The foundation

Diabetes is a major public health challenge due to its frequency, the seriousness of its complications and the high costs that it incurs.

Also, alongside the main public actors who organize research, such INSERM or CNRS, patients associations (FFD), and associations of doctors and scientists (the French speaking Society of Diabetes – SFD) aim to support diabetes research and contribute significantly to medical research.

Thus, the SFD established a Foundation: The Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research – FFRD, which has the unique goal of « promoting and supporting research on diabetes and metabolic diseases ».

The SFD also initiated the SFDT1 project, launched in 2019, with the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research as the promoter.

SFDT1 is a French cohort of individuals living with type 1 diabetes, with the main objective of better understanding the cardiovascular risk in this population. This cohort aims to include, in the long run, 15,000 patients followed over 10 years.

Since 2013, the FFRD has been:

0
received projects
0
experts internationaux interrogés
0
auditioned candidates
0
équipes de chercheurs francophones récompensées
0
millions of euros distributed

Goal and missions

« A foundation that is state-recognised as serving the public interest for advancing the research on diabetes. »

Created by the Francophone Society of Diabetes (SFD), the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research (FFRD) set itself the unique goal of “promoting and supporting research on diabetes and metabolic diseases, particularly through public and private collaboration”.

The FFRD is committed at all stages of research on diabetes and metabolic diseases and aims to provide sustainable means to support projects in experimental, clinical, and translational research in the long term.

State-recognised as serving the public interest, the FFRD supports quality research programmes that are international in scope. It funds innovative and promising projects in order to achieve better management of diabetic patients. It funds innovative and promising projects in order to achieve better management of diabetic patients.

Our organization

The Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research comprises three instances, each with distinct functions:

 

  • The General Committee is responsible for preparing board meetings and ensuring the implementation of its decisions and resolutions.
  • The Scientific Council‘s mission is to select research projects for support and define the scientific policy of the Foundation.
  • The Board of Directors, composed of 12 members and a government commissioner, is responsible for defining the strategic directions of the Foundation’s actions and ensuring its sustainability.

FFRD from the inside

The members of the General Committee, the Board of Directors, or the Scientific Council of the FFRD, whether current or former, play a major role within the Foundation, being at the heart of the action…

Jean GIRARD

Professor Emeritus at University of Paris, President of the FFRD Scientific Council

“ I have worked all my life on the hormonal regulation of metabolism, first during development and then in adulthood (Faculty of Sciences, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, and then University of Paris 5). I have gained experience in research evaluation (expecially as President of a specialized commission at INSERM) and have participated as a Scientific Advisor for HCERES in the evaluation of CNRS, INSERM and University research units in life sciences. As President of the Scientific Council of the FFRD, since its creation in 2013, my main rolel is to organize, alongide the President of the FFRD et the General Committee, the evaluation of research projects by the Scientific Council (selection of international experts, rapporteurs within the Scientific Council, and the renewal of Scientific Council members).”

JG_Photo_2014

Claude CHAUMEIL

Vice-President of the French Federation of Diabetes (FFD), Vice-President of the FFRD

Photo_CC_2023

“ The figures speak for themselves – there is an urgency to mobilise against diabetes. This mobilisation must also involve researchers. The creation of the FFRD must promote scientific and medical advances on this genetic and hereditary disease. The AFD, directed by and for patients, provides its financial assistance to FFRD. It wants to be the stimulus for the researchers to find paths to recovery ”.

Claude JAFFIOL

Professor of Endocrinology Metabolism, Member of the French National Academy of Medicine

“ The French National Academy of Medicine that represent is incomplete harmony with the objectives of the FFRD. I myself am very attached to contributing to and facilitating the development of research projects supported by the Foundation in the domain of epidemiology and in the development of therapeutic education. As a result I feel very committed to policy followed by this institution”.

claude_jaffiol

Michel MARRE

Professor of Diabetology & Endocrinology, former President and founder of the FFRD

MM_Photo_2014

“10 years later…
About ten years ago, I was president of the Société Francophone du Diabète (SFD), a French-speaking learned society dedicated to diabetes, whose main aim is to increase and disseminate knowledge in this field. However, this society could only distribute relatively small “grants” to researchers. I therefore decided to set up a Foundation that would make available to researchers in this field, whether on the experimental or clinical side, sums of a more substantial order of magnitude, enabling them to support a project over several years, in addition to public calls for tenders. I was lucky enough…

Our latest news

Find all the news from the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research.

