Our Projects

Explore our active and successfully funded projects.

Pioneering Breakthroughs in Diabetes Research

Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), are making a significant impact in the fight against diabetes. Each year, countless individuals and their families face the challenging diagnosis of diabetes. Our efforts are dedicated to supporting these communities through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions, aiming to transform the way diabetes is understood.

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100% of your donation is directed to a research project

Currently, 1.6 million Americans live with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), including 200,000 children. Approximately 64,000 new patients are diagnosed yearly. With your backing, we can drive innovation and advancements to find a cure.

Scientists from across the country submit their projects through our website.

DRC has distributed approximately $3M to research

Donor-Driven, Peer-Reviewed, Innovative Diabetes Research

Advancing understanding through DRC

Diabetes Research Connection is at the forefront of funding groundbreaking diabetes research aimed at discovering innovative treatments, therapies, and eventually a cure.

A few words from our supporters

“As a Type 1 Diabetic for nearly 30 years, I support Diabetes Research Connection’s innovative and transparent method of directly funding researchers whose novel approaches may lead to a reduction of complications and the holy grail: a cure”.

PAIGE MCCREADY, MFABoard of Directors

“At DRC we ensure that all research projects we advance for potential funding have received rigorous review by independent experts.  Your support goes to the brightest and best young scientists who are committed to finding a cure for diabetes”.

Nigel Calcutt, PH.D.Vice President and research scientist

“Entering my fourth decade of Type 1 Diabetes research, it is quite remarkable to look back and see how research seeking to identify answers to the questions of how this disease develops and how the disorder could be cured have changed. No one could have envisioned the difficulty of obtaining research funding, especially for young people. For these reasons, I believe the mission of the Diabetes Research Connection is vital! It offers hope for the future of both those with T1D and young investigators committed to making a major change possible. I fully support DRC and am committed to seeing it prosper.”

Mark Atkinson, Ph.D.Director, University of Florida Diabetes Institute

“There is a need for increased collaborative efforts to eradicate diabetes. We need to invest in young scientists with new and fresh ideas who are willing to dedicate their careers to studying diabetes. Federal funding for young investigators in basic research is getting harder to acquire, so private funding is critical to invest in novel ideas to help young scientists in their quest for the cure.”

Agata Jurczyk, Ph.D.University of Massachusetts Medical School

“The Diabetes Research Connection will advance the efforts of early-career scientists whose innovative proposals for diabetes investigations might be overlooked by government funding agencies in favor of more conventional research.”

Alberto Hayek, M.D.Professor Emeritus, UC San Diego

“We support the Diabetes Research Connection because it affords us the rare opportunity to select the research that we believe in and to better understand it by interacting with the very scientists who will DO the research.”

Amy AdamsDonor, Chair of Lay Review Committee, Diabetes Research Connection

“Several of my family members have or had diabetes. I have lived with T1D for over 50 years. I am committed to ensuring that the Diabetes Research Connection becomes one of the most significant forces funding innovative diabetes research that will rid the planet of this disease and its complications.”

David WinklerChair of the Board, Diabetes Research Connection

“The Diabetes Research Connection is a powerful breeding ground for new ideas in T1D research in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic community of donors.”

C.C. KingAssociate Research Scientist, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, UCSD

“I love the concept behind this website and organization: funding young scientists to pursue new, but fully vetted ideas in type 1 diabetes research. We need to continue to feed the developmental pipeline for research scientists and ideas in Type 1. I love the idea of choosing where (to whom) my money goes and hearing directly from them.”

Chris StiehlSupporter

“This is a fantastic new method for funding scientific endeavors and represents a paradigm shift for supporting innovative basic diabetes research. The Diabetes Research Connection will expedite the discovery process and ensure funding for the next generation of promising young researchers, leading to discoveries and ways in which to prevent and cure Type 1 Diabetes.”

Ivan GaylerDonor

“I am passionate about User Experience and developing technologies that create meaningful communities that are focused on making a difference. So I am thrilled at this groundbreaking effort to revolutionize how we fund diabetes research. Most important to me is the effort to bridge the gap between scientists and supporters to cultivate a community of connection. The Diabetes Research Connection aspires to create a community of compassion and care that will lead us to the cure. It will revolutionize the link between the champions that are supporting our fight for the cure and the researchers that are waging our war for progress.”

Jarryd WaferSenior Designer at FindTheBest.com

The Diabetes Research Connection is a tremendous new way to fund brilliant young research investigators in the early stages of their careers — when they need our support the most. These fresh, innovative minds will spearhead scientific discoveries and will ensure that we have a robust diabetes drug/device pipeline for years to come. I applaud the founders of DRC for creating this important new resource that empowers donors to fund researchers directly, and for offering transparency to the entire funding process.

Lorraine StiehlDiabetes Research Advocate, Board Member JDRF, Board Member Diabetes Hands Foundation

“DRC fills a void in our Type 1 Diabetes funding scheme – it allows for postdoctoral and early investigators to get their ideas out to the interested public and to provide much-needed funds for this next generation researcher to conduct their important studies.”

