Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge invests £13 million into six transformational new projects
December 7, 2023
We’re thrilled to unveil the latest groundbreaking research projects funded by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. Earlier this year, we called on scientists to submit research proposals to get us closer to having new treatments for people with type 1 diabetes that tackle the root cause of their condition and restore their insulin-making beta cells.
Now, over £13 million of funding will support six outstanding research teams – made up of 49 scientists, working at 22 different institutions in the UK and Europe – to fast-track discoveries that could see us make huge strides in how we treat type 1 diabetes.
Helping people make their own insulin
To cure type 1 diabetes, we need to find a way to give people with type 1 diabetes new beta cells that work to precisely control their blood sugar levels. Four of our new projects will innovate new ways of reaching this goal.
Beta cells: replace, protect, regenerate
Professor David Hodson, at University of Oxford, Dr Ildem Akerman, at University of Birmingham, and Dr Johannes Broichhagen, at Leibniz FMP, will lead a team to explore how insulin-boosting molecules that sit on the surface of beta cells could be harnessed to create beta cells in the lab that work better and survive for longer.
They’ll also investigate if the molecules can be used to deliver treatments that help to protect transplanted beta cells from the immune system or trigger new beta cells to grow inside the body, by encouraging other cells in the pancreas to transform into beta cells.
Professor Shanta Persaud and Dr Aileen King, at King’s College London, and team will work to create an unlimited supply of elite beta cells ready for transplant. They’ll draw on their expert knowledge in how the human pancreas works and develops, and apply this to making beta cells from stem cells in the lab. As they grow their beta cells, they’ll bolster them with specialised support cells and helpful nutrients that will encourage them to fully develop so they can respond to changing blood sugar levels just as well as real beta cells do.
Creating a better home for transplanted beta cells
Professor Francesca Spagnoli and Dr Rocio Sancho at King’s College London, together with Professor Molly Stevens at University of Oxford, will focus on ways to keep lab-made beta cells safe from harm. They’ll use cutting-edge technology to boost beta cells’ chances of survival once transplanted by coating them with protective gels and using nanoparticle technology to create a synthetic microenvironment to protect them from stress and immune attack.
The team will also develop a transplantation device that beta cells can live inside, to protect them from the hostile environment they’ll face once transplanted inside the body.
Professor Shareen Forbes, at University of Edinburgh, and Dr Lisa White, at University of Nottingham, will spearhead a team to search for ways to boost the benefits of donor beta cells transplants (called islet transplants). They’ll investigate if delivering drugs packaged inside microcapsules alongside islet transplants helps the donated beta cells produce more insulin and survive for longer. This would make islets transplants more effective and mean many more people with type 1 diabetes could benefit.
Finally, the team will investigate if this approach could be applied to beta cells made from stem cells.
In people living with type 1 diabetes, the immune system remains primed to seek out and destroy beta cells. To ensure the survival of any new beta cells transplanted into people with type 1, protection from the immune system is critical. Two projects from our latest multi-million-pound investment are focused on promising new immunotherapy treatments, which fend off the immune attack in type 1 diabetes.
Immunotherapy: is timing everything?
Dr James Pearson, at Cardiff University, and his team will investigate if the time of day when we give an immunotherapy can affect how well it works. They’ll study a type of immunotherapy drug named interleukin-2 (IL-2). It works by expanding the population of helpful immune cells, called regulatory T cells (Tregs), which try to prevent killer immune cells from launching their attack. Dr Pearson has found evidence that Tregs respond differently to IL-2 depending on the time of day and will now explore this further.
The findings could help to improve the effectiveness of a promising immunotherapy for people with and at risk of type 1 diabetes by identifying the best time of day to give the treatment.
Dr Danijela Tatovic, at Cardiff University, will head a team to explore if combining two immunotherapies that target different parts of the immune system could make them more effective at protecting beta cells.
They’ll run a clinical trial testing the immunotherapies abatacept and IL-2 with people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, who still have some surviving beta cells. Their findings will tell us how best to combine the drugs and will lay the groundwork for a bigger trial, which could build the evidence needed to make this combination treatment available for people with or at risk of type 1 diabetes.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said:
“We’re in a hugely exciting period for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, as today we welcome six exceptional scientists who will lead exciting multi-disciplinary teams to drive forward this pioneering initiative and build momentum towards our ambitious goal.
“This announcement brings with it fresh hope of a cure for everyone living with type 1 diabetes, and we look forward to seeing how these projects will break new ground in our search for life-changing beta cell therapies and treatments to overcome the type 1 immune system attack.”
Rachel Connor, Director of Research Partnerships at JDRF UK, said:
“Today’s announcement of six newly funded research projects demonstrates the speed and ambition of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. All six projects hold great promise for people with type 1 diabetes. We can’t wait to see the results of this vital research to transform beta cell therapy and tackle the immune reaction that is at the root of driving type 1.”
