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Research opportunities funded in partnership

We are the leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research worldwide.
Content last reviewed and updated: 16.02.2024

JDRF offers research funding opportunities in partnership with other research funders. There are opportunities in a wide range of fields including autoimmunity, cell biology, mental health and more specialised type 1 diabetes research.

Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge logo

Following the £50 million donation to type 1 diabetes research from the Steve Morgan Foundation (SMF), we have partnered with Diabetes UK and SMF to launch the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge.

This generous sum is being spread between three promising areas: research to replace beta cells, develop novel insulins, and find the root causes of type 1.

If you have any questions or would like to be included on our distribution list for future Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge opportunities, please email smfgrandchallenge@jdrf.org.uk.

Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge – Novel Insulins Innovation Incubator call is now closed

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Partnership is delighted to invite applications for funding under the Novel Insulins research area.

This exciting new funding opportunity is designed to support transformative research in insulin development. This funding opportunity will make initial awards of up to £500,000 in phase 1.  The call is open to academics in all fields as well as small to medium size biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies. There are NO geographical restrictions.

Deadline: 30th January 2024 (5pm GMT).

For more information, please check the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge microsite – Novel Insulins Innovation Incubator call where you will find the call text, application form, guidelines and Terms & Conditions.

JDRF / MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowships

UKRI Medical Research Council logo

We have joined forces with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to fund registered diabetes healthcare professionals in the UK to undertake a PhD or to reacquire research skills.

This scheme supports clinically active healthcare professionals to undertake a higher research degree, such as a PhD or MD. It can also provide post-doctoral funding for applicants who achieved their PhD over five years ago but who have not been research active since due to clinical training commitments. The scheme provides funding for your salary and project costs for three years.

This funding opportunity is open. You can find more information about the scheme and how to apply on the UKRI funding finder.

Call opening: 8 February 2024
Closing date:
3 April 2024 16:00 GMT
Triage/Shortlisting: October 2024
Interviews: 13-14 November 2024

Future rounds open for application:

1) June 2024 – September 2024

2) October 2024 – January 2025

3) February 2025 – April 2025

Daniel Doherty is the latest person to receive the award. Read more about his PhD project researching how to make islet transplants more effective.

JDRF / Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation Fellowship

Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation logo

We have teamed up with The Novo Nordisk Research Foundation to co-fund a Research Fellowship in Clinical Diabetes. The 2024 Research Fellowship is available for Type 1 Diabetes applications only.

The Fellowship is open to doctors, nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals and offers funding for three years full-time or five years part-time.

Funding will cover the directly incurred costs of the Fellow including:

  • Salary
  • Registration costs for a higher degree
  • Consumables a up to a maximum of £8,000 per annum

Research Fellowships go through a two-stage process consisting of an initial preliminary application. Applicants who are successful at the preliminary stage will be asked to submit a full application and will be asked to present their proposal to the Research Selection Committee.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive valuable education through training courses and individual support.

This funding opportunity is now closed. For more information, please visit the The Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation website. To apply for the fellowship, you must be living and working in the UK and your project must be based in the UK.

Deadline for Preliminary Research Fellowship applications was 11 December 2023
Outcome of preliminary review: 31 January 2024
Deadline for Research Fellowship full applications: 19 February 2024 (on invitation only)
Shortlisted Research Fellow applicants interviews: 15 March 2024
Outcome notification: 5 April 2024

Connect Immune Research

Connect Immune Research logo

Connect Immune Research is a pioneering research initiative in which organisations tackling autoimmune conditions join forces to address the root causes of autoimmunity.

The call for Connect Immune Research Lab Placement Grants is now closed.
The deadline was Thursday 22 June 2023.

Connect Immune Research Lab Placement Grants offer funding for early career researchers to undertake a placement at another research organisation, in order to learn new skills and techniques. Grants of up to £1,500 are available for overseas placements and up to £1,000 for UK-based placements.

The scheme is open to researchers with an interest in autoimmunity from year two of their PhD up to and including those with five years’ postdoctoral experience. Applicants must be BSI members and based in the UK.

All placements should demonstrate cross-condition relevance to promote networking, sharing of skills and knowledge between researchers who focus on different autoimmune conditions.

Applications are considered twice a year. We will update this page when this funding call reopens. Visit the British Society for Immunology website to find more information and the application form for the lab placement grants.

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