Promotion of important clinical research

In order to be able to prevent and treat diabetes and possible sequelae, it is fundamental that new discoveries and research results are translated and applied in clinical activities with patients. By transferring the results – from basic research to clinical studies – discoveries can benefit patients with diabetes. The transfer of results from basic research to clinical studies is called “translational research”. That this transfer and application actually takes place is thus a crucial step for successful diabetes care.

At present, however, this transfer and application does not take place to the greatest extent possible. Basic research needs to be implemented at an even faster rate in clinical studies to avoid unnecessary suffering of patients with diabetes. Today, people with diabetes are at risk of many serious sequelae due to their disease, including vision loss, kidney damage, chronic wounds, amputation and cardiovascular disease. This would not necessarily occur to the same extent if translational research were more widespread.

The risk of developing secondary diseases to diabetes would be significantly reduced if the translational research received more support. Kerstin Brismar Award aims to change this by stimulating and promoting translational research in diabetes.

Intensive research is needed to stop the exponential growth of diabetes and its implications. Sweden and Finland have the highest prevalence of type 1 diabetes in the world, and it is increasing in all countries with better standards. Every day, 2 to 3 children and 3 to 4 adults are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and 30 to 40 adults with type 2 diabetes in Sweden.

The purpose of Kerstin Brismar Award is thus to meet the increasing need for effective clinical research, by offering research funds to promising and outstanding researchers in the field of diabetes.

While the Rolf Luft Award has been awarded to outstanding basic researchers for ground-breaking discoveries in the field of diabetes since 2004, the Kerstin Brismar Award will promote ground-breaking clinical research in the same field. They will thus be complementary in their purposes.

Practical information about the application process

After all applications for research grants have been received, a selection process begins. The person who best meets the criteria will receive a research grant of 500,000 SEK and the Kerstin Brismar Award. The deadline for submitting your application for this year’s grant was 31st of May 2025.

Donations – who can donate and how?

The Kerstin Brismar Award is administered by the Rolf Luft Foundation for Diabetes Research (organisational number: 80 24 24-6285). As a private person, company or organization, you are warmly welcome to make your financial contribution to the Kerstin Brismar Award (of any amount).

To donate to the Kerstin Brismar Award, please use any of the following three methods:

• Swish: 12 33 41 24 00
• Bankgiro: 707-8991
• Handelsbanken BIC/IBAN:HANDSESS / 53 6000 0000 0005 2978 6621 (for donations outside of the Nordic countries).

Contact information

For general questions about the Kerstin Brismar Award, please email: brismaraward@luftdiabetesfoundation.se