[Breakthrough T1D](https://www.breakthrought1d.org)

January 7, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | February 24, 2026 (Full proposal)

Up to $900,000 total over 3 years; typical project duration is 3 years.

Funds research to induce specific immune tolerance for islet cell replacement in type 1 diabetes, aiming for graft protection without broad immunosuppression.

LOI required before full proposal; both academic and industry applicants eligible.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity from Breakthrough T1D supports research on developing immune tolerance strategies for islet cell replacement therapy in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The goal is to enable graft-specific immune protection for transplanted islet cells—preferably those derived from human stem cells—without suppressing the recipient’s overall immune defenses. The program prioritizes projects closest to clinical translation and encourages innovative approaches such as co-stimulatory blockade, regulatory cell therapies, thymic organoid co-transplantation, and nanoparticle or biomaterial-based tolerance induction. Projects should focus on mechanisms that avoid the complications of broad immunosuppression, with the aim of expanding the patient population eligible for islet transplantation. --- ## Due Dates - January 7, 2026: Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline - February 24, 2026: Full proposal deadline All applicants must submit an LOI and be invited to submit a full proposal. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: **$900,000 total for up to 3 years** - Typical duration: 3 years - Indirect costs: - Nonprofit/academic (SRA): Up to 10% indirect costs included in total request - Industry (IDDP): No indirect costs permitted; matching funds required Projects with broader scope or longer timelines may be considered with strong justification and prior discussion with Breakthrough T1D. --- ## Eligibility - Open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including: - Universities, colleges, hospitals, research institutes (domestic and foreign) - Industry partners (via the Industry Discovery & Development Partnership mechanism) - Principal Investigator must hold a doctoral degree (M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent) and a faculty or equivalent research position - Breakthrough T1D encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and all qualified individuals --- ## Application Process - **Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)** - Submit a 2-page LOI via the RMS360 system using the provided template - LOI is required for invitation to submit a full proposal - **Step 2: Full Proposal** - Only invited applicants may submit a full proposal, using RMS360 templates - Proposals should be complete and self-contained - **Review Criteria** - Significance, relevance to the RFA topic, approach, translational plan, environment, and resource sharing plan - **Additional Requirements** - Human subjects research must address safety and regulatory compliance - Animal research must follow NIH and HHS guidelines --- ## Additional Information - Out of scope: Genetic modification of islet cells, co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, antigen-specific therapies for endogenous beta cell protection, tolerance induction for xenogeneic islets - Information webinar: December 16, 2025 (registration required by December 15, 2025) - Earliest anticipated project start: September 2026 --- ## External Links - [Breakthrough T1D funding opportunities](https://www.breakthrought1d.org/explore-research/funding-opportunities) - [Full RFA document (PDF)](https://www.breakthrought1d.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/RFA_ImmuneTolerance_CallDocument.pdf) - [Contact Breakthrough T1D](https://www.breakthrought1d.org/contact-us/) - [Webinar registration](https://breakthrought1dorg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N20qazx4T_KZSjiWO4Mh7w#/registration) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Name/Role | Email | |------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Strategic fit/scientific | Nicholas Mamrak, PhD | [nmamrak@BT1D.org](mailto:nmamrak@BT1D.org) | | Administrative | Madhu Prakash, Program Admin | [mprakash@BT1D.org](mailto:mprakash@BT1D.org) |

Breakthrough T1D Request for Applications: Establishing immune tolerance in islet cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D)

This grant was recently updated

Sign in to see full grant listing