How to apply for a JDRF grant

All JDRF grants are reviewed and awarded through our centralised Grant Center in the US, except for our UK-specific research funding opportunities and those we fund in partnership with other organisations.

How do I use the JDRF grant application system?

We use the research management system, RMS360, to receive, process and track applications for JDRF funding. You can apply for a grant by registering for an RMS360 account. You will then find the ‘Apply Now’ button under the ‘Funding Opportunities’ section of RMS360 homepage.

How can I get help with my application?

First, take a look at our FAQs about how to use RMS360 which contains screenshots to help you resolve your issues.

If you have questions about our grants or administration process, please contact JDRF’s Scientific and Grant Administration staff. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please email preawardsupport@jdrf.org

Charity support funding for universities

As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), JDRF are eligible for the Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF). The CRSF is a pot of government funding given to universities to cover the indirect costs of research, such as the administration overheads, library costs, and shared IT.

The CRSF supports our investment in university research across England, and equivalent schemes exist in each of the devolved nations. The Scottish Funding Council provides charity support via its Research Excellence Grant for universities in Scotland. The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales supports university research through their Quality Research funding stream. The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland administers funding for university research through their Dual Support System taking place in universities there.

If you want to know more about the scheme, the AMRC has some helpful FAQs about the CSRF.

How do we choose the research we fund?

We only fund research that is directly relevant to our research strategy to improve lives and cure type 1 diabetes. Find out more about JDRF’s research strategy to ensure that your application fits our mission and current priorities.

We always consider the quality and relevance of the proposed research to people with type 1 when making our funding decisions. We encourage researchers to submit innovative, high-risk/high-reward, field-changing research proposals to accelerate our mission.

How do we review research proposals?

First, our scientific and administrative staff carry out an admin check. They ensure the application is complete, meets JDRF requirements, and aligns with our overall strategy. Upon request, we can provide feedback at this stage on whether your application has progressed.

What happens in stage 1 of the review?

Next, the proposal moves to stage 1 of the review process where the Core Program Team (CPT), made of scientists focused on the project’s research area, reviews the application. The CPTs call on external reviewers – meaning they are independent of JDRF – to advise them on most applications. The external reviewers and CPTs assess the research proposal based on its scientific validity, technical feasibility, innovation and timescale. They also consider the significance of the research funding application. This includes the project’s potential impact on type 1 diabetes treatments, how it is relevant to people with type 1, and whether it addresses a critical gap in our understanding of the condition.

What happens in stage 2 of the review?

Stage 2 of the review process involves the Cure/Improving Lives senior management team assessing the research proposal. This team comprises JDRF’s entire research department, who prioritise projects that can be developed into real therapies fastest. The team also considers how relevant the research is to our overall goals, specific research priorities and our existing project portfolio.

What happens in stage 3 of the review?

If the application reaches stage 3, we make a final decision on whether we will fund it. For projects with smaller budgets, this decision rests with the JDRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr Sanjoy Dutta. For all other projects, the executive research committee of JDRF’s International Board of Directors, who are mostly lay people, make the decision.

Is our research application review process fair?

JDRF has passed the AMRC Peer Review Audit, a hallmark of quality research funding.

How are our other research grants assessed?

Grants funded by JDRF UK directly follow a different assessment process. Read more about the JDRF UK Small Grant Awards.

For the approval of the grants we offer in partnership with other organisations, we work with the partners throughout the process. The final decision is agreed through JDRF’s governance processes.