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Advancing clinical nutrition research: The JUMPstart program enters its fourth wave

Fresenius Kabi continues to support early-career clinicians and researchers through education, networking, and funding opportunities

February 25, 2025

The JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program is a mentorship initiative designed for early-career clinicians and researchers specializing in nutrition and research within critical care and abdominal surgery. After successful waves in 2018, 2020, and 2022, the program continues to grow and establish itself as a key initiative in clinical nutrition. It is now in its fourth wave.

Since its inception in 2018, the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program, organized by Fresenius Kabi, has welcomed 79 participants from 33 countries across six continents, making it a truly global initiative. It is structured into Basic and Advanced educational modules, offering interactive sessions covering key aspects of conducting a clinical trial – from study design and budgeting to publication – while highlighting the critical role of medical nutrition for severely ill patients. Through these sessions, JUMPstarters benefit from the expertise of a Scientific Committee composed of seasoned professionals in clinical nutrition research.

JumpStart Banner Wave 4 2024 - 2025: Development of new talents in Critical Care and Major Surgery
Seeing so many enthusiastic professionals joining the JUMPstart program is truly inspiring. My fellow Scientific Committee members and I are honored to support the next generation of clinical nutrition experts through knowledge sharing, meaningful discussions, and networking. By sparking their interests and guiding their research journeys, we are investing in the future of clinical nutrition. Together, we can shape the future of patient care and drive improvements in nutrition therapy.

Prof. Robert Martindale, United States, Member of the JUMPstart Scientific Committee  

Our image features the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition Program 2024/2025 Scientific Committee members. From left to right: Prof. Tim Friede (Germany), Prof. Isabel Correia (Brazil), Prof. Olav Rooyackers (Sweden), Prof. Mette Berger (Switzerland), and Prof. Robert Martindale (United States).
The JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition Program is guided by five globally acknowledged research experts. From left to right: Prof. Tim Friede (Germany), Prof. Isabel Correia (Brazil), Prof. Olav Rooyackers (Sweden), Prof. Mette Berger (Switzerland), and Prof. Robert Martindale (United States).

Beyond education, the program fosters international networking, allowing JUMPstarters to learn from one another, support medical nutrition research, and contribute to the development of future experts in the field. To learn more about this year’s participants, visit nutritionevents.com.

Highlights of the 4th wave and the €250,000 research grant

With the educational program for Wave 4 now complete, this year’s JUMPstarters have presented their initial research ideas to the Scientific Committee in a Speed Research Challenge and are now refining their proposals to compete for the €250,000 JUMPstart research grant. This funding opportunity is a key feature of the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program, providing a unique chance to turn a promising research proposal into reality. The winner will be announced in September at The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) 2025 congress in Prague, Czech Republic.

Our image features the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition Program 2024/2025 Scientific Committee members. From left to right: Prof. Tim Friede (Germany), Prof. Isabel Correia (Brazil), Prof. Olav Rooyackers (Sweden), Prof. Mette Berger (Switzerland), and Prof. Robert Martindale (United States).

One of the current JUMPstarters, Surgeon Dr. Maria Wobith , shares her experience:

Being part of the JUMPstart program has been an incredible experience. I’ve gained valuable insights from the scientific committee and had inspiring discussions with fellow participants from around the world. These interactions have shaped my research idea and pushed me to think more critically about its impact. I feel motivated to submit my research proposal, with the hope that it could lead to enhancing in patient care. The JUMPstart experience has provided me with a meaningful network that will continue to support and enrich my journey.

Dr. Maria Wobith, Germany (currently on fellowship in Singapore)

Curious to find out who will take home the award and what their research proposal contains? Stay tuned for more updates!

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