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Fresenius Kabi and ESICM: Driving Progress in Medical Nutrition in Critical Care

Research and education to improve patient care in intensive medicine

January 23, 2026

Fresenius Kabi and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) continue their successful partnership to advance medical nutrition in critical care. This collaboration is built on two pillars:

Research

The ESICM–Fresenius Kabi Medical Nutrition Research Award supports innovative projects with a €20,000 grant, uniquely focusing on nutrition in intensive care. The award encourages evidence-based approaches and aims to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

The 2025 award was presented to Dr. Salvatore Lucio Cutuli from Italy for his project “Protein dosing in acute kidney injury: a randomized controlled trial.” His research is just beginning, and its results are expected to contribute valuable insights to evidence-based nutrition strategies in intensive care. Previous winners include Dr. Sandra Stoll from Germany and Prof. Arthur van Zanten from the Netherlands.

Applications for the 2026 award are open until March 29, 2026. Full details and application information are available at the ESICM website.

Dr. Salvatore Lucio Cutuli receives the 2025 ESICM–Fresenius Kabi Clinical Nutrition Research Award (€20,000) from Prof. Jan De Wale (left) and Prof. Ignacio Martin-Loeches (right).

Education

The ESICM eCourse “Nutrition in Critical Illness” offers an interactive, evidence-based introduction to nutrition and metabolic management in intensive care. The 2026 course takes place online on April 23–24 and is designed for intensive care doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals with a strong interest in medical nutrition. 

The program covers:

  • The value of observational and controlled studies for patient-centered outcomes
  • Assessment of nutrition status, timing, and risk of refeeding syndrome
  • Quality improvement and knowledge transfer to clinical practice
  • Enteral and parenteral nutrition, complications, and protocols
  • Physical rehabilitation and transition of care
Group photo of the fellowship team in Belgium.

The top 15 scoring participants receive fully supported fellowships, sponsored by Fresenius Kabi, across three leading intensive care units – for example Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium. Each fellowship lasts one week and includes a €1,000 bursary for travel and accommodation. Selection is based on course attendance, assessment performance, multidisciplinary and geographical representation, and a letter of motivation and support. This hands-on experience allows fellows to gain bedside teaching from experts, apply their knowledge in real clinical settings, and join an international network of peers.

More information and registration details can be found at Nutrition - Course & Fellowships - ESICM.