Steve and Sally Morgan, Founders of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said:
“This is an exciting moment in our partnership with Diabetes UK and JDRF UK. We are astounded by the innovation and vision of the new projects and look forward to seeing how the research helps us realise our ambition of transforming the lives of people with type 1 diabetes.”
Our latest awards take the total amount of funding the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge has awarded in 2023 to over £18 million, following the Steve Morgan Foundation’s momentous £50 million pledge. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of this extraordinary research as our growing squad of scientists help us step closer to a cure.
We need new and improved treatments to replace or grow back beta cells that have been destroyed, so people with type 1 diabetes can make enough of their own insulin again.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
We brought researchers together to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and innovative ideas with the potential to disrupt the roadblocks holding back progress in beta cell therapy research.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
We brought researchers together to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and innovative ideas with the potential to disrupt the roadblocks holding back progress in beta cell therapy research.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
News
£1 million available to ignite beta cell therapy innovations
Last month, we held a symposium on novel insulins, where experts from around the world met virtually to discuss their ideas for how to develop the next generation of insulins. Their fascinating discussion will be published in a scientific review paper later this year. In the meantime, here is a preview of five of the most exciting ideas that were discussed at the symposium.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
A cone snail attacking a fish
Because insulin is such a big molecule, it can take a while to act. Scientists have been trying to make insulin smaller without losing any of its function, but they haven’t been successful yet. Now, researchers including Professor Daniel Chou from Stanford University are trying to mimic the chemical structure of cone snail insulin venom and tweak it slightly to improve its effectiveness in people.
If these researchers manage to create this smaller version of insulin, our skin should be able to absorb it much faster than current insulins. Ultra-fast insulins like this would reduce the time you need to wait between injecting and eating and also offer hope for fully closed loop systems, which don’t require a person to give warning of meals and exercise.
2. Oral insulin pill inspired by tortoises
The problem with taking insulin orally in a pill also partially comes down to its size. If you were to swallow a pill of insulin, it would first break down in your stomach, meaning it couldn’t work properly, and even then, it would still be too big to pass through your intestines. But world-renowned scientist Professor Robert Langer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an ingenious pill that protects insulin and then fires it into the stomach lining.
A diagram of Professor Langer’s insulin pill design
The clever design features a tiny spring which propels an arrow of insulin directly into the stomach lining. This happens about an hour after you swallow the device, which is packed inside a biodegradable case, to allow time for it to reach the stomach. But how do you make sure the insulin is always fired into the stomach wall? That’s where the tortoises come in.
A species called the leopard tortoise is self-orienting, which means that it always stays upright. No matter how the tortoise falls or rolls, it will always end up on its feet. This clever trick is due to how its weight is distributed. Inspired by these tortoises, Professor Langer distributed the weight in his insulin pill in the same way so that it always lands with the insulin pointed down.
His pill is called SOMA (self-oriented medical applicator) and Novo Nordisk has so far tested it in 65 people with type 1 diabetes and found no bad side effects.
A leopard tortoise
3. A weekly insulin could be coming
People with type 1 currently take a type of slow-acting insulin, known as basal insulin, once or twice a day to control blood sugar outside of eating. Researchers are developing a new generation of insulins that can work for even longer, reducing the number of injections you need. It may seem counterintuitive, but by editing insulin to make it less effective at clearing glucose, researchers can make it work for longer. This reduced function means it can stay in the body without causing hypoglycaemia.
Novo Nordisk have used this principle to create an insulin called insulin isodec, which has had very promising results in clinical trials. The company has now applied to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for regulatory approval, meaning weekly basal insulin injections could soon become a reality for people with diabetes.
4. Ways to make insulin respond to glucose
Scientists specialising in different disciplines from chemistry to bioengineering have inventive ideas about how to create glucose-responsive insulins, also known as smart insulins. An interesting idea is to create a mixture of insulin and a chemical that can sense glucose, with a large molecule to keep them together.
A team led by Professor Matthew Webber at the University of Notre Dame has developed such a mixture. The insulin mixture is an insoluble blob at a neutral pH, which means not acidic or alkaline. Then, when glucose levels rise, the pH becomes more acidic and the mixture dissolves, releasing the insulin so that it can bind to glucose. Their tests on animals have shown that a single dose of their smart insulin mixture can keep glucose levels stable for up to five days in mice and up to a week in pigs.
