Paul Coates, PhD, Chair, American Society for Nutrition Foundation
Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Obesity and Nutritional Science, Novo Nordisk Foundation
Sarah Booth, PhD, President, American Society for Nutrition
Nutrition science is receiving unprecedented attention. In the U.S., new federal initiatives have spurred investments in nutrition from stakeholders across society, and globally there has been a renewed focus on the role of nutrition in improving health throughout the lifespan.
In response, our two philanthropic organizations –– the American Society for Nutrition Foundation (ASNF) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) –– have come together to launch two new award opportunities that aim to inspire the next generation of nutrition scientists and push the boundaries of innovation in the field.
The ASNF-NNF Henrik Dam Award for Scientific Discovery in Nutrition is targeted to mid-career members of the American Society for Nutrition involved in foundational or translational research and is valued at more than 2.25 million Danish kroner (~ $317,000 U.S. dollars, USD).
The ASNF-NNF Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to the Prevention and/or Management of Childhood Obesity will recognize an early-career physician (within 10 years of completing medical postdoctoral training) for groundbreaking contributions to understanding and managing childhood obesity. It is valued at approximately 500,000 Danish kroner (~ $70,000 USD).
We are excited to launch a call for nominations for these awards with a nomination deadline of January 31, 2025. Our inaugural award winners will be honored at NUTRITION 2025, being held May 31 – June 3 in Orlando, FL.
Scientific awards are more than accolades—they are a powerful recognition of academic and research excellence, often providing critical funding for groundbreaking projects. These new awards honor the legacies of two pioneering scientists and spotlight mid- and early-career professionals in the prime of their productivity. By joining forces, our two foundations emphasize the essential role of nutrition in advancing the global agenda on health, development, and overall well-being.
The ASNF-NNF Henrik Dam Award for Scientific Discovery in Nutrition
This award pays tribute to Henrik Dam, a Danish physiologist who at the age of 48 was awarded the 1943 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of vitamin K. This honor was shared with Edward Doisy, a scientist from Saint Louis University, whose research explored the chemical nature of vitamin K.
At the time of his landmark discovery, Dr. Dam’s primary focus was cholesterol metabolism. When chicks were fed sterol-free diets, they developed hemorrhages under the skin, in muscle, and in other organs. Through an elegant series of experiments and profound scientific reasoning, Dam identified vitamin K.
This discovery revolutionized our understanding of the essential role of fat-soluble vitamins in human health and exemplified the serendipity of scientific discovery. His pioneering work on lipid metabolism and nutritional biochemistry laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of micronutrients—an area of research that continues to have profound implications for global public health today.
His work also emphasized the importance of recognizing scientific rigor and discovery at every career stage, particularly mid-career.
Award Details:
- The award honors a mid-career professional (10–25 years post-terminal degree) who has made outstanding research contributions to our understanding of micronutrients, nutritional status, and/or metabolism.
- The award consists of a 1.7 million Danish kroner (DKK) (~$240,000 U.S. dollars, USD) research grant; 300,000 DKK (~$42,000 USD) personal award; and a 250,000 DKK (~$35,000 USD) grant to support a symposium at the recipient’s home institution.
- The awardee will present a plenary lecture at NUTRITION 2025 in Orlando, FL (May 31–June 3, 2025), with travel and registration expenses covered.
- Nominations submitted on behalf of eligible candidates will be accepted; self-nominations are not permitted.
- Scientists conducting foundational or translational research are encouraged to apply.
- Nominees must be employed by a university, hospital/medical center/health system, or other non-profit institution at the time of nomination and when receiving the award.
- Nominees must be ASN members and can be of any nationality.
- Current or former employees of a Novo Nordisk family company or the Novo Nordisk Foundation are not eligible for nomination.
The ASNF-NNF Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to the Prevention and/or Management of Childhood Obesity
This award is named for Danish physician Flemming Quaade, a forerunner in obesity research for his time, whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the field of metabolism and weight management. Quaade’s research in the 1960s on very-low-calorie diets, including the development of the protein-sparing modified fast, revolutionized the treatment of severe obesity. His work laid the foundation for modern dietary approaches and contributed to the understanding of the metabolic and hormonal changes that occur during fasting and weight loss.
The Flemming Quaade Award celebrates this legacy by encouraging early-career physicians to push the boundaries of research, explore novel interventions, and develop sustainable, effective strategies for addressing childhood obesity—a public health challenge that demands the same spirit of innovation and dedication that Dr. Quaade embodied throughout his career.
Award Details:
- The award recognizes an early-career physician (within 10 years of completing medical postdoctoral training) for groundbreaking contributions to understanding and managing childhood obesity.
- It includes a 500,000 DKK (~ $70,000 USD) research grant and travel to and registration for NUTRITION 2025 to attend the ASNF Awards Ceremony.
- Both nominations and self-nominations are permitted.
- Nominees do not have to be ASN members and can be of any nationality.
- Nominees must have demonstrated pioneering approaches that have advanced understanding of childhood obesity. This could include:
- Novel methods or techniques;
- Interdisciplinary strategies combining fields such as nutrition, endocrinology, pediatrics, psychology, or public health;
- Community-based interventions targeting childhood obesity at local or larger scales; and/or
- Research promoting sustainable, scalable, and effective solutions for the prevention or management of childhood obesity.
Eligibility, Criteria, and Application Process
Nominations for both awards will be accepted through the ASN Foundation’s Awards Portal until January 31, 2025. Required materials include:
- An online nomination form
- A personal statement outlining the intended use of research funds
- A CV
- Letters of recommendation
Selection committees comprised of American Society for Nutrition leaders will rank the applications and determine the winners. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has no influence over award selections.
Looking Ahead
The ASNF is grateful that the Novo Nordisk Foundation has generously funded these awards for an initial three-year period (2025–2027). These prestigious recognitions aim to fuel progress in nutrition science, attract and retain top talent in the field, and foster new innovations and collaborations.
We are confident these awards will serve as a catalyst for fresh ideas and transformative approaches to address critical challenges in nutrition science.
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these exceptional scientists at NUTRITION 2025 in Orlando.
About the American Society for Nutrition Foundation
The American Society for Nutrition Foundation (ASNF) complements and enhances ASN priorities and activities through the dissemination and application of nutrition science and education to improve public health and clinical practice worldwide and advancing the Society’s role as a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness. The ASNF’s broad portfolio of activities includes education, awards and scholarships, as well as recognition of lifetime achievement through our renowned Fellows program. The ASNF also raises funds to turn current challenges facing the field into opportunities that support the future. Visit us at nutrition.org/foundation.
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society. The funds for these philanthropic purposes derive from the foundation’s majority ownership in the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and investments in other companies. The investments and assets are managed by the foundation’s investment arm Novo Holdings.
