Breakthrough T1D Project Concepts Grant

Breakthrough T1D Project Concepts Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Breakthrough T1D ( Formally JDRF International)
Last Updated: June 23, 2025

Summary

The Breakthrough T1D Project Concepts Grant aims to enhance the lives of individuals with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) while working towards a cure. With a focus on early detection, disease-modifying therapies, and community engagement, this initiative seeks to reduce the burden of T1D through innovative research strategies. By fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians, the grant prioritizes projects that accelerate the delivery of life-changing therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for the T1D community.

Overview

Breakthrough T1D research strategy- Improving lives, curing T1DType 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This results in a life-long dependence on carefully titrated exogenous insulin. Breakthrough T1D estimates that approximately 1.4 million people in the US and around 20 million globally are affected by this condition. As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. We have come a long way toward our goal of cures with the availability of automated glucose measurement and management systems, improved insulins, and a promising pipeline of therapeutic candidates that have the potential to modify the course of the disease and reduce insulin dependence. However, there is still a long way to go. Research strategy goals Our research strategy has two pillars: curing T1D and improving the lives of individuals with T1D. We will focus on the following over the next five years: Early Detection Develop and execute a global universal T1D early detection strategy that reduces DKA at diagnosis, identifies high-risk individuals for early detection, accelerates the evaluation of disease-modifying therapies, recognizes individuals who will be eligible for approved preventive treatments, and develop cost-benefit analyses of screening for payer assessment. Disease-Modifying Therapies Accelerate the development of disease-modifying therapies that delay, stop, or reverse the development and progression of T1D, enable clinical testing of these therapies, and facilitate the development of business models to support T1D drug development and commercialization. Cell Therapies Accelerate the development of first-generation beta cell replacement products, demonstrating at least 6 months of reduction in insulin requirements, potentially with the use of local immunosuppression. Improving Lives Improve overall outcomes in people with T1D (and potentially a broader population of individuals with insulin-requiring diabetes), reduce disease burden and complications, and reduce barriers to the adoption of newly approved life-changing breakthroughs. Growing the T1D Research Community Foster a community of T1D researchers and clinicians through training awards and networking activities, and bridge the gap between endocrinologists, transplant surgeons, psychologists, and immunologists.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Institutional EligibilityDomestic & foreign non-profit organizations; public & private universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories; units of state & local governments; eligible agencies of the federal government.Applicant EligibilityRequired: MD, DMD, DVM, PhD, or equivalent and faculty position or equivalent.

Ineligibility

Ordinarily, for-profit organizations will not be considered, except under special circumstances.Indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of direct costs (direct costs do not include equipment costs, fee-for-services, consultants, or subcontract costs).