Else Kröner Fresenius Award 2026
By Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
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Quick Answer
Closed: EUR 250,000 (about ₹2.7 crore) award from a German foundation for a proven nonprofit health project in a developing country. The 2026 theme was people with disabilities.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 March 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The 2026 round of the Else Kröner Fresenius Award for Development Cooperation in Medicine is closed. The nomination deadline recorded for this listing was 15 March 2026, and the award was presented in Berlin on 1 October 2026. The foundation's page gives no date for the next call; it says each year's call is announced in the spring, so no next round is announced yet.
The award is given once a year by the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) to honour a project that improves healthcare in a country with limited resources, together with the person who leads it. Each year has a different theme. This guide explains how the 2026 round worked, so an Indian nonprofit can prepare for a future theme.
What the award offers
Since 2026 the award is worth EUR 250,000 (about ₹2.73 crore), up from EUR 100,000 until 2025. The money goes directly to the project. At least EUR 200,000 must be spent on running, developing or scaling up the winning project, and up to EUR 50,000 can go to the recognised leader and team for training, team development, study visits, conferences, coaching or staff bonuses. The money can be spent over up to three years.
The 2026 theme
The 2026 theme was people with disabilities. The foundation looked for cost-effective projects built into existing health services that combine health education and awareness with preventive and curative care, and that could serve as a model for the national health system. Approaches to community-based rehabilitation and inclusion that work across borders were given special consideration. Earlier themes included mobile clinics (2025), child health (2024), leprosy (2023), sustainable surgical care (2022), epidemic preparedness (2021) and neglected tropical diseases (2020). Expect a different theme next time, so read the call carefully before nominating.
Who can apply
A nonprofit or public-law body responsible for the project nominates it. It should be based in the project country or elsewhere in Europe, and government-run or government-affiliated organisations are not eligible. The project must be in a politically stable, safe developing country on the OECD DAC list, which includes India, and run by or with local partners. It must already be underway, have run for at least two years and be expected to continue for at least one more, and it must not have received funding from the foundation before. The nominated leader should show outstanding dedication and many years of experience in the field.
For Indian organisations: a registered Indian nonprofit running a qualifying health project can nominate its own project. This suits established, proven service programmes, not new ideas. It does not suit startups or for-profit companies.
How to nominate
A nomination runs up to six pages (plus a cover page and attachments) in German or English. The cover page gives the project title, nominating organisation and authorised representative, the nominated leader, and a half-page summary. The body covers context, relevance, activities so far, people reached, milestones and results, a project outline, a logical framework and a budget for the prize money. Attachments include cooperation agreements from all partners, proof of nonprofit status and a signed data storage consent form. Nominations are sent to the foundation by email before the deadline.
How nominations are judged
The foundation reviews nominations against the year's theme and the published criteria: quality, innovation, cost-effectiveness, integration into existing health services and value as a model, along with the leader's dedication and experience. The winner is honoured at a ceremony in Berlin.
About the foundation
The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is based in Bad Homburg, Germany, and funds medical research and humanitarian work. It is described in the listing as Germany's largest foundation funding medicine.
Things to check before you apply
- Closed now: no 2026 nominations can be made; subscribe to the foundation's newsletter or watch its call page.
- Foreign funds: Indian recipients of money from abroad should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before nominating.
- Theme changes yearly: your project must fit that year's theme.
- Two years of track record is required, so build your evidence now.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The award is endowed with EUR 250,000 (about ₹2.73 crore), paid to the nominating organisation as the funding recipient. At least EUR 200,000 must go to implementing, developing or scaling up the winning project, and up to EUR 50,000 may go to the recognised leader and team for further training, team development, study visits, conference participation, coaching or bonuses for project staff. The money may be spent over up to three years.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The foundation reviews nominations against the year's theme and published criteria: quality, innovation, cost-effectiveness, integration into existing health services and value as a model, together with the leader's dedication and experience. The winner is honoured at an award ceremony in Berlin.
Application Process
- 1
Theme announced
EKFS publishes the year's theme and guidelines in spring.
Provider - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Else Kröner Fresenius Award 2026 still open?
No. The recorded nomination deadline was 15 March 2026, and the award was presented in Berlin on 1 October 2026. The foundation says calls are announced in the spring and gives no date for the next one.
Can an Indian NGO apply for the Else Kröner Fresenius Award?
Yes, a registered nonprofit running a qualifying project in India can nominate it, because India is on the OECD DAC list of developing countries. Government-run organisations cannot.
How much is the award?
EUR 250,000 (about ₹2.73 crore) since 2026; it was EUR 100,000 until 2025. At least EUR 200,000 goes to the project and up to EUR 50,000 can support the leader and team.
How can the award money be used?
It must go mainly to running, developing or scaling up the winning project. Up to EUR 50,000 can fund training, study visits, conferences, coaching or staff bonuses for the leader and team, spread over up to three years.
What was the 2026 theme?
People with disabilities: cost-effective projects within existing health services combining awareness, prevention and care. The theme changes every year.
Can a startup or company apply?
No. The nominating body must be a nonprofit or public-law organisation. This award suits established service projects, not startups.
How long must the project have been running?
At least two years, with an expectation that it continues for at least one more. It must also not have been funded by the foundation before.
How do I submit a nomination?
Send a nomination of up to six pages in German or English, with the required attachments, to the foundation by the deadline. The foundation's page gives contact details for this.
Do I need to travel?
The award is presented at a ceremony in Berlin. The sources do not say whether the winner must attend or who pays travel costs.
Is there a fee, and when is the winner announced?
No fee is mentioned. In 2026 the award was presented on 1 October, about six and a half months after the deadline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
