The EndoCompass Project
A collaborative initiative to shape research priorities in endocrine and paediatric endocrine science, led by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE).
The EndoCompass Research Roadmap will be published as an open-access supplement in the European Journal of Endocrinology and the Hormone Research in Paediatrics journal.
Shaping the future of endocrine research
Endocrine diseases affect millions of people across Europe, yet research into hormone health remains underfunded and fragmented. The EndoCompass Roadmap aims to change this by setting out what’s required to make strategic and equitable funding a reality.
Developed by 228 experts from across Europe, and covering all major endocrine fields, the roadmap outlines specific research needs and opportunities in eight specialist areas and six cross-cutting areas of endocrine health and disease. These recommendations are intended to inform funding and policy decisions at European and national levels, enhance the coordination and visibility of endocrine research, and ultimately contribute to better health for all.
By clearly defining research gaps, EndoCompass will also help:
- Articulate research priorities in service of other funding mechanisms
- Attract and encourage young researchers in endocrine research
- Align the endocrine community around shared research goals
- Improve patient care by identifying clinical priorities
- Drive innovation in areas like endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare
Uniting Europe’s endocrine community
EndoCompass represents the collective expertise of the European endocrine community, bringing together clinical experts, researchers, patient advocacy groups and specialist partners. The project is jointly led by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), reflecting endocrinology's impact at every stage of life.
A cross-disciplinary collaborative effort
Numerous experts in clinical, translational and basic science collaborated in the development of the Roadmap, alongside contributions from across the research pipeline, including biochemists, molecular biologists, clinician researchers and epidemiologists. External researchers in cross-cutting areas, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and artificial intelligence (AI), provided additional expertise to ensure the Roadmap reflected the latest advancements and interdisciplinary connections in endocrine research.
The patient perspective
To ensure EndoCompass is truly relevant to those most affected – the patients – their voices have been central throughout the process. Several Patient Advocacy Groups and individuals worked closely with researchers and clinical experts to shape research recommendations that address their lived experiences.
For more information, please contact the EndoCompass Roadmap project manager, Srđan Pandurević.
Project jointly led by:
Project partners:
Thanks also to the patient advocacy groups that provided a patient perspective in the selection of research priorities: British Thyroid Foundation, Congenital Hyperinsulinism International, The International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance, Living with CAH, MRKH Connect, Thyroid Federation International, Turner Syndrome Support Society, Varia Suisse.
We are also grateful to the early career representatives of the ESE Young Endocrinologists and Scientists (EYES) and the Young ESPE group (YES) for their contribution to the project.
Martin Fassnacht, ESE co-lead
Eleanor Davies, ESE co-lead
Martine Cools, ESPE co-lead
Evelien Gevers ESPE co-lead
Cynthia Andoniadou
Jérôme Bertherat
Felix Beuschlein
Simona Glasberg
Anita Hokken-Koelega
Anton Luger
Jonathan Mertens
Robin Peeters
Alberto Pereira Arias
Martin Reincke
Specialist areas (listed alphabetically)
Adrenal and Cardiovascular Endocrinology
Leads: Guillaume Assié, Eystein Husebye, Nils Krone and Maria-Cristina Zennaro
Calcium and Bone Endocrinology
Leads: Wolfgang Högler, Katharina Jähn-Rickert and Peter Kamenicky
Cancer and Endocrinology
Leads: Jason Carroll, Frédéric Castinetti, Cecilia Follin, Raúl Luque and Annemarie Verrijn Stuart
Diabetes and Obesity
Leads: Indi Bannerjee, Chantal Mathieu, Uberto Pagotto, Liesbeth van Rossum and Martin Wabitsch
Congenital Hyperinsulism lead: Indi Banerjee
Growth Disorders
Leads: Evelien Gevers, Anita Hokken-Koelega and Maithé Tauber
Pituitary Endocrinology and Neuroendocrine Tumours
Leads: Justo Castaño, Mehul Tulsidas Dattani, Simona Grozinsky-Glasberg, Niki Karavitaki and Marianne Pavel
Reproductive and Developmental Endocrinology
Leads: Martine Cools, Anders Juul, Csilla Krausz and Đuro Macut
Thyroid Endocrinology
Leads: Rosella Elisei, Juliane Léger and Agnieszka Piekiełko-Witkowska
Transverse areas (listed alphabetically)
Artificial Intelligence
Leads: Guillaume Assié and Gustavo Carneiro
Endocrinology Across the Lifespan
Leads: Martine Cools, Evelien Gevers, Anita Hokken-Koelega, Gudmundur Johannsson and AJ van der Lely
Environmental Endocrinology
Leads: Anna-Maria Andersson, Stefano Cianfarani and Josef Köhrle
Endocrine Laboratory Medicine
Lead: Annemieke Heijboer
Rare Diseases
Leads: Olaf Hiort and Alberto Pereira Arias
The Place of Endocrinology in European Research Funding – An Analysis of Horizon 2020
Authors: Dirk De Rijdt, Yulia Matskevich and Srđan Pandurević
Finding Your Way With EndoCompass
EndoCompass is a resource for the whole community to cite and share. Over the next few months, look out for information to help you:
- Navigate EndoCompass: What is EndoCompass and where can you find it?
- Explore and engage: How do the recommendations relate to your area of work?
- Spread the word: How can you help share EndoCompass with colleagues, organisations and networks to strengthen its impact?
- Widen the impact: How can you get involved in ongoing activities to help turn recommendations into action?