Stem Cell Derived Beta Cell Foundry

Amount: Up to £5M but we strongly encourage in-kind financial contributions from the Principal Applicant’s Host Institution

Duration: 5 years

Skills: Independent group leader with a track record of producing stem cell derived beta cells and innovating protocols

Location: Principal Applicant must be based at an academic Host Institution in the UK

Process: Two Stage: 1) Initial discussion with the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge (T1DGC) Research Funding Team; 2) Full Application and Interview

Initial discussion deadline: 21 June 2023 requested a call, with all calls having taken place by 28 June 2023. Full application deadline: 21 August 2023 and interviews: w/c 25 Sept 2023

Purpose:

To generate high-quality metabolically and immunogenically profiled wild-type and genetically modified stem cell derived beta cells for distribution for academic research purposes. These do not need to be GMP compliant

The availability of stem cell derived beta cells for academic research studies is limited due to the expertise needed and costs associated with production. Therefore, to enable research to be conducted at scale and for more researchers to focus on the development and advancement of beta cell therapies as a viable treatment strategy for people living with type 1 diabetes, we want to remove this barrier. To do so we have allocated up to £5M over five years to support the creation of a Foundry: A Stem Cell Derived Beta Cell Production and Distribution Centre led by an independent non-clinical or clinical group leader affiliated with an academic Host Institution within the UK.

Scope

Our vision is that the infrastructure established through this funding call will create a facility that helps to grow the beta cell research community within the UK. To maximise the utility and impact of this resource we ask that the Foundry has the capability to reliably produce genetically modified as well as wild-type stem cell derived beta cells that are mature and functional and potentially islets. Consideration should also be given to the development of appropriate freeze-thaw protocols to enable cell transportation. Other capabilities may be included with justification.

We ask that the Foundry prioritises collaborations with current and future T1DGC funded researchers. The T1DGC Research Funding team want to work closely with the appointed leader of the Foundry to provide stem cell derived beta cells to enable high-risk high-reward ideas to be tested at pace and to enable researchers from outside of the type 1 diabetes research community to focus on the development of beta cell therapies. A proportion of the stem cell derived beta cells produced may also be utilised by those listed on the application – Principal Applicant, Co-Applicant/s and Collaborator/s.

All applications should include a costing model with justifications that factors in how the available T1DGC funds, up to £5M over five years, will be used to cover consumable, staff and equipment costs. For example, we would expect Applicants to note how many researchers would be needed to produce a set number of stem cell derived beta cells/islets (X) over a defined period of time (Y). We also request that Applicants include a plan to transition the Foundry from fully funded by the T1DGC to financial independence. The goal being to produce a sustainable resource that outlives the initial five-year investment. This means that we encourage Applicants to consider longevity in their proposals and to clearly state how the Foundry will become self-sufficient over time. This could include but is not limited to the adoption of a cost per service model, scaling the facility over time and/or the provision of cells to groups outside of the UK as the Foundry matures.

Eligibility criteria

This call is open to non-clinical and clinical independent group leaders based at an academic Host Institution within the UK. Applications must be led by one Principal Applicant but can include other experts from their Host Institution as Co-Applicants. We ask that Co-applicant/s are involved in the development of the application and who, if funded, would have some responsibility for the management and/or delivery of certain aspects of the Foundry. Experts based at other Host Institutions should be listed as Collaborators. Collaborators provide specific expertise but are not responsible for delivery. We will not consider jointly led applications. This is because the Foundry must be based in one location and can’t be spread across multiple sites.

Skills and expertise

The Principal Applicant must have a track record of pioneering innovative approaches to generate stem cell derived beta cells. It is at the discretion of the Principal Applicant to recruit other experts to their research team as deemed necessary. These individuals do not have to have a track record in beta cell research but can bring complementary skills and expertise to the application.

