Brussels, Brussels, Nine new diabetes research projects will be funded for a total of US$2 million over the next three years as part of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) translational research grant programme, BRIDGES.

A total of 157 applications were considered for the second round of funding. The chosen projects address important issues in primary and secondary prevention of diabetes in different parts of the world.

"BRIDGES is a key programme for IDF work and mission. The support of translational research projects is critical in a world facing various global health challenges, including diabetes," said IDF President Jean Claude Mbanya.

"Just like the first phase, this round of the programme has a true global impact. The research carried out will have far reaching implications in Austria, China, Colombia, Haiti, India, the Philippines, South Africa and the US," Prof Mbanya added.

The projects focus on topics such as lifestyle intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, peer support, foot inspection for the visually impaired and the impact of motivational interviewing.

A full description of each project is available at www.idfbridges.org.

Notes to Editor

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is the global advocate for more than 285 million people with diabetes worldwide. It represents over 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. IDF is in official relations with the World Health Organization and associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information. Visit www.idf.org for details.

BRIDGES or Bringing Research in Diabetes to Global Environments and Systems is the global grant programme of the International Diabetes Federation supported by an educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company. It provides funding for translational research pilot projects and outcome studies over the course of seven years. Relevant topics include methods and strategies to improve health care delivery to people with and at risk of diabetes; enhance diabetes self management; promote healthy lifestyles or lifestyle change to reduce the risk of diabetes; and identify people with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in cost-effective ways. Visit http://www.idfbridges.org for more information on the grant selection process.