The Else Kröner Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS – Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation) supports medical science and medical-humanitarian aid projects. The foundation is the largest shareholder of the healthcare group Fresenius and receives its income almost exclusively from them. In accordance with the statutes, the EKFS only promotes research projects whose results are accessible to the public.

Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research (Else Kröner Fresenius Preis für Medizinische Forschung) is a biennial research prize awarded for outstanding achievement in biomedical science. Each prize call is dedicated to a different field of medical research that promises particular progress in the near future. The theme of the 2025 award is ‘RNA-based therapies’.

Eligible for the prize are researchers in basic medical sciences or clinical sciences who have made outstanding scientific contributions to the field of RNA-based therapies. The candidate’s work in the coming years is expected to yield further groundbreaking discoveries or advances. Candidates can be of any nationality and work in any country.

Nominations of younger and mid-career scientists are favoured. They can be nominated by heads of research institutes or professional organisations.

The prize is endowed with €2.5 million, of which €500,000 is awarded to the recipient and €2 million is dedicated to the awardee’s future research.