2024 Agenda

Discover the events of the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research:

13
Jan
A New Year Off to a Great Start!

New Members of the Board!
(Secretary General and President)
New 2025 Call for Projects with Exciting Updates!
New Strategies and Actions Plan…
New Events in 2025

16
Jan
Board webconference

New Board
Validation of the 2025 calendar
Follow-up on the recipients’ conventions
Financial status overview of the FFRD
Finalization of the Press Webconference
Discovery of the communication materials for 2025

16
Jan
Board of Directors webconference

New Board of Directors
Discovering the 2025 calendar
Validation of. the 2025 strategic plan
Financial status overview of the FFRD

21
Jan
Scientific Council webconference

Understanding the final reports of the recipients
Validation of the annual reports of the recipients
Validation of the terms of the call for projects in 2025
Validation of the 2025 calendar for Scientific Council
Agreements and fundings for the recipients£
Recipients’ publications!

28
Jan
Press Webconference

Our 2 recipients for the FFRD 2024 research grants
12 years of sustained for diabetes research
31 teams of Francophones researchers awarded
Clinical, basic and translational research
SFDT1 study promoted by the FFRD since 2019
€8,3 million distributed by the FFRD since 2013!

17
Feb
Launch of the FFRD 2025 Call for Projects

2 or 3 projects for a total of €600,000, funded by the FFRD
Clinical, basic, and translational research
Teams of Francophone researchers

18
Feb
Board webconference

Definition of the New 2025 Strategy
Development of the Specifications Document
Implementation of actions

19
Mar
ATTD Congress from 19 to 22 March - Amsterdam

Advanced Technology & Treatments for Diabetes
Developping the reputation of the FFRD
Strengthen its
existing partnerships
Find new partners and donors

01
Apr
The SFD Congress in Paris, April 1st to 4th

2nd FFRD Symposium: Wednesday, April 2nd – 10 am/12 pm
On the agenda: The gut microbiota
…From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Interventions
Presented by 3 recipients of the Foundation!
Toulouse, Lille and Lyon in the spotlight…

10
Apr
Board Meeting

Feed-back of the SFD congress in Paris
Update on the ongoing call for projects
Latest press coverage
Financial update

10
Apr
Board of Directors Meeting

Approal of the FFRD’s strategic directions
Approval of accounts certified by our statutory auditor
Renewal of our partnerships and donors
Follow-up of projects and agreements of the recipients

12
May
Closing of the FFRD 2025 call for projects

Deadline for submitting applications for the FFRD 2025 call for projects
(May 12, 11:59pm)

16
May
Board webconference

Reception, analysis, and categorization of applications
Definition of different categories/themes
Sorting of projects before sending to experts
Selection of international experts for review
Appointment of 2 rapporteurs within the CS

19
May
Request for international external expertise

Submission of projects to international experts for review
3 experts consulted per category/theme”

30
Jun
Feedback from External Experts

Deadline for receiving opinions and comments from experts for submission to the Scientific Council

03
Jul
Board webconference

Compilation and ranking of opinions from consulted experts
for submission to the Scientific Council, including the rapporteurs
Terms definition for the next press briefing
Communication and visibility update for FFRD
Financial update (donors and recipients)

10
Jul
Preliminary selection meeting

Meeting of the Scientific Council to pre-select
5 to 7 candidates to defend their projects in hearings

09
Sep
Recipients election for 2024

Meeting of the Scientific Council to interview the pre-selected candidates and select the new recipients for the FFRD 2025 Research Grants

