Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Estimated application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $12 million estimated total program funding; 12 awards expected
Summary: Supports human-relevant New Approach Methodologies to uncover early Type 1 Diabetes mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; awardees will join the Human Islet Research Network and participate in collaborative research.
Description
This National Institutes of Health initiative supports research using human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to understand the earliest events that initiate and drive Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Projects will use human cells and tissues alongside innovative experimental and computational approaches, including organoids, microphysiological systems, and other advanced human-relevant models. The goal is to identify and validate early biomarkers and therapeutic targets, advancing strategies to prevent or interrupt disease progression before substantial pancreatic beta cell loss occurs.
Funded projects will become part of the Human Islet Research Network (HIRN), bringing together complementary expertise, technologies, human biological resources, and datasets. This coordinated effort aims to overcome barriers faced by individual laboratories and accelerate translation of discoveries about early human T1D into preventive or treatment strategies.
