At the ESC, our commitment goes beyond advancing science – it is about ensuring that life-saving knowledge and care reach all communities including those where the need is greatest.
Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s biggest health burden, but access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, education and research capacity is not equal everywhere. The new ESC Fund was created in 2025 to close the gaps in heart health equity by mobilising philanthropic resources and developing partnerships to drive meaningful change.
Mr Jean-François Riffaud, Chief Executive Officer of the ESC, explains: "The ESC brings together the biggest brains in cardiovascular science from around the world to pave the way for progress and provide platforms to share breakthroughs. But this is not enough. We know that this knowledge is not aways accessible to those who need it most and not always applicable in different countries and community settings – ESC Fund is our vehicle to change this.”
ESC Fund is distinct from the ESC but shares a commitment to social impact and equitable access to information and training. “By leveraging the ESC’s global network and in partnership with NGOs, associations, patients and philanthropists, ESC Fund is helping to translate innovation into clinical practice in accessible and scalable ways,” says Professor Cecilia Linde, ESC President Elect. She continues: “Its activities will include developing practical solutions that strengthen local healthcare systems, promote prevention strategies grounded in evidence and empower education.”
Indeed, closing the knowledge gap is a key aim of its first project: the ESC Fund Basic Cardiovascular Science Course.* In June 2026, 50 early career clinicians and scientists were chosen to spend a week learning from experts in France followed by a two-week placement in a leading European lab later this year. Applications from around the world were encouraged, particularly from low- and middle-income countries, with financial support provided to all selected candidates.
Explaining why basic science was the first priority for ESC Fund, Course Co-Chair, Professor Cinzia Perrino, says: “We’re seeing changes to how students, fellows, residents and postdocs are trained. There has been a switch away from students focusing on pathophysiological mechanisms before moving to clinical medicine. Now students are learning about the effects of drugs and devices without a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms, creating a knowledge gap between those who treat patients and those who do fundamental research.” Professor Paul Evans, Course Co-Chair, highlights the advantages of fostering close interaction between basic researchers and clinicians: “As scientists, it’s really important to understand the problems that your research is addressing. Meeting with clinicians and hearing about the issues they face every day is hugely beneficial and helps everyone learn to speak the same language – this is essential for future cardiovascular innovation.”
A second ESC Fund project is also underway, this time focusing on improving clinical outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome who have had a percutaneous intervention. Many of these patients are susceptible to secondary events, despite clear guideline targets, and the new project aims to bridge this gap.
Mr Riffaud concludes by saying that ESC Fund is a new way for the cardiovascular community to act collectively: “ESC Fund provides a unique opportunity for philanthropists to express their commitment towards the mission they share with the ESC – accelerating cardiovascular health equity,” he ends.
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*The ESC Fund Basic Cardiovascular Science Course was made possible with the support of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.