16
Sep
EASD congress in Paris, September 16 to 19

Find FFRD at the Associations Village
Shared booth with our partner SFD

14
Nov
World Diabetes Day
27
Nov
Board Meeting

Finalization of the calendar for the Board of Directors
Overview of 2025 and projections for 2026
Validation of the 2026 calendar

27
Nov
Board of Directors Meeting

Changes inside FFRD’s office and Board of Dir.
Presentation of the FFRD’s 2025 accounts
Follow-up of ongoing research grants
Presentation of the 2025 recipients
Communication plan for 2026

01
Jan
A new year is starting...

Board and Scientific Council meetings
Terms for the new 2026 call for projects
Press webconference

News

Webconference on 28 January

Join us on January 28th at 9 am to discover the projects of the FFRD Research Grants recipients, which will be revealed during our press webconference. It will also be an opportunity to present the progress of the prospective SFDT1 cohort, for which the FFRD is the promoter since 2019.  

Read more

A promising avenue for the treatment of MASH!

Have you heard of MASH ((Metabolic Associated SteatoHepatitis)? Previously known as NASH (Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis). MASH, closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic, is a silent disease that has become a major cause of severe liver conditions like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.   What are the solutions?   Despite preventive and therapeutic efforts, no…

Read more

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!

    The FFRD would like to express its sincere gratitude for its enduring collaboration with its partners and congratulate its awardees and all researchers who contribute to combating diabetes through their innovative projects that advance research on this disease… May this year-end be an opportunity to celebrate our successes and recharge our batteries for…

Read more

WELCOME TO PARIS FOR THE 2025 SFD CONGRESS!

The annual congress of the SFD will take place from April, 1st to 4 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. The preliminary program is already available! Discover the EDITORIAL of Catherine POSTIC, President of the scientific council of the SFD and Jean-Pierre RIVELINE, General Secretary of the FFRD (also coordinator and principal investigator of…

Read more

2013-2024… A Retrospective on 11 Years of Support for Research!

A foundation recognized as being of public interest, the FFRD aims to improve knowledge of diabetes, its significance and to reduce the burden of its complications through the 29 Francophone projects it has funded to date! The projects supported by the FFRD complement those conducted by the SFD, as they involve large-scale and internationnly significant…

Read more

The EASD congress celebrates its 60th anniversary!

On the eve of the start of the EASD Annual Meeting in Madrid, the  Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research will be pleased to meet you at the Village of the Associations, booth #2 ! Let’s share these exciting days filled with science, exchange, collaboration, learning and networking… This EASD 2024 promises to be an exceptional…

Read more

What is Epigenetics by Prof. André SCHEEN

Epigenetics is one of the most promising research areas regarding the development of certain diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes The Professor André SCHEEN, President of the scientific council of the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research (FFRD), explains why this avenue is promising and what epigenetics actually is.     Listen to the interview Diabetes is…

Read more

What if you made a bequest to benefit the FFRD?

Making a bequest to the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research (FFRD), state-recognised as serving the public interest, is a powerful and generous act that can have a lasting and significant impact on the fight against diabetes, a true global scourge of this century. Make a bequest and hope will be spread that diabetes will disappear…

Read more

Next event: EASD congress in Madrid!

The FFRD will have the pleasure to meet you at the 60th EASD congress which will take place in Madrid, from September 9th to 13th. The EASD 2024 annual congress is an excellent opportunity to stay up to date with recent developments in the diabetes field. It is the interface between discovery science and clinical…

Read more

Welcome to Toulouse for the SFD 2024 congress!

Hélène Hanaire, President of the FFRD, is pleased to welcome you at the SFD congress which takes place in Toulouse, from 19 to 22 March. “This is the very first time our annual meeting will take place in the Pink City, and we are committed to making it a success. The sizing of the new…

Read more

The FFRD at the SFD Congress in Toulouse

Discover the latest scientific advances and medical innovations that will be discussed throughout the SFD Congress taking place in Toulouse from March 19 to 22. Explore the diverse themes and the renowned speakers who will lead the sessions of the SFD 2024 Congress on the official preliminary program of the conference.   Professors Michel MARRE,…

Read more

Webconference on 23 January

Join us on January 23rd at 9 am to discover the projects of the FFRD Research Grants recipients, which will be revealed during our press webconference. It will also be an opportunity to present the progress of the prospective SFDT1 cohort, for which the FFRD is the promoter. On the agenda   The FFRD supports…

Read more

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!

    The FFRD would like to express its sincere gratitude for its enduring collaboration with its partners and congratulate its awardees and all researchers who contribute to combating diabetes through their innovative projects that advance research on this disease… May this year-end be an opportunity to celebrate our successes and recharge our batteries for…

Read more

The FFRD at the EASD Congress in Barcelona

  Come and discover this major scientific event: 55th Annual Meeting of EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes). It is taking place in Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, from 16th to 20th September. This 55th EASD Annual Meeting: always a rewarding meeting, with opportunities to makes new contacts… For more information: www.easd.org

Read more

Come and discover the EASD congress in Berlin!

Come and discover this major scientific event : 54th Annual Meeting of EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes). It will take place in Messe Berlin, from 1st to 4th October. The 54th EASD Annual Meeting in Berlin: always a rewarding meeting, with opportunities to make new contacts, … For more information: www.easd.org

Read more

The FFRD named in the LANCET

  The LANCET (scientific newpaper of reference) published, on on July 6, 2017, a special issue on diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. How to explain the magnitude of this epidemic? What are the difficulties accessing treatments? Interview of Pr Eugène Sobngwi, diabetologist at the Hôpital Central de Yaoundé (minute 20). Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism at…

Read more

Come and discover the EASD congress in Lisbon!

  Come and discover this major scientific event : 53th Annual Meeting of EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes). It will take place in the Parque das Nações, at the International Fair of Lisbon (FIL), from 11 to 15 September and will be starting with Symposia on 11 September and the Opening Session on the morning of Tuesday, 12…

Read more

Diabetes: all you need to know

Lyse Bordier and Bernard Bauduceau publish a book on diabetes for the general public. This book talked about all topics concerning diabetes by taking stock current scientific data but in easy-to-read and comprehensible language for all.  Available in bookstores and on the internet.

Read more

La FFRD référencée !

Dorénavant la Fondation Francophone pour la Recherche sur le Diabète – FFRD – sera présente, tous les ans, dans le Guide des Dons, Legs et Donations. Cette année, vous retrouverez la FFRD dans la rubrique “Diabète”. L’année prochaine, elle sera présente à la rubrique “Recherche”. La Fondation Francophone pour la Recherche sur le Diabète est également membre du Centre français…

Read more

Pr Pattou’s project, 2015 FFRD laureate, in the spotlight

Laureate of the 2015 FFRD Research Grant of €300.000 for his clinical research project   “role of  intestine in type 2 diabetes remission after  gastric By-Pass surgery”, the Pr François PATTOU, with the assistance of his team at Inserm, explains how simple dietary rules able to mimic the effect of the surgery could contribute to prevent diabetes. A press release from INSERM honors this team, whose unexpected results have been reported  in a…

Read more

Recipients of the 2013 and 2014 FFRD Research Grants… mid-term review.

The Scientific Council of the FFRD just validated the interim reports of the recipients of the 2013 and 2014 FFRD Research Grants, who presented an update of the progress made in their work. • Dr Blandine COMTE, Human Nutrition Unit of the Research Center of Clermont-Ferrand in France. [diapo] Projet : « Metabolic signatures input in the metabolic syndrome prediction: case-control study…

Read more

Pr Eugène Sobngwi’s interview, 2015 laureate

As every year, on the occasion of  the Francophone Society of Diabetes (SFD) “Thematic Day”, the Francophone Foundation for Research on Diabetes (FFRD) organized its press conference which announce the laureates of its research grants. This year, because of  high quality of the projects, the FFRD decided to support 4 Francophone researchers teams among them a Cameroon one lead by …

Read more