To connect donors with early-career scientists enabling them to perform peer-reviewed, novel research designed to prevent and cure Type 1 Diabetes, minimize its complications and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.
Diabetes Research Connection channels donor-funded research grants to early-career scientists working on type 1 diabetes, with projects reviewed by a Scientific Review Committee before full applications are invited. Its model is direct: 100% of donations directed to a project go to the scientist’s laboratory. Recent awards show a strong emphasis on university-based biomedical research, including $75,000 to the University of Chicago and $75,000 to the University of Florida for research grants. The foundation also supports projects at institutions such as University of Washington, Indiana University, Boston College, City of Hope, and University of Colorado Denver, indicating a broad academic network rather than a single-lab approach. The grant descriptions point to novel and preclinical work, especially around beta cell biology, autoimmunity, diagnostics and monitoring, and translational research. Alongside project funding, the organization lists conference and workshop support related to diabetes research and advocacy, which suggests an interest in both discovery science and the professional community around it. Its public materials consistently frame grants as restricted-purpose research support for investigators and laboratories rather than general operating funding.
A central theme in Diabetes Research Connection’s funding is beta cell biology and regeneration. That appears in the organization’s stated focus areas and in project descriptions that include beta cell replacement and protection. Another major thread is immune modulation: the foundation backs work on autoimmunity, immune modulation, and CAR Treg therapies, reflecting a research agenda aimed at the disease mechanism itself. It also supports diagnostics and monitoring technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring and sensor development, which connects basic research to tools used in care. A fourth area is translational and preclinical research, with grant language emphasizing innovative projects and novel therapeutic approaches. The recent grant list includes awards to institutions such as The Jackson Laboratory BHME and J Craig Venter Institute, both aligned with laboratory-based research work in this field.
Typical awards cluster around a mid-five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $40,000. The recent grants table shows repeated support to the same institutions across multiple years, including the University of Florida, University of Chicago, City of Hope, Vanderbilt University, University of Utah, and University of California San Diego, which points to recurring project-based funding rather than one-off gifts only. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF vehicle, and it funds research projects rather than individuals directly. Its active grant programs accept unsolicited project submissions, with LOIs reviewed before invitations to full applications in the DRC Research Grants program.
$1.3M
$2.6M
$1.2M
$931K
Most grants fall between $10K and $40K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$40K
About 19% of grants go to recipients in MO.
DAVID WINKLER
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Grantmaking is national, and every recent grant in the sample went to a U.S. recipient. California receives 19% of grants, with recipients in Irvine, La Jolla, San Francisco, and San Diego. Other recurring recipient cities include Chicago, Gainesville, Seattle, Bloomington, and Boston. The top state by grant count is Missouri, showing that the strongest giving concentration is not the same as the foundation’s headquarters in Del Mar, California.
It funds Type 1 diabetes research, with stated priorities that include beta cell biology and regeneration, immune modulation, continuous glucose monitoring and sensor development, and translational or preclinical research. The active programs also emphasize biomarkers, diagnostics, autoimmunity, and novel therapeutic approaches.
Yes. The DRC Research Grants program and related research project grant programs accept unsolicited submissions. The process described includes scientific review, and approved letters of intent are invited to submit full applications.
The grant-size distribution centers on mid-five-figure awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $40,000. Active research programs also describe grant ranges up to $75,000.
The foundation funds individual researchers, academic institutions, and research organizations or labs, with a clear emphasis on early-career scientists and investigator-led projects focused on Type 1 diabetes.
The recent grants show repeated awards to the same institutions across multiple years, including the University of Florida, University of Chicago, City of Hope, Vanderbilt University, University of Utah, and University of California San Diego. That pattern suggests ongoing project-based funding relationships.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $70,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $65,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $55,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| CITY OF HOPE | IRVINE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF AL BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CA SF | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH C | CHARLESTON, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| J CRAIG VENTER INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH GRANTS |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $60,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| J Craig Venter Institute | LA JOLLA, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| CITY OF HOPE | IRVINE, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of CA San Diego | La Jolla, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $25,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $15,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of CA SF | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| SIBCR SEA Inst for Bio & CR | Seattle, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| The Jackson Laboratory BHME | Bar Harbor, ME | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTI | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of Miami | Atlanta, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of NC Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | Research Grants |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $75,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $75,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| The Jackson Laboratory BHME | Bar Harbor, ME | $40,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of NC Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $40,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $40,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of CA SF | San Francisco, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of CA San Diego | La Jolla, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| SIBCR SEA Inst for Bio & CR | Seattle, WA | $31,566 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| Medical University of SC | Charleston, SC | $25,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| IN Biosciences Research Inst | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| The Res Inst at Nationwide Ch | Columbus, OH | $15,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of Miami | Atlanta, GA | $15,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| WA University in SL MO | St Louis, MO | $10,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| The Johns Hopkins U BAL MD | Baltimore, MD | $10,000 | 2023 | Research Grants |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | $8,434 | 2023 | Research Grants |
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$70,000RESEARCH GRANTS
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$65,000RESEARCH GRANTS
BOSTON COLLEGE
$55,000RESEARCH GRANTS
CITY OF HOPE
$50,000RESEARCH GRANTS
UNIVERSITY OF AL BIRMINGHAM
$40,000RESEARCH GRANTS
UNIVERSITY OF CA SF
$40,000RESEARCH GRANTS
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH GRANTS
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH C
$25,000RESEARCH GRANTS
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$25,000RESEARCH GRANTS
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$25,000RESEARCH GRANTS
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$10,000RESEARCH GRANTS
J CRAIG VENTER INSTITUTE
$10,000RESEARCH GRANTS
University of Florida
$60,000Research Grants
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
$50,000Research Grants
J Craig Venter Institute
$40,000Research Grants
CITY OF HOPE
$40,000Research Grants
University of Chicago
$40,000Research Grants
University of CA San Diego
$30,000Research Grants
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$25,000Research Grants
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$25,000Research Grants
BOSTON COLLEGE
$25,000Research Grants
DUKE UNIVERSITY
$15,000Research Grants
University of CA SF
$10,000Research Grants
SIBCR SEA Inst for Bio & CR
$10,000Research Grants
The Jackson Laboratory BHME
$10,000Research Grants
Vanderbilt University
$10,000Research Grants
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTI
$10,000Research Grants
University of Miami
$10,000Research Grants
University of NC Chapel Hill
$10,000Research Grants
University of Florida
$75,000Research Grants
University of Chicago
$75,000Research Grants
The Jackson Laboratory BHME
$40,000Research Grants
University of NC Chapel Hill
$40,000Research Grants
Vanderbilt University
$40,000Research Grants
University of CA SF
$35,000Research Grants
University of CA San Diego
$35,000Research Grants
SIBCR SEA Inst for Bio & CR
$31,566Research Grants
Medical University of SC
$25,000Research Grants
IN Biosciences Research Inst
$20,000Research Grants
The Res Inst at Nationwide Ch
$15,000Research Grants
University of Miami
$15,000Research Grants
WA University in SL MO
$10,000Research Grants
The Johns Hopkins U BAL MD
$10,000Research Grants
University of Washington
$8,434Research Grants
Current and upcoming funding from Diabetes Research Connection that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Projects are reviewed through DRC's scientific review process and appear to be limited to research projects from academic institutions and researchers working in diabetes-related science.
Deadline: No deadline stated on the scraped pages; projects appear to be accepted on an ongoing basis subject to review.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