Application process

This is a closed application so researchers who are interested in applying to this call need to first contact the T1DGC Research Funding team (smfgrandchallenge@diabetes.org.uk). This step will ensure that we can answer any questions about this opportunity and ensure all Applicants are prepared to pull together a detailed and competitive full application. Full applications will be opened on our system once these initial conversations have taken place.

Those interested in applying to this call need to reach out to us by the 21 June 2023.

All initial conversations will need to have taken place by 28 June 2023.

Full applications will need to be submitted by the 21 August 2023.

Interviews will take place w/c 25 September 2023.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be scientifically assessed by a subset of the Beta Cell Therapy Reviewer college, a group of international beta cell experts. The reviewers will focus on:

• The ability of the Principal Applicant to build and lead the proposed Foundry.
• The skills and expertise of the team, Co-Applicant/s and Collaborator/s, recruited to help devise the Foundry proposal and support the Principal Applicant.
• The research environment and the measures put in place to enable the Foundry to succeed, such as access to necessary facilities.
• The feasibility of the proposed milestone driven strategy to establish and sustain the Foundry. This should include how requests for cells will be triaged and collaborations established.
• The potential for impact on beta cell and islet research in the UK over the next five years.
• The sustainability plan, with an emphasis on the financial model needed to allow the Foundry to become self-sufficient over time and ensure that this is a resource that will outlast the five-year funding.

Applications will also be reviewed by experts by experience: people living with and affected by type 1 diabetes who are on the Diabetes UK Grants Advisory Panel (GAP). GAP does not comment on the scientific quality of the research but ensures that the research is relevant and important to people living with diabetes. It will be important for Applicants to convey the value of having a Foundry for the research community to access and to outline how this could lead to advancements that will benefit people living with type 1 diabetes. We encourage Applicants to also consider if there are innovative or novel opportunities presented by the Foundry to involve people living with and affected by type 1 diabetes.

Guidelines and terms and conditions

General Guidelines for Research Grant Applicants
Steve Morgan Foundation Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Grant Conditions

Financial leverage is essential to the T1DGC initiative as we can do more together. Therefore, we ask that Applicants discuss this opportunity with their Host Institution and explore how we can work in partnership such as covering indirect costs and making contributions to the direct costs of research.

The up to £5M over five years can be used to cover:

• Material and consumable costs.
• Staff salaries. For example: technicians, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers*. Our Beta Cell Scientific Advisory Panel envision that a minimum of five members of staff would initially be required, three to produce the wild-type stem cell derived beta and cells and two to produce genetically modified lines.
• Project manager/co-ordinator costs may be provided in some cases, if essential, but this must be fully justified within the application.
• Travel and accommodation costs to visit collaborating institutes.
• Foundry specific equipment and associated maintenance costs for the duration of the grant.

* Studentships are an ineligible cost for this funding call. Diabetes UK will also not pay salaries on a cost recovery basis and is, therefore, unwilling to meet the salary costs of staff currently funded by the Higher Education Funding Council, NHS or equivalent. Where Principal Applicants or Co-Applicants salaries are dependent on grant funding, we would require a letter from the Host Institute confirming this. Diabetes UK will pay for named staff with specific expertise. If unsure if the salary of a post will be covered, please contact the office to clarify. Costs for National Insurance contributions and any superannuation should be added to salary costs at the point of application. These costs will not be considered after an award has been made. Known salary increments may be included on the application form but national pay awards may not.

Enquiries

For any questions about the Grand Challenge, please contact the SMF Grand Challenge Funding Team: SMFGrandChallenge@diabetes.org.uk

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Partnership invites applications for immune-focused grant funding under the Root Causes of Type 1 Diabetes research area.

Purpose of the funding call

This call seeks to foster the development and productivity of the best and the brightest established independent researchers who will bridge the gap between the bench and bedside. Its purpose is to avert the immune attack on pancreatic islet cells that underlies type 1 diabetes.

A particular focus of this call is on immunotherapy for the type 1 diabetes field in relation to both the new onset and cell therapy settings. For example, how to move screening and immunotherapy from clinical trials into widespread clinical adoption, and how to integrate immune knowledge into the developing field of beta cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes.

