The Role of the Innate Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions studying how the innate immune system initiates Type 1 Diabetes. Eligible applicants include research universities, medical schools, independent research institutes, and other eligible research organizations with appropriate institutional infrastructure. The program supports multidisciplinary teams with expertise in innate immunity and beta-cell biology. Research must focus on genetic and environmental causes of T1D through federally funded research.
Applicants must have active NIH institutional agreements and comply with federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200. Domestic and foreign institutions with NIH-eligible status may apply. The program is national in scope and supports investigator-initiated research leading to understanding T1D pathogenesis.
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Key dates
- Sep 24, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 13, 2027 Application deadline in 359 days
- Jul 1, 2028 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission by utilizing Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research funds to support studies focused on the involvement of the innate immune system in the initiation of Type 1 diabetes (T1D). This initiative directly aligns with the first goal of the congressionally mandated Special Diabetes Program, which is to identify the genetic and environmental causes of T1D. By engaging multidisciplinary teams with expertise in innate immunity and beta-cell biology, the program aims to elucidate how innate immune components interact with pancreatic tissues and beta cells. The program will leverage the use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to precisely define the timing and impact of environmental perturbations that activate innate immune pathways. Ultimately, these studies may enable earlier identification of individuals at elevated risk for T1D (beyond genetic susceptibility) and lay the groundwork for future prevention and therapeutic strategies. Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative (PHS 398 Research Plan)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional biosketches for key personnel
- Institutional assurances and compliance documentation
- Letters of support from team members
Program contact
- 👤 RISP-T1D
- 📧 NIAID_DAIT_T1D@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.855 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$246,626,852
-
$201,437,825
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$197,316,803
-
$180,737,624
-
$147,765,880
-
$116,817,868
-
$93,394,862
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$89,845,851
-
$85,436,674
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$84,525,882
Top States by Funding
- CA 9 awards $818.0M
- MA 6 awards $616.6M
- NY 8 awards $420.5M
- TX 3 awards $292.4M
- GA 5 awards $265.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.855). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,073,812,529 | |
| 2025 | $4,378,235,639 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,299,426,996 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research universities, medical schools, independent research institutes, and organizations with active NIH agreements. Foreign institutions with NIH eligibility status may also apply.
What is the deadline?
October 13, 2027. This is a fixed single deadline for this funding cycle.
What types of research activities are supported?
Studies examining innate immune system involvement in Type 1 Diabetes initiