Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award

Award Profile: 

This award was established in 2015 to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions in patient-oriented clinical outcomes research having significant impact on diabetes prevention and treatment.   

Criteria for Selection: (Candidates can be peer or self-nominated.)

• Nominee’s research must be patient-oriented, including clinical trials and outcomes research involving human subjects. 
• Nominee is well-known nationally or internationally for exceptional clinical research knowledge and expertise.
• Nominee has outstanding track record of sharing his/her expertise with other health care professionals as documented by presentations and/or authorship of books /articles/reference materials 
• Nominee can represent any type of diabetes clinical professional.
• Nominee is a current member of the Association’s Professional Section.
• Both U.S. and non-U.S. residents are eligible for award.
• Contributions and volunteer service to both national and international diabetes organizations and the broader diabetes community may also be taken into consideration.   
• There is no lecture associated with this award.
• The recipient receives a $3,000 honorarium
• Award includes two round-trip coach airfares and hotel accommodations for the duration of the meeting.
• Award includes complimentary registration to the 86^th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, LA on June 5-8, 2026. 

Lecture/Publication:

• There is no lecture associated with this award.

Honorarium/Travel/Registration:

• The recipient receives a $3,000 honorarium
• Award includes two round-trip coach airfares and hotel accommodations for the duration of the meeting.
• Award includes complimentary registration to the 86^th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, LA on June 5-8, 2026. 

2026 Nomination/Submission Process:

• Nominations must be submitted using the new electronic nomination form.  All submissions must be received on or before 8pm ET, September 19, 2025.
• Nominations are accepted from any professional member of the American Diabetes Association.

All Clinical Research in Diabetes Awards nominations must have the following documents uploaded as one .pdf file:

• Letter of nomination/support, whether peer or self-nominated must be no more than 400 words and signed by no more than 3 individuals. 
• Nomination letter/support should address criteria for selection (above), the most significant clinical research accomplishments of the nominee, and the impact of these accomplishments on clinical practice/patient care and outcomes.
• Nominee’s CV with career and publication highlights. 

Questions? Contact Gedeon Topacio, Program Manager, Research & Scientific Programs, by email at gtopacio@diabetes.org

Selection:

• The recipient is chosen by the National Scientific & Health Care Achievement Awards Committee and approved by the Executive Committee of the American Diabetes Association, February 2026.

2025 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award

Melanie J. Davies, CBE, MBChB, MD, FRCP, FRCGP, FMedSci