The race for a cure

Bringing the world’s best scientists together to accelerate the development of new treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes

About us

Type 1 diabetes researcher at microscope

Partners

The Steve Morgan Foundation, Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D are united by our ambition to cure type 1 diabetes

413k

people living with type 1 diabetes in the UK

£50m

invested to supercharge the race to a cure

3

pioneering areas of research

A game-changing partnership

Hear from Steve and Sally Morgan about their hopes for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

19

ground-breaking research projects underway

161

brilliant researchers and collaborators teaming up to tackle type 1

47

institutes supporting cutting-edge science

Find out why Steve Morgan has joined forces with Breakthrough T1D and Diabetes UK to find better treatments and a cure

The Morgans’ story

Latest news & views

Views

January 9, 2026

Targeting the immune system to prevent type 1 diabetes

We interviewed Dr James Pearson, a Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge researcher, who is investigating ways to prevent the immune system attack in type 1 diabetes. His research could help hold off the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing beta cells, which could delay or stop type 1 diabetes development altogether. If last year’s event was filled with anticipation and ambitious possibility, this year’s was defined by confidence, progress, and palpable momentum. Across every session, the message was clear: The Grand Challenge is delivering impact, and the pace is accelerating.

News

Professor David Hodson in his lab, sitting next to a microscope

December 19, 2025

Four UK teams awarded funding to advance beta cell therapy research

Four research teams across the UK have been awarded over £600,000 in funding to help establish a reliable supply of stem cell-derived beta cells for research purposes, and speed up progress into beta cell therapies aimed at curing type 1 diabetes.

Views

Group photograph of attendees of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge symposium 2025

December 10, 2025

Grand Challenge Symposium 2025: Momentum accelerates as progress becomes reality

Nearly 200 delegates from nine countries came together for this year’s Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Symposium. A gathering that not only provided updates on the world-leading science funded by the programme but also demonstrated just how much the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge community has grown in just over three years. If last year’s event was filled with anticipation and ambitious possibility, this year’s was defined by confidence, progress, and palpable momentum. Across every session, the message was clear: The Grand Challenge is delivering impact, and the pace is accelerating.

Putting people affected by type 1 diabetes at the heart of research.

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge brings together scientists and the type 1 community to drive forward progress in areas that matter most to people with type 1.

How to get involved