Initiator Award (INI)
The ADA Initiator Award funds postdocs transitioning to independent faculty roles for innovative, translational diabetes research bridging basic science and real-world impact.
Funder: American Diabetes Association
Due Dates: May 19, 2026 (Full proposal submission deadline for Initiator Award)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,625,000 total over 7 years (2 phases: up to $100,000/year for 2 years, then up to $325,000/year for 5 years; includes indirect costs)
Summary: Supports postdoctoral scientists transitioning to independent diabetes research faculty through mentorship and multi-year research funding.
Key Information: Institutional nomination is required; applicants cannot hold an NIH K99/R00 grant concurrently.
Description
The Initiator Award is a two-phased funding program from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) designed to support promising postdoctoral researchers as they transition from mentored training positions to independent research faculty roles in diabetes research. The award spans up to seven years, combining an initial mentored phase with a subsequent independent research phase. The program emphasizes innovation, scientific collaboration, and research leadership, with a focus on translational research that bridges basic discoveries and real-world impact for people at risk of or living with diabetes.