Proposals eligible for consideration will describe studies that accelerate type 1 diabetes research and will help change lives for people affected by type 1 diabetes.

Award amount and duration

This programme will award grants of up to £2 million over a period of up to two years.

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge intends to award up to two grants as a result of this call for proposals.

Supporting innovative collaborations

Collaborative proposals are preferred particularly where the collaborative approach brings together two or more scientists with unique yet complementary skills to address gaps in the field that require technological, subject-matter, or analytical expertise more expansive than might be available in individual laboratories. For example, where one of the labs has expertise in diabetes research and the other is from adjacent fields such as biotechnology, bioengineering, autoimmunity, drug discovery among others. Collaborations with partners outside the UK will be considered if such collaborations add unique skills or resources.

Importance of involving people living with type 1

Meaningful involvement of people who live with type 1 diabetes can improve the quality and relevance of basic and clinical research by providing a different perspective on research. Inclusive research is also essential for generating more generalisable results and ultimately better healthcare.

Please ensure that the views and needs of people living with type 1 diabetes are taken into account in the development of your application. Please also consider equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in your proposal including any limitations and how you would propose to address these.

There are helpful resources on JDRF’s participation, engagement and involvement page. Please note that the Grand Challenge Root Causes of Type 1 Diabetes assessment panel includes people living with type 1 diabetes.

Eligibility criteria

The focus for these awards is on early- to mid-career stage researchers, boosting rising stars and emerging leaders and helping them to establish novel collaborations and cement collaborative expertise.

This call is open to clinical and non-clinical researchers.

The principal investigator must be affiliated with UK academic or medical institutions and have a contract of employment which extends beyond the termination date of the award.

Applicants must have:

• An established track record and future research plans that demonstrate the ability to deliver and plan novel and innovative research, which has impact and international recognition in your field through a range of outputs.
• Evidence of successful national/international collaborations e.g. collective research outputs and/or leveraged funding.
• Evidence of leveraged independent research funding through e.g. intermediate fellowships, project funding, industrial support.
• Evidence of relevant skills needed to facilitate the translation of their research. A vision for the potential clinical impact of their research and the pathway to achieve it, including clear plans to encourage translation within their research group and/or with collaborators.
• A long-term scientific direction for their own independent research group.
• Evidence of leadership skills e.g. through managing and providing career development support for their own research group, identifying talented postdocs and support acceleration of their independency, leading a clinical unit or clinical screening programme.
• A track record of communicating and sharing their own research outcomes effectively with the wider community through e.g. scientific conferences, media engagement (both social and mainstream), patient involvement (where appropriate).

Timeline and deadlines for your research proposal

Launch Date: 28 February 2023
DEADLINE FOR LETTER OF INTENT: 18 April 2023
Invitation to Full proposals: 4 May 2023
DEADLINE FOR INVITED FULL APPLICATIONS: 22 June 2023
Invitation to Rebuttal: 1 August 2023
DEADLINE FOR REBUTTAL: 15 August 2023
ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE (subject to changes): 29 September 2023
Earliest Start Date: 30 October 2023

Funding application process

This call for proposals involves a two-step assessment process.

Applicants should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), online via RMS360, to provide a brief overview of their research plan. The LOI template is provided in RMS360.

All LOI will be assessed by the Grand Challenge Root Causes of Type 1 Diabetes panel.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application (Proposal) with detailed research plans. The full application must be completed using the template provided in RMS360.

Proposals will be subjected to external reviewing and will be followed by a rebuttal invitation.

All Proposals will then be assessed by the Grand Challenge Root Causes of Type 1 Diabetes panel.

Guidelines and Terms & Conditions

Detailed guidelines and the Terms & Conditions applying to this scheme are also available through RMS360 under the Additional Attachments tab.

Enquiries about this funding call

If you have any questions about this funding call, please email smfgrandchallenge@jdrf.org.uk

Stem Cell Derived Beta Cell Foundry

Amount: Up to £5M but we strongly encourage in-kind financial contributions from the Principal Applicant’s Host Institution

Duration: 5 years

Skills: Independent group leader with a track record of producing stem cell derived beta cells and innovating protocols

Location: Principal Applicant must be based at an academic Host Institution in the UK

Process: Two Stage: 1) Initial discussion with the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge (T1DGC) Research Funding Team; 2) Full Application and Interview

Initial discussion deadline: 21 June 2023 requested a call, with all calls having taken place by 28 June 2023. Full application deadline: 21 August 2023 and interviews: w/c 25 Sept 2023

Purpose:

To generate high-quality metabolically and immunogenically profiled wild-type and genetically modified stem cell derived beta cells for distribution for academic research purposes. These do not need to be GMP compliant

The availability of stem cell derived beta cells for academic research studies is limited due to the expertise needed and costs associated with production. Therefore, to enable research to be conducted at scale and for more researchers to focus on the development and advancement of beta cell therapies as a viable treatment strategy for people living with type 1 diabetes, we want to remove this barrier. To do so we have allocated up to £5M over five years to support the creation of a Foundry: A Stem Cell Derived Beta Cell Production and Distribution Centre led by an independent non-clinical or clinical group leader affiliated with an academic Host Institution within the UK.

Scope

Our vision is that the infrastructure established through this funding call will create a facility that helps to grow the beta cell research community within the UK. To maximise the utility and impact of this resource we ask that the Foundry has the capability to reliably produce genetically modified as well as wild-type stem cell derived beta cells that are mature and functional and potentially islets. Consideration should also be given to the development of appropriate freeze-thaw protocols to enable cell transportation. Other capabilities may be included with justification.

We ask that the Foundry prioritises collaborations with current and future T1DGC funded researchers. The T1DGC Research Funding team want to work closely with the appointed leader of the Foundry to provide stem cell derived beta cells to enable high-risk high-reward ideas to be tested at pace and to enable researchers from outside of the type 1 diabetes research community to focus on the development of beta cell therapies. A proportion of the stem cell derived beta cells produced may also be utilised by those listed on the application – Principal Applicant, Co-Applicant/s and Collaborator/s.

All applications should include a costing model with justifications that factors in how the available T1DGC funds, up to £5M over five years, will be used to cover consumable, staff and equipment costs. For example, we would expect Applicants to note how many researchers would be needed to produce a set number of stem cell derived beta cells/islets (X) over a defined period of time (Y). We also request that Applicants include a plan to transition the Foundry from fully funded by the T1DGC to financial independence. The goal being to produce a sustainable resource that outlives the initial five-year investment. This means that we encourage Applicants to consider longevity in their proposals and to clearly state how the Foundry will become self-sufficient over time. This could include but is not limited to the adoption of a cost per service model, scaling the facility over time and/or the provision of cells to groups outside of the UK as the Foundry matures.

Eligibility criteria

This call is open to non-clinical and clinical independent group leaders based at an academic Host Institution within the UK. Applications must be led by one Principal Applicant but can include other experts from their Host Institution as Co-Applicants. We ask that Co-applicant/s are involved in the development of the application and who, if funded, would have some responsibility for the management and/or delivery of certain aspects of the Foundry. Experts based at other Host Institutions should be listed as Collaborators. Collaborators provide specific expertise but are not responsible for delivery. We will not consider jointly led applications. This is because the Foundry must be based in one location and can’t be spread across multiple sites.

Skills and expertise

The Principal Applicant must have a track record of pioneering innovative approaches to generate stem cell derived beta cells. It is at the discretion of the Principal Applicant to recruit other experts to their research team as deemed necessary. These individuals do not have to have a track record in beta cell research but can bring complementary skills and expertise to the application.

Application process

This is a closed application so researchers who are interested in applying to this call need to first contact the T1DGC Research Funding team (smfgrandchallenge@diabetes.org.uk). This step will ensure that we can answer any questions about this opportunity and ensure all Applicants are prepared to pull together a detailed and competitive full application. Full applications will be opened on our system once these initial conversations have taken place.

Those interested in applying to this call need to reach out to us by the 21 June 2023.

All initial conversations will need to have taken place by 28 June 2023.

Full applications will need to be submitted by the 21 August 2023.

Interviews will take place w/c 25 September 2023.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be scientifically assessed by a subset of the Beta Cell Therapy Reviewer college, a group of international beta cell experts. The reviewers will focus on:

• The ability of the Principal Applicant to build and lead the proposed Foundry.
• The skills and expertise of the team, Co-Applicant/s and Collaborator/s, recruited to help devise the Foundry proposal and support the Principal Applicant.
• The research environment and the measures put in place to enable the Foundry to succeed, such as access to necessary facilities.
• The feasibility of the proposed milestone driven strategy to establish and sustain the Foundry. This should include how requests for cells will be triaged and collaborations established.
• The potential for impact on beta cell and islet research in the UK over the next five years.
• The sustainability plan, with an emphasis on the financial model needed to allow the Foundry to become self-sufficient over time and ensure that this is a resource that will outlast the five-year funding.

Applications will also be reviewed by experts by experience: people living with and affected by type 1 diabetes who are on the Diabetes UK Grants Advisory Panel (GAP). GAP does not comment on the scientific quality of the research but ensures that the research is relevant and important to people living with diabetes. It will be important for Applicants to convey the value of having a Foundry for the research community to access and to outline how this could lead to advancements that will benefit people living with type 1 diabetes. We encourage Applicants to also consider if there are innovative or novel opportunities presented by the Foundry to involve people living with and affected by type 1 diabetes.

Guidelines and terms and conditions

General Guidelines for Research Grant Applicants
Steve Morgan Foundation Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Grant Conditions

Financial leverage is essential to the T1DGC initiative as we can do more together. Therefore, we ask that Applicants discuss this opportunity with their Host Institution and explore how we can work in partnership such as covering indirect costs and making contributions to the direct costs of research.

The up to £5M over five years can be used to cover:

• Material and consumable costs.
• Staff salaries. For example: technicians, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers*. Our Beta Cell Scientific Advisory Panel envision that a minimum of five members of staff would initially be required, three to produce the wild-type stem cell derived beta and cells and two to produce genetically modified lines.
• Project manager/co-ordinator costs may be provided in some cases, if essential, but this must be fully justified within the application.
• Travel and accommodation costs to visit collaborating institutes.
• Foundry specific equipment and associated maintenance costs for the duration of the grant.

* Studentships are an ineligible cost for this funding call. Diabetes UK will also not pay salaries on a cost recovery basis and is, therefore, unwilling to meet the salary costs of staff currently funded by the Higher Education Funding Council, NHS or equivalent. Where Principal Applicants or Co-Applicants salaries are dependent on grant funding, we would require a letter from the Host Institute confirming this. Diabetes UK will pay for named staff with specific expertise. If unsure if the salary of a post will be covered, please contact the office to clarify. Costs for National Insurance contributions and any superannuation should be added to salary costs at the point of application. These costs will not be considered after an award has been made. Known salary increments may be included on the application form but national pay awards may not.

Enquiries

For any questions about the Grand Challenge, please contact the SMF Grand Challenge Funding Team: SMFGrandChallenge@diabetes.org.uk

Type 1 Diabetes Senior Research Fellowship

This senior research fellowship provides funding for type 1 diabetes researchers who have a track record of leading impactful research, and to become international leaders in their field and lead the race for a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Becoming a type 1 diabetes Senior Research Fellow will make you part of the programme of Steve Morgan Foundation funded research, which will bring together researchers from across the UK all motivated by accelerating progress to a cure for type 1 diabetes.

This fellowship will be administered by Diabetes UK on behalf of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge Partnership.

Scope

Applications are invited which will lead to new treatments for type 1 diabetes and help us reach a cure, specifically focused on:

• Investigation into the root causes of type 1 diabetes.
• Replacing and restoring beta cells in people with type 1 diabetes.

We also welcome applications that address both areas, for example how immunotherapies could advance replacing or restoring beta cells. Applications must be focused on improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. This may range from basic through to translational and clinical research if there is a clear line of sight to impact for people living with type 1 diabetes.

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to clinical and non-clinical researchers.

• Applicants should already be a leader in their field and be leading their own independent research group.
• Applicants should have a higher degree (PhD or equivalent) and significant research experience.
• Applicants must have a track record of holding independent research funding and have made significant contributions to their area of research.
• Applicants must clearly detail how this award will help to support early career researchers in their team, and show demonstrable experience.
• Clinical researchers should be registered healthcare professionals.
• Applicants must have the support of a host institute in the UK.

Please note:

• There are no eligibility rules based on years of postdoctoral experience.
• You are not eligible to apply if you have previously held a comparable senior fellowship.
• You cannot hold a salaried position and a fellowship at the same time.
• If you are awarded a fellowship, you will need to give up your permanent position for the duration of the fellowship or change to a proleptic appointment.
• We will consider any career breaks, flexible working and changes in field when assessing your research experience and current track record.
• Clinical fellows may undertake up to two clinical sessions per week and non-clinical fellows may undertake up to six hours per week for non-fellowship activities such as teaching and other projects for the duration of the award (pro rata for part-time fellows).

Fellowship duration and financial support

Applicants can apply for up to a total of £1.5 million over five years. Please contact SMFGrandChallenge@diabetes.org.uk if your application exceeds this amount before submitting. Funding can cover:

• Salary for the fellow.
• Salary for additional staff.
• Consumable, materials, animal and project specific equipment costs.
• Costs associated with a period overseas.
• Costs associated with travel and registration for conferences.
• Project relevant training costs.
• Patient and public involvement costs.

A contribution towards the cost of the fellowship by the host institution would be welcomed and applicants are asked to detail this in the application. This may include in-kind contributions.

All costs must be fully justified and will be considered by the review Panel. Please visit our general guidelines for grant applicants to learn what cost are covered by Diabetes UK, and any disallowed costs.

What this fellowship will give you

• Fellows will be part of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge programme of funded research and will join a community of researchers across the UK leading the race to a cure for type 1 diabetes.
• Fellows will be able to access the Academy of Medical Sciences mentorship scheme.
• Awards may be held on a part time basis to meet personal commitments (excluding professional commitments).

Deadline

This funding round is now closed.

Administrative processes

Peer Review

All applications will be sent out for external peer review. All applicants will be informed well in advance when they should expect to hear if they have been shortlisted for interview.

Diabetes UK Grants Advisory Panel (GAP) review

A sub-Panel of GAP will discuss all Fellowship applications. GAP is comprised of people living with and affected by diabetes, who use the lay summary of each grant application to establish how relevant the research is to people living with diabetes.

Panel Shortlisting and interview

Applications will be sent to a specialist review Panel, to make recommendations for shortlisting based on the peer review and GAP comments, using the criteria listed below. Due to the nature of this fellowship, international experts will be co-opted as Panel members.

Applicants will be informed via email whether they have been shortlisted for interview. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the relevant Panel, including a member of the GAP. Anonymised peer reviews will be sent to all applicants ahead of interviews, along with GAP member comments.

Interviews will take place in December 2022. Shortlisted applicants will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on background and justification for their proposal.

Assessment criteria

• Potential impact on the lives of people with type 1 diabetes
• Scientific quality, and novelty, of the proposal and its relevance to people with type 1 diabetes
• Leadership experience and track record of the applicant
• Quality of the research environment and support.

Funding decisions

Feedback letters will be sent to all lead applicants within one month of the interview.

Funded applicants will have two weeks to respond to comments raised by the review Panel.

Funded applicants should expect to receive an award letter within two months of the interview.