The glucose-responsive insulin mixture in its soluble state and its insoluble state
5. Computer models to streamline research
Treatments must be tested in animals before they can enter clinical trials with people. But lots of drugs that are effective in animals turn out not to work in humans. Professor Michael Strano and his team at MIT have developed a sophisticated computer model of the glucose control system in animals and humans, which can predict how the body will respond to different treatments. The team created the simulation using a combination of maths, biochemistry and extensive data collection from people with type 1.
Researchers can plug their drug designs into the computer model to predict whether it will work or not and edit their designs accordingly. This tool is especially useful for glucose-responsive ‘smart’ insulins because scientists all over the world are experimenting with a range of different approaches to develop them. The simulator will streamline the research process by allowing researchers to only invest time and energy in their ideas that have the best chance of success. It will save crucial time, money and effort in the research and development stage and ensure only the insulins (and other therapies for type 1) with the most potential progress to clinical trials.
Bonus: glucose-responsive glucagon
We can apply all of these ideas for creating glucose-responsive insulin to the hormone glucagon, which has the opposite effect to insulin. Glucagon stimulates glucose production and release from where it is stored in the liver, which is why it is a treatment for severe hypoglycaemia.
A glucagon emergency rescue kit to treat severe hypos
Dr Alborz Madavi, a researcher who founded the company Protomer, believes that a long-acting dose of glucose-responsive glucagon, which could be taken just once a week, would protect against hypoglycaemia. The smart glucagon would turn on at low glucose levels to prevent hypos and work alongside the user’s normal insulin treatment. Dr Mahdavi believes this would help people with type 1 feel less worried about overnight hypos and allow more flexibility with taking insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge offers hope for novel insulins
The £15 million set aside by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge to tackle the challenge of novel insulins will expand upon this exciting research to bring these innovative ideas closer to reality. From hormones that can respond to varying glucose levels, to fast- and long-acting insulin, to easier ways to take insulin without injections, novel insulins are coming, and the Grand Challenge will get us there faster.
While we push towards a cure, we need next generation insulins such as those that can respond to changing blood sugar levels and eliminate highs and lows. Find our more about our Novel Insulin Grand Challenge.
By harnessing the power of collaboration, targeting research areas with the greatest potential, and stimulating bold, innovative research at scale, we’re creating change that will improve the lives of millions of people with type 1 diabetes.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
______Content of this video______
00:00:00 Introduction to the Novel Insulins Symposium – Professor Simon Heller 00:06:04 Discovery and design of novel insulins – Dr Peter Kurtzhals 00:38:41 Glucose-responsive smart insulin and delivery patch – Professor Zhen Gu 01:09:05 Molecular Engineering of Insulin: Progresses and Challenges – Professor Daniel Chou 01:35:33 Molecular engineering of glucose-responsive insulin – Professor Matthew Webber 02:07:00 Towards oral insulin and an artificial pancreas – Professor Robert Langer 02:26:03 Ultra-stable insulin analogs and their clinical applications – Professor Michael Weiss 02:55:22 Glucose-sensing insulins – Dr Alborz Mahdavi 03:31:42 Diabetes therapeutics from computational design – Professor Michael Strano 03:59:00 Discussion Panel – All speakers 04:36:42 Concluding remarks and next steps – Ms Rachel Connor
News
£1 million available to ignite beta cell therapy innovations
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
News
£1 million available to ignite beta cell therapy innovations
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
We brought researchers together to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and innovative ideas with the potential to disrupt the roadblocks holding back progress in beta cell therapy research.
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
News
£1 million available to ignite beta cell therapy innovations
Today sees the opening of a new Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding call focused on supporting innovations into beta cell therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.
Following our networking workshop last week, designed to spark cross disciplinary collaborations and fresh thinking into beta cell therapy research, we’re offering individual awards of up to £400,000. We want to support visionary research that will transform the field, by embracing high-risk, high-reward proposals. New and creative ideas that will address an unmet need in beta cell therapy research are strongly encouraged.
We also know that drawing on expertise from beyond type 1 diabetes could unlock innovations to overcome current obstacles. That’s why we’re encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and are calling on researchers from any discipline, including immunology, stem cell science, medicinal chemistry or bioengineering, to get involved.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have worked with the Grand Challenge Scientific Advisory Panels, comprising some of the world’s most eminent type 1 diabetes scientists, to shape this new call.
Researchers will be asked to submit a brief research plan, including a short video pitch, by February 19th 2024. The very best applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Diabetes UK and JDRF are passionate about working closely with people affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage all applicants to do the same when building their applications.
If you’re a researcher and want to learn more about the Beta Cell Therapy Innovation Project Grant call, including top tips for applying, sign up to our webinar on December 14th.
Professor Qizhi Tang, a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel on beta cell therapies, said:
“Recent advances in stem cell technology and cell engineering have provided an unprecedented opportunity to restore beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a momentous call to action to work together to advance this therapy.”
