Cardiometabolic disease remains one of the most significant challenges facing healthcare systems globally. Whilst cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs)—including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, kidney, liver, and metabolic syndrome are recognised as seldom occurring in isolation, integrating medical care faces multiple clinical, system, organizational, economic, and patient-level challenges1.

Scientific discovery continues to advance rapidly alongside their practical application and inclusion in guidelines. However, gaps remain between research findings and their implementation in real‑world settings, with limited trials designed to test integrated care models, and few studies on implementation strategies that scale collaborative CMD care across diverse health systems.1

The Cardiometabolic Research Fellowship (Fellowship) was established to bridge this gap by identifying strategies to support the adoption of evidence-based research into coordinated clinical care.

The Cardiometabolic Summit, sponsored by Novo Nordisk and now in its 3rd year, was developed by an independent Steering Committee to tackle the barriers between medical disciplines in managing complex, co-morbid cardiometabolic diseases, by providing cross-disciplinary education, and provide a platform to debate, discuss, and build advocacy for integrated care with a real desire to drive systems-level change.

The Steering Committee, with Novo Nordisk, recognised the need to ensure lasting change beyond the summit; to facilitate the translation of discussion into practical application and establish a feedback loop whereby insights gained from real-world practice are fed back to the summit participants and into ongoing research. This approach ensures that research is not only informed by clinical realities but also continuously refined, allowing for the development of more effective, scalable solutions that directly address the challenges faced in everyday healthcare settings in Australia and New Zealand.

The Fellowship is designed to support clinicians undertaking high‑impact, translational (T4) Implementation focused research that addresses unmet needs in cardiometabolic healthcare, by identifying barriers and developing strategies for integrating evidence-based research into coordinated clinical care.

The Fellowship provides funding, visibility, and a platform for emerging leaders to deliver work with tangible clinical or system‑level impact. This Fellowship will also encourage leadership, mentorship and collaboration across cardiometabolic disciplines and inspire the next generation of clinicians to pursue diverse pathways to excellence in research and clinical practice.

 

Applications are encouraged for projects that:

  • Address a clearly defined clinical, health‑system, or policy‑relevant problem in cardiometabolic disease that supports embedding or developing Integrated Care Models
  • Demonstrates a credible pathway to widespread implementation
  • Has the potential to deliver outcomes in patient care, service delivery, or population health
  • Multidisciplinary or cross‑sector collaboration.

 

Projects may span:

  • Individual Clinics, Organisation-wide or Health‑service delivery
  • Clinical pathway redesign
  • Policy‑informing or guideline‑focused work

 

The Fellowship is open to eligible clinicians who:

  • Are affiliated with a recognised hospital, university, or research institute
  • Have appropriate institutional support to undertake the proposed work
  • Can demonstrate the capability to deliver a T4 translational Implementation project within the Fellowship period.

Early‑ to mid-career applicants are encouraged to apply. Career stage will be considered during evaluation, with emphasis placed on potential as well as prior achievements.

 

As at the application closing date, Applicants must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be based in Australia or New Zealand.
  • Be at an early-career stage, typically defined as within five (5) years of conferral of highest postgraduate degree (MSC, MPH, PhD or equivalent).
  • Be professionally engaged in medical practice within Cardiometabolic disciplines.
  • Have no substantiated findings of professional, academic, or ethical misconduct.
  • Be supported by their nominated Institution/Organisation, which support is confirmed in an attached letter that also confirms the Applicant’s good standing.
  • Be available and willing to attend the Cardiometabolic Summit in May of the award year and to present their research findings (interim or final) at the Cardiometabolic Summit in the following year.

 

The successful Fellow will receive:

  • $AUD 100,000 to support the approved project
  • Recognition through Fellowship communications and events
  • An opportunity to present their work and outcomes at a relevant cardiometabolic forum or meeting.

Full details regarding funding arrangements, reporting requirements, and Fellowship conditions are outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
 

  • Applications open: 25 March 2026
  • Applications close: 26 April 2026
  • Outcome notification: 18 May 2026
  • Fellow announced: 23 May 2026, Sofitel Melbourne – Cardiometabolic Summit gala dinner
     

Applicants must submit a completed application in accordance with the published guidelines. This includes:

  • A project proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and translational pathway
  • Evidence of institutional support that includes approval to undertake the research with protected time. Agreement from the Institution to manage and disburse the fellowship funding
  • Any additional documentation specified in the application guidelines

1. Ndumele CE et al., Circulation.2023;148:1606–163