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

January 2027 (Proposal deadline)

Up to $150,000 for a one-year pilot study (includes up to 10% indirect costs)

Supports collaborative, cross-disease research to uncover common immune mechanisms and therapeutic targets in autoimmune diseases.

This is a forecasted opportunity; all details, including deadlines, are projected and may be updated.

--- ## Description The Common Mechanisms in Autoimmunity Insight Awards, offered by Breakthrough T1D in partnership with the Lupus Research Alliance and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, aim to advance understanding of the shared and unique immune pathways underlying autoimmune diseases. This initiative supports proof-of-concept, one-year pilot studies that address gaps in knowledge about autoimmune pathogenesis, facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and foster innovative approaches with broad relevance to diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The awards encourage cross-disciplinary and collaborative research to accelerate discoveries and lay the groundwork for future larger-scale efforts targeting effective cures and therapies for autoimmune diseases. --- ## Due Dates - January 2027 (Proposal deadline, anticipated/projected) - January 2027 (Full application deadline, anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum request: $150,000 (USD) for a one-year pilot project. - Budget may include up to 10% indirect costs. - Proposals must include travel costs (up to $2,500) for an in-person update meeting. - Projects must be completed within one year; multi-year projects are not eligible. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent and have a faculty position or equivalent at a research institution. - Eligible organizations: domestic and foreign non-profit organizations, public and private universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. - For-profit entities and industry-academic collaborations may apply; additional information may be requested from for-profit applicants if invited for a full application. - There are no citizenship requirements. - Projects must focus on mechanisms/pathways relevant to at least two of the following: type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (or its manifestations). --- ## Application Process - No letter of intent is required. - Full proposals must be submitted online via [RMS360](https://breakthrought1d.smartsimple.us/iface/index.jsp?lang=1) using the provided template. - Required documents include: - Proposal narrative - Biosketches for PI, Co-PIs, and faculty-level investigators - Human Subjects Research Plan (if applicable) - Proposals will be jointly reviewed by representatives from all three funding organizations and an external scientific review panel. - Review criteria: significance, approach, innovation, investigator experience, and environment. --- ## Additional Information - Projects should provide proof-of-concept data to support future, larger collaborative studies. - Priority is given to studies that: - Identify or validate human biomarkers for early autoimmune disease - Develop or validate therapeutic strategies for early-stage disease - Investigate heterogeneity across autoimmune diseases - Utilize primary human samples or existing datasets - Provide proof-of-concept for repurposing approved therapies across diseases - Clinical trials are not supported, but studies using clinical samples are eligible. - Awardees must attend an in-person meeting to present findings (budget for travel required). --- ## External Links - [Program Information and RFA PDF](https://www.breakthrought1d.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CommonMechanismsCallDocRFAFY26.pdf) - [Breakthrough T1D Grant Handbook](http://www.breakthrought1d.org/granthandbook) - [Common Mechanisms Program Website](https://decodingautoimmunity.org/) - [RMS360 Application Portal](https://breakthrought1d.smartsimple.us/iface/index.jsp?lang=1) - [Breakthrough T1D Funding Opportunities](https://www.breakthrought1d.org/explore-research/funding-opportunities/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | |---------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Joshua Vieth, Ph.D. | Senior Director, Research | [jvieth@BreakthroughT1D.org](mailto:jvieth@BreakthroughT1D.org) | | Michael Meyer | Senior Program Administrator | [mmeyer@BreakthroughT1D.org](mailto:mmeyer@BreakthroughT1D.org) |

RFA: Common Mechanisms in Autoimmunity Insight Awards

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