Matthias Hebrok, Ph.D.Director, Diabetes Center, UC of San Francisco

In this time of funding difficulty, the Diabetes Research Connection is a novel way to obtain funding and a great way for scientists to communicate their exciting ideas with the public. Scientists need to branch out and explore new funding mechanisms.

Maureen Gannon, Ph.D.Vanderbilt University, Associate Professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Cell and Developmental Biology

“It was a pleasure working with the Diabetes Research Connection. This was one of the fastest reviews! I thank the Diabetes Research Connection for their support, reviews, and feedback. The comments on the pre-proposal were very helpful in refining and clarifying my thoughts and experimental plan, and the input provided by the Layperson Committee on my video helped me produce something with a much stronger chance of attracting potential donors. I am delighted to have received this opportunity.”

Sangeeta Dhawan, Ph.D.University of California Los Angeles

“Thanks to the Diabetes Research Connection, I was able to undertake my investigation, ‘Can we engineer a patient’s immune cells to stop the autoimmune attack that causes Type 1 Diabetes?’ The Brusko lab is incredibly grateful for the $50,000 we received to drive this exciting research project forward.”

Todd Brusko, Ph.D.University of Florida
Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes? (Melanie Shapiro)

Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes? (Melanie Shapiro)

Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D (Dr. J. Dwyer)

Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D (Dr. J. Dwyer)

A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System (Dr. Leonardo Ferreira)

A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System (Dr. Leonardo Ferreira)

Stakeholder-Engaged Precision Health for Longevity and Healthy Aging with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Stakeholder-Engaged Precision Health for Longevity and Healthy Aging with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Dr. Han Zhu's Project

Dr. Han Zhu’s Project

Dr. Sandra Mara Ferreira's Project

Dr. Sandra Mara Ferreira’s Project

News

Thanks to our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, DRC’s Dance for Diabetes raised

$425,000+

for Type 1 Diabetes research
Having type 1 diabetes as a woman presents some unique challenges. Navigating the uncertainties surrounding healthy offspring and pregnancy, managing blood glucose levels amidst work challenges, and addressing the impact of menstrual cycles on diabetes are just a few concerns for women with diabetes. Fertility issues, stereotypes, and the juggle of multiple roles alongside constant diabetes management add to the complexity. Despite these challenges, women strive to excel in various aspects of life, embracing empowerment and entrepreneurship while living with diabetes around the clock.

Having type 1 diabetes as a woman presents some unique challenges. Navigating the uncertainties surrounding healthy offspring and pregnancy, managing blood glucose levels amidst work challenges, and addressing the impact of menstrual cycles on diabetes are just a few concerns for women with diabetes. Fertility issues, stereotypes, and the juggle of multiple roles alongside constant diabetes management add to the complexity. Despite these challenges, women strive to excel in various aspects of life, embracing empowerment and entrepreneurship while living with diabetes around the clock.

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Let's debunk some common type 1 diabetes myths! Learn more here: https://ow.ly/ERjr50QIYvv

Let`s debunk some common type 1 diabetes myths! Learn more here: https://ow.ly/ERjr50QIYvv

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🌟 Happy International Women's Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the extraordinary women who have made a profound impact on our type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. From the strong and resilient women living with T1D to the brilliant researchers at Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), and all our dedicated supporters, your strength, resilience, and contributions are truly remarkable. Your inspiration fuels our journey together, today and every day. Here's to the power of women in shaping a healthier future for all! 💙💪 

#InternationalWomensDay #InvestInWomen #IWD2024 #WomenEmpowerment #WomenInLeadership #WomenInResearch  #DiabetesResearchConnection #DRC #T1DCommunity #T1D

🌟 Happy International Women`s Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the extraordinary women who have made a profound impact on our type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. From the strong and resilient women living with T1D to the brilliant researchers at Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), and all our dedicated supporters, your strength, resilience, and contributions are truly remarkable. Your inspiration fuels our journey together, today and every day. Here`s to the power of women in shaping a healthier future for all! 💙💪

#InternationalWomensDay #InvestInWomen #IWD2024 #WomenEmpowerment #WomenInLeadership #WomenInResearch #DiabetesResearchConnection #DRC #T1DCommunity #T1D

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We see a future without type 1 diabetes, but we need your help to get there. Give here: https://ow.ly/OcgT50QHhjc

We see a future without type 1 diabetes, but we need your help to get there. Give here: https://ow.ly/OcgT50QHhjc

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Make sure to get your LOIs in by tonight! Submit here: https://ow.ly/gk4p50QHfSW

Make sure to get your LOIs in by tonight! Submit here: https://ow.ly/gk4p50QHfSW

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The deadline for RFA 2024-01 has been extended by 4 days! The new deadline is February 29th at midnight. Submit your LOI here: https://ow.ly/Zbew50QHg6R

The deadline for RFA 2024-01 has been extended by 4 days! The new deadline is February 29th at midnight. Submit your LOI here: https://ow.ly/Zbew50QHg6R

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