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 public agencies which organize the research, as INSERM or CNRS, patients associations and physician and scientific associations, (the Francophone Society of Diabetes – SFD) want to assist in diabetes research and provide an important part of 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:

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received projects
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international experts solicited
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candidates interviewed
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teams of Francophone researchers awarded
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million 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 role is to organize, alongside the Presidence of the FFRD and the Generla Committee, the evaluation of research projects by the Scientific Council (selection of international experts, rapporeurs within the SC and renewal of the SC members) ”.

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Claude CHAUMEIL

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

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“ 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”.

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Michel MARRE

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

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“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.

2025 Agenda

Discover the events of the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research:

05
Jan
A New Year is starting...

New 2025 Call for Proposals with Exciting Updates!
New study PRÊT1D promoted by the FFRD
New Strategies and Actions Plan…
New partnerships

13
Jan
Scientific Council Meeting

Validation of the terms of the 2026 Call for Proposals
Validation of the annual reports of the recipients
Validation of the 2026 agenda for Scientific Council
Agreements and fundings for the recipients
Awardees’ scientific publications!

20
Jan
General Committee Meeting

Validating the 2026 Agenda
Defining the new strategy
Developing the specifications
Setting objectives and actions
Expanding the promotion of studies

20
Jan
Press Webconference

The Awardees of the FFRD 2025 research grants
33 teams o f Francophones researchers awarded
Clinical, basic and translational research
The FFRD, promoting SFDT1 and PRÊT1D studies
€8,9 million distributed since 2013!

16
Feb
Launch of the FFRD 2026 Call for Proposals

Launch of the FFRD 2026 Call for Proposals
Clinical, basic, and translational research
Teams of Francophone researchers
2 projects for a total of €500,000

11
Mar
ATTD Congress from 11 to 14 March - Barcelona

Advanced Technology & Treatments for Diabetes
Developing new partnerships and collaborations
Strengthen the reputation of the FFRD
Enhance its visibility

01
Apr
The SFD Congress in Paris, March 31th to April 3rd

FFRD Symposium: Wednesday 1st April – 10:00-12:00 AM
On the agenda: Epigenetic & Diabetes
Presented by 2 recipients of the FFRD

16
Apr
General Committee Meeting

Feed-back on the SFD congress in Lyon
Update on the ongoing Call for Proposals
Partnerships and Financial updates
Scientific publications and papers
News about promoted studies
Latest press coverage

 

16
Apr
Board of Directors Meeting

Approval of the FFRD’s strategic directions for 2026
Follow-up of projects and agreements of the Awardees
Approval of the 2025 accounts certified
Commitment of our partners and sponsors
Validation of the 2026 Agenda
Developing studies promotion

30
Apr
Closing of the FFRD 226 Call for Proposals

Deadline for submitting applications to the FFRD 2026 Call for Proposals
(April 30, 11:59 PM)

05
May
General Committee Meeting

With the help of the Scientific Council

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

11
May
Request for international external expertise

Submitting projects to international experts for review
3 experts consulted per category/theme”
Around 5 projects per category

22
Jun
Feedback from External Experts

Deadline for receiving opinions and comments from experts
(3 experts per project)

25
Jun
General Committee Meeting

Compilation and ranking of opinions from consulted experts
FFRD’s communication and visibility updates
News about SFDT1/PRÊT1D studies
Review of the press conference
Mid-year budget update

26
Jun
Sending the reviews to the Scientific Council

Between 4 and 6 categories/themes
Approximately 5 projects per theme
2 reviewers per project

09
Jul
Preliminary selection Meeting

The Scientific Council must pre-select 6 candidates
who will present and defend their projects
at the hearings on September 8, in Paris

08
Sep
Awardees election for 2026

The Scientific Council will interview the 6 pre-selected candidates
and select the Awardees of the FFRD 2026 Research Grants

29
Sep
EASD congress in Milan, September 29 to October 2

Let’s meet the FFRD at Village des Associations
Alongside our partner, the SFD

14
Nov
World Diabetes Day
26
Nov
General Committee Meeting

Overview of 2026 and projections for 2027
Preparing the Board of Directors Meeting
Proposition of the 2027 Agenda

26
Nov
Board of Directors Meeting

Presentation of the FFRD 2026 accounts
FFRD’s objectives and strategy for 2027
Follow-up of ongoing research grants
Presentation of the 2026 Awardees
Communication plan for 2027
Budget Forecasts for 2027

01
Jan
New year is coming

… with in early January:
General Committee and Scientific Council Meetings
Terms of the new 2027 call for projects
Promoted studies updates
Press webconference

News

Press conference Tuesday, January 20, 2026!

The Fondation Francophone pour la Recherche sur le Diabète (FFRD) invites you to join us on Tuesday, January 20 at 9am to discover the winners of the FFRD 2025 Research Grants and their projects! It will also be an opportunity to present the progress of the SFDT1 cohort, of which FFRD has been the promoter…

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DIABANDCO, company of SFDT1 data valuating

DIABANDCO Collect. Collaborate. Contribute   Faced with the growing challenges of diabetes, Diabandco was created to stimulate open and accessible research. Diabandco is a development subsidiary of the Société Francophone du Diabète (SFD). Its mission is to develop the data and biological samples of people living with diabetes, enabling academic researchers and industrial players to…

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Type 2 diabetes: cure or remission… can it happen?

Type 2 diabetes remission is defined by the ADA as a durable normalization of blood glucose levels without pharmacological treatment for a certain period of time. Type 2 diabetes, once diagnosed, is usually considered permanent. Its development results from insulin resistance, often promoted by overweight or obesity, combined with insulin deficiency. New treatments, such as…

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🎬 Review of the FFRD symposim on the Microbiota “live” !

Experience the FFRD symposium on Microbiota which took place during the SFD Congress – which occured at the Palais des Congrès in Paris from 1st to 4th April 2025! The type 2 diabetes was the subject… Microbiota : from the pathophysiology to therapeutic interventions with our awardees: 🏆 Rémy BURCELIN (Toulouse): 2014 awardee 🏆 François…

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Next event: EASD congress in Vienna!

The FFRD will have the pleasure to meet you at the 61th EASD congress which will take place in Vienna, from September 15th to 19th. The EASD Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to stay up to date with recent developments in the diabetes field. The programme features groundbreaking basic research, cutting-edge clinical trial results…

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🎬 Review of the FFRD symposium on the Beta Cell “live”!

Experience the FFRD symposium on “Beta Cell” as if you were there! This event took place during last year’s SFD congress in Toulouse, highlighting fundamental research and the French speaking scientific community… 🏆 Romano REGAZZI (Lausanne): recipient in 2013 🏆 Raphael SCHARFMANN (Paris): recipient in 2017 🏆 Miriam CNOP (Bruxelles): recipient in 2019 Moderated by…

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🎬 Award Ceremony for the FFRD winners « live »!

Experience the FFRD Award Ceremony at the SFD congress, as if you were here! 🏆 The 2023 recipients: Soraya TALEB, Olivier BOURRON and Mikaël CROYAL, at the SFD congress in Toulouse, 🏆 The 2022 recipients : Soazig LE LAY and Jacques BELTRAND, at the SFD congress in Montpellier.   🏆 THE 2023 RECIPIENTS 🏆 Discover…

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📢 Big announcement: Exciting new developments for the FFRD ! 🚀

The FFRD is evolving and preparing a year of full new developments and innovations! What’s coming: ✨  New governance bodies to further strengthen the Foundation’s commitment to diabetes research, 📅  New call for projects and updated timeline, offering more opportunities for researchers, 📖  New institutional brochure, reflecting our mission and ambitions for the future of…

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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.  

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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

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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

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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 …

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