ERA awards and awards’ protocol

I. General

The ERA confers a number of awards each year to recognise excellence in nephrology research, education, and contributions to the Association. All awards are announced through an open call. The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) evaluates candidates for all award categories with the exception of the Outstanding Contribution to the ERA and the Excellence in the Field of Sustainable Nephrology awards.

The Outstanding Contribution to the ERA Award is assessed directly by the ERA Council, while the Excellence in the Field of Sustainable Nephrology Award is evaluated by the relevant Sustainable Nephrology Task Force/Committee, with final approval by the Council.

The ERA Council determines the winners of the remaining awards based on the SAB’s pre-selection. Neither Council nor SAB members currently in office may be candidates for any Award. A person may receive each Award only once, and the Council determines the number of Awards granted each year.

 

II. Categories

The ERA confers Awards in the following categories:

1. Outstanding Clinical Contributions to nephrology, dialysis, or transplantation
2. Outstanding Basic Science Contributions to nephrology, dialysis, or transplantation
3. Research Excellence in Nephrology (clinical or basic science).
4. Outstanding Contribution to the ERA
5. Excellence in the Field of Sustainable Nephrology
6. Young Investigator Awards, comprising:

• Young Investigator Award for Basic Science (Rosanna Gusmano Award)
• Young Investigator Award for Translational Science (Stanley Shaldon Award)
• Young Investigator Award for Clinical Science (Eberhard Ritz Award)

 

III. Submission of candidates

Candidates for all ERA Awards are submitted through an open call. In addition to applications received through the open call, both the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the ERA Council may propose additional candidates for consideration.

Self-candidacy is permitted only for the Young Investigator Awards. Applicants must submit their candidacy by completing the official application form provided in the open call. For the Young Investigator Awards, nominees must be ERA Full Members.

For all other Award categories (Outstanding Clinical Contributions, Outstanding Basic Science Contributions, Research Excellence in Nephrology, Outstanding Contribution to the ERA, and Excellence in the Field of Sustainable Nephrology), nominations are open to all ERA Members, without geographical restriction. For the categories Outstanding Clinical Contributions, Outstanding Basic Science Contributions, and Research Excellence in Nephrology, any ERA Member may propose outstanding colleagues for consideration.

 

IV. Award parameters

1. Awards for Young Investigators

Candidates must:

• Be 40 years old or younger at the time of receiving the Award.
  Extensions beyond this limit may be granted for documented career interruptions, including maternity, paternity, caring responsibilities, or periods of part-time work. Indicative extensions include: 1.5 years per maternity leave, 6 months per paternity leave, and up to 1 year in total for other justified circumstances.
• Be ERA Full Members.
• Have an established record of first- or last-author publications in kidney research or related scientific journals.
• Demonstrate early-career scientific achievements through research activity, collaborations, innovation, mentorship or supervision, engagement with the nephrology community, and/or contributions to academic or professional service, as detailed in the application.
• Applicants may also include a brief narrative statement describing their career trajectory, key achievements, any career breaks, and their vision for future work; this provides contextual information to support the overall evaluation.

Award Category Selection:

In the application form, candidates may indicate the award category for which they consider themselves best qualified. The ERA Council retains the authority to make the final allocation and may reassign candidates to a different category if deemed more appropriate.

Evaluation:

Candidates are evaluated on the basis of a broad and balanced assessment of their scientific achievements, research contributions, innovation, grant activity, mentorship and supervision, public engagement, and leadership roles.

Applicants may also include a brief narrative statement describing their career trajectory, key achievements, any career breaks, and their vision for future work; this provides contextual information to support the overall evaluation.

Assessments are undertaken by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) according to criteria approved by the ERA Council, ensuring fairness, transparency, and consistency across all evaluations.

 

2. Outstanding clinical contributions, Outstanding basic science contributions, Research excellence in nephrology

Candidates must:

• Be ERA Members.
• Be recognised for exceptional achievements and a sustained record of excellence in the relevant field of the Award.
• For the Research Excellence in Nephrology Award, be between 41 and 60 years of age in the year of nomination.

Evaluation

Evaluation is based on a comprehensive appraisal of the candidate’s scientific and professional contributions.

The assessment takes into account the quality, originality, and impact of the candidate’s research, including contributions to high-quality publications, advances in scientific understanding, and influence on clinical practice in nephrology, dialysis, or transplantation.

• Additional aspects that may be considered include:
• Invited lectures or presentations at international scientific meetings;
• Recognised achievements, distinctions, or other awards;
• Leadership or mentorship roles;
• Collaborative initiatives and contributions to the scientific or clinical community;
• Seminal discoveries or innovations with significant implications for patient care or for understanding kidney physiology and disease.

This approach ensures that excellence is evaluated holistically, recognising both scientific merit and broader contributions to the advancement of nephrology.

 

3. Outstanding Contribution to the ERA

Candidates must:

• Be ERA Full Members.
• Have made a significant and lasting positive impact on the Association or its membership.
• Have demonstrated leadership, volunteerism, and sustained commitment that has contributed meaningfully to the development, activities, or strategic objectives of the European Renal Association.

Evaluation 

The assessment focuses on the overall contribution of the candidate to the ERA, including the scope, continuity, and long-term influence of their involvement. Consideration is given to leadership roles, participation in ERA initiatives, service to the community, and actions that have strengthened the Association or advanced its mission. 

This Award is evaluated directly by the ERA Council, in accordance with the principles of fairness, transparency, and recognition of exceptional service to the Association. 

 

4. Excellence in the field of Sustainable Nephrology

Candidates must:

• Be ERA Members (for individuals) or be organisations/initiatives with recognised engagement within the ERA community.
• Have made substantial and demonstrable contributions to the development, promotion, or implementation of environmentally sustainable practices in nephrology.
• Have advanced approaches that reduce environmental impact while maintaining or improving patient care.

Evaluation

The assessment considers the scope, innovation, and impact of the candidate’s contributions to sustainable nephrology. This includes initiatives that promote environmental responsibility, reduce resource use or carbon emissions, improve waste management, or enhance awareness and adoption of sustainable practices within the nephrology community.

Applications for this Award are evaluated by the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force/Committee, with final approval by the ERA Council, ensuring that contributions to sustainability are recognised in a fair and transparent manner.

 

V. Awards notification procedure and benefits

The ERA Council nominates the awardees for all categories during the Spring Council Meeting, taking into account the evaluations undertaken by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force/Committee where applicable. All candidates are notified following the Council’s decision. 

The names of the awardees are reported in the Annual Report and published on the ERA website. 

Awards and diplomas are conferred by the ERA President during the Welcome Ceremony of the annual ERA Congress, in accordance with the Award Protocol. Award recipients are invited guests at the Congress and receive VIP accommodation, which includes travel reimbursement, three nights in the faculty hotel, and free Congress registration, as outlined in the Specifications for Organising ERA Congresses and Meetings. 

Winners of the Young Investigator Awards additionally receive a €10,000 prize and three years of free ERA Junior Membership. In the event of an ex-aequo within the same category, the monetary prize will be divided accordingly. Young Investigator Award recipients are also invited to deliver a presentation at the ERA Congress. 

 

Award Protocol

The Award Protocol takes place through a formal ceremony held during the annual ERA Congress. The specific format, sequence of events, and participating speakers are defined each year. All award recipients should be invited, together with an accompanying person or spouse/partner, to the President’s Dinner held during the Congress at which the Award is conferred. 

Last update: November 2025