The Global Research Initiative on Post-ICU Nutrition (GRIP) officially commenced its work with a landmark start meeting at Hotel Dukes’ Palace in Bruges, Belgium. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Elisabeth De Waele (Brussels, Belgium) and Vice-chaired by Prof. Dr. Arthur van Zanten (Ede-Wageningen, the Netherlands), this gathering brought together leading experts in intensive care, nutrition, rehabilitation, and implementation science from across the globe.
GRIP was founded to address one of the most pressing gaps in critical care: the nutritional management of patients after intensive care. Every year, millions of patients survive prolonged ICU stays, yet many face malnutrition, delayed recovery, and long-term complications. Despite its impact, the post-ICU phase, from the first ICU discharge up to one year, remains under-researched and poorly supported worldwide.
With its vision to ensure that every critically ill patient receives personalised, timely, and effective nutritional care throughout recovery, GRIP is set to advance research, education, and implementation. Its mission is to bridge evidence gaps, develop practical solutions, and empower both patients and healthcare professionals to optimise recovery through better nutrition.
The Bruges meeting marked the beginning of an ambitious global agenda. Participants defined research priorities across ten domains.
Outcomes of the meeting include the preparation of a consensus definition of the post-ICU patient, the design of collaborative research protocols, and plans for a scoping review and position paper to be presented at upcoming international congresses, including ESPEN 2025 in Prague and ISICEM 2026 in Brussels.
This first meeting has been made possible with the support of Nutricia-Danone.
About GRIP
The Global Research Initiative on Post-ICU Nutrition (GRIP) is an international collaborative platform dedicated to improving outcomes for patients recovering from critical illness through evidence-based, personalised nutrition. By fostering research, clinical innovation, and education, GRIP aims to ensure that patients worldwide receive the right nutrition, at the right time, in the right way.
Press Release
Bruges, Belgium – 22–23 March 2025