"Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): the silent epidemic. CKD is a progressive condition due to irreversible kidney damage and loss of function. Recent data show that 10% of the European population has some degree of CKD, sometimes progressing to dialysis or transplantation. The CKD prevalence is rising because it is linked to other modern epidemics such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes. Worldwide more than 50 million people are affected, leading to costs of more than 6% of health care budgets. Unfortunately in most cases people are unaware of the fact that they have CKD. In a recent meeting at the European Parliament, the European Kidney Health Alliance called for European health policies to support early identification and treatment of CKD. Efforts should be pulled together at European level by putting the prevention of CKD high on the agenda, through exchange of best practices between Member States and improvement of existing technologies for early CKD detection. Integrative Kidney Physiology and Pathophysiology – a Swiss Postdoctoral program. The main reason for the devastating consequences of impaired renal function is the central role of the kidneys in body homeostasis. In this regard our network of nephrologists and renal physiologists builds on a longstanding and strong tradition of kidney research in Switzerland. We propose to gather leading specialists in experimental and clinical nephrology to set up a new Postdoctoral program at Swiss Universities for European fellows, in order to strengthen integrative thinking and awareness for kidney-centered homeostatic systems. Our program will provide Europe with a new generation of kidney researchers and considerably improve the research quality of the ERA. Postdoctoral fellows will be trained in communication and management skills, which are indispensable for a successful career development. The ultimate goal will be to face the CKD epidemic by deciphering the mechanisms of normal and deranged kidney function."