatment

Adiponectin (Adpn), an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, represents a promising target for treating cardiometabolic complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the development of Adpn-mimicking drugs has been hindered by challenges in obtaining its active oligomerized form (conversion of monomers into oligomers). Our research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose tissue has shown that they are naturally enriched with active Adpn. These vesicles enhance the bioavailability and prolong the stability of Adpn in circulation while preserving its insulin-sensitizing properties. Thanks to the support of the FFRD, we will study the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched in adiponectin (Adpn) as “molecular taxis” to deliver active forms of this adipokine and restore insulin sensitivity. This project paves the way for using extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biotherapeutics to better understand and treat complications of type 2 diabetes.

Mariana IGOILLO-ESTEVE

Université Libre de Bruxelles, UCDR, Belgium

Study of the Contribution of TRMT10A Protein Deficiency and Small Non-Coding RNAs to the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that targets pancreatic beta cells. Its onset results from a complex interaction between genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, including enterovirus infections. Individuals with T1D require lifelong insulin therapy and face an increased risk of complications. To date, no treatment exists to cure or prevent the development of T1D.

In our previous research, we demonstrated that mutations leading to a loss of function of the TRMT10A protein are responsible for juvenile diabetes, associated with microcephaly. We also found that the absence of TRMT10A causes the death of pancreatic beta cells, partly explained by an increase in the quantity of certain small non-coding RNAs in the cell. We now know that enterovirus infections also reduce the levels of TRMT10A. Thanks to the invaluable support of the FFRD we have been able to establish various human cellular models of T1D and TRMT10A deficiency. These models will allow us to assess the extent to which the reduction in TRMT10A and the production of small non-coding RNAs contribute to the development of T1D, and to unravel the mechanisms leading to beta cell destruction. These findings could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for this disease.