[American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org)

December 4, 2025 (LOI) | February 19, 2026 (Full proposal)

Up to $115,000/year (including 10% indirect costs), max $345,000 over 3 years

Supports innovative basic research to advance understanding and improve outcomes for older adults living with diabetes, focusing on prevention, cure, or treatment.

--- ## Description This opportunity funds basic science research projects with novel and innovative hypotheses relevant to the causes or mechanisms of diabetes and its complications, with a specific emphasis on projects that improve outcomes for older adults living with diabetes. The aim is to stimulate research that advances prevention, cure, or treatment strategies, addressing the unique challenges of aging with diabetes and reducing disease burden in this population. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent (LOI) submission deadline: December 4, 2025 (by 5:00 PM Eastern Time) - Full proposal submission deadline: February 19, 2026 (by 5:00 PM Eastern Time) --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum budget: $115,000 USD per year (including up to 10% indirect costs) - Maximum total budget: $345,000 USD over three years - Project duration: Up to 3 years Funds must be used for activities described in the approved research plan and divided between salary and project support. PI salary (including fringe benefits) cannot exceed 20% of the total budget per year. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold a full-time independent faculty position or equivalent at a university, university-affiliated research institution, or other non-profit research institution in the United States. - Less than full-time appointments must be justified in the budget; such applications are considered case-by-case. - Non-university research institution applicants must provide a letter explaining equivalency to a faculty position. - No citizenship requirement, but applicants must have permission to work in the U.S. (citizen, permanent resident, or appropriate visa/permit). - Institutional confirmation of work permission is required at application submission. - Only one PI per application; co-PIs are not allowed. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit via the ADA’s SmartSimple grant management system by the LOI deadline. - LOI must address the defined RFA scope; non-aligned LOIs will not move forward. - No feedback is provided for triaged LOIs. - [LOI instructions and templates](https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/dpro/files/2025-09/IBS-LOI-Application-Instructions-Aging-2025.pdf) are available. 2. **Full Proposal:** - By invitation only, for applicants with approved LOIs. - Submit full proposal through SmartSimple by the full proposal deadline. - [Full proposal instructions and templates](https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/dpro/files/2025-09/IBS-Full-Proposal-Instructions-Aging-2025.pdf) are available. - Required materials include a detailed research plan, budget, biosketches, and resource sharing plan. 3. **Submission Platform:** - All applications and supporting materials must be submitted via [SmartSimple](https://diabetes.us-2.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp?lang=1&prole=0). - Applications submitted outside SmartSimple will not be accepted. 4. **Review Process:** - Proposals are reviewed by an external panel of diabetes research experts. - Evaluation criteria include PI qualifications, project innovation and impact, alignment with RFA goals, feasibility, and institutional environment. --- ## Additional Information - Data and resource sharing is required for all funded projects (unless a waiver is granted). - IRB/IACUC approval is required for projects involving human or animal subjects (can be provided post-award but before funding). - PI must have an ORCID iD and provide a biosketch in NIH format. - Only one application per PI per cycle is allowed. --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Application Portal](https://professional.diabetes.org/research-grants/current-funding-opportunities-aging-diabetes-rfa) - [Full RFA/Call for Applications (PDF)](https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/dpro/files/2025-09/ADA-Aging-in-Diabetes-RFA-FINAL-9.30.25.pdf) - [SmartSimple Application Portal](https://diabetes.us-2.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp?lang=1&prole=0) - [ADA Research Grants Main Page](http://professional.diabetes.org/grants) - [ORCID Registration](https://orcid.org/) - [NIH SciENcv Biosketch Tool](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ADA Research Programs | [grantquestions@diabetes.org](mailto:grantquestions@diabetes.org) | | General ADA Inquiries | 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) | | Funder Address | 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 |

Innovative Basic Science Award – Aging in Diabetes RFA (2026)

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