DIAMAP: Road Map for Diabetes Research in Europe

The mission of DIAMAP was to undertake a wide survey of the European diabetes research landscape between 2005-2008, from which expert opinion can identify gaps and highlight strengths, to guide a Road Map strategy for future diabetes research in Europe.

In the EU there are more than 30 million people living with diabetes (around 50 million across Europe as a whole). The challenge to the diabetes stakeholder community is to respond with coordinated research that can be translated into effective treatments. While support from the European Commission (EC), national funding agencies and private foundations play an important role in advancing research there is a lack of information on research gaps and overlap.

Diabetes in its two major forms is a complex, multisystem polygenic disease that is complicated to treat and pervades all areas of health services. It is common, affects people of every age and is exacerbated by lifestyle factors in many cases. The complications are devastating and can be lifethreatening. Better-targeted approaches to research funding as well as a more coordinated response to emerging health needs and research opportunities are necessary.

DIAMAP is the response of EURADIA to the research challenge.

A committee of EURADIA members representing patients, academic science and industry, has provided guidance for DIAMAP. The scientific backing, patient input, and established tools such as a website and database, and links with the Innovative Medicines Initiative, provided credibility for DIAMAP to survey the European diabetes research landscape, to invite input from experts (through scientific fora in different research areas) and to generate the final Road Maps. Horizontal (legal, ethical and health professional) issues were also addressed. The final Road Maps are compiled in a single report to provide the EC, funding agencies, academia and industry with a strategy to address weaknesses and to maximize strengths and opportunities for future diabetes research in Europe.

There were two strategic phases to DIAMAP:
Phase 1: Survey of diabetes research and funding landscape
Phase 2: Development of diabetes research goals and the final Road Map for Diabetes Research by expert groups

At the conclusion of the DIAMAP project, a consultation period was held during which input was invited from research groups, health professionals, people with diabetes and the general public via the DIAMAP and EURADIA websites. This ensured that DIAMAP truly focused upon people with diabetes.

The DIAMAP project was a 'Support Action' funded under the EU Framework Seven Research Programme FP7 theme: 'FP7: 200701'. DIAMAP was running from 1 April 2008 to 30 September 2010 and was managed by the EURADIA secretariat.