Applications for ESPN research awards for 2026 are now open. The grants aim to stimulate collaboration between paediatric nephrologists in Europe to promote clinical or basic science research pertinent to children with kidney disease. Research awards are open to all ESPN members working in hospitals or academic institutions within Europe. For the 2026 call, eligibility is restricted exclusively to early-career researchers.
We warmly invite emerging young researchers to develop innovative projects in paediatric nephrology. We encourage you to apply for the Start-up Grants, which turn your scientific curiosity into groundbreaking knowledge and offer ample opportunities for international collaboration. The steps you take today will help shape you into the academic leaders of tomorrow.
Start-up Grants: These provide start-up funding for researchers early in their careers. It is open to proposals in which the principal applicant is under 36 years old as of the application deadline. However, if there are compelling circumstances—such as extended training due to maternity leave or health-related absences—applicants may request an age extension.
All applications will be evaluated by the ESPN council and external reviewers based on scientific merit and relevance to the field.
The application form is available on the ESPN webpage. It should be completed and returned to our ESPN office secretaryespn@oic.it , together with a brief (max. 2-page) curriculum vitae for the principal applicant and any supporting documentation from an ESPN Working Group.
A receipt of the application will be sent by email.
Applications that do not follow the ESPN application form will be returned to the applicant and not sent to reviewers.
The closing date is the 30th of April 2026. Late applications will not be considered. The evaluation of the ESPN council is final, and there is no option for appeals.
The winners will be announced during the ESPN General Assembly at the 58th Annual Meeting of the ESPN in Bordeaux, France, and posted on the ESPN website.
Visit the ESPN research grant webpage for application forms and the checklist for researchers.
