The Premios Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo celebrate 38 years of promoting nephrology research in Spain. This year, two categories are open for submission: Nephrology Research and Nephrology Nursing. The awards, endowed with €10,000 and €5,000 respectively, represent the highest recognition for kidney research in our country. The deadline for submitting applications will remain open until June 30.
The Fundación Renal Española is launching a new edition of the Premios Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo de Nephrology Research, the longest-standing and most prestigious awards in the field of nephrology in Spain. As a new development, the previous categories of basic research and clinical research have been merged into a single category entitled “Nephrology Research” which will recognize both basic or experimental research and clinical or applied studies aimed at advancing knowledge of kidney morphology and physiology, as well as the etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of kidney diseases. Furthermore, this new unified category is being internationalized to accept work from any European country. This year marks the XXXVIII edition in the Nephrology Research category and the XXVI edition in the category Nephrology Nursing.
Nearly four decades recognizing research excellence
Since their creation, the Premios Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo have honored research across all areas of nephrology, including hemodialysis, glomerulopathies, kidney transplantation, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis, and acute kidney injury, among others. Throughout their history, they have recognized projects from across Spain, with particularly strong representation from teams based in Madrid and Catalonia, followed by Andalusia, Asturias, Castile and León, the Valencian Community, the Canary Islands, Galicia, the Basque Country, and Cantabria.
Who can apply?
The Nephrology Research award, endowed with €10,000, is open to graduates or PhDs in medicine, health sciences, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, biological sciences, or any related university discipline, residing in any European country, who have conducted unpublished research or work published in 2025 or 2026.
The Nephrology Nursing award, endowed with €5,000, is aimed at nursing professionals residing in Spain who have carried out unpublished research or work published in 2025 or 2026.
A firm commitment to research in the face of a growing disease
Chronic Kidney Disease affects approximately 15% of the global population—around 850 million people—and causes more than 2.4 million deaths annually, ranking among the ten deadliest diseases according to the WHO. In Spain, both prevalence and mortality have increased by nearly 30% over the past decade, with more than 64,000 people requiring renal replacement therapy.
In response to this reality, the Fundación Renal Española maintains its longstanding commitment to research, allocating more than 3.6% of its budget to R&D. In addition to these awards, the Foundation promotes research through the Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica (IRSIN) and its own research unit.
Submission of applications
Entries must be submitted in PDF format to premiosiat@fundacionrenal.es before June 30, 2026. The jury’s decision will be announced before the end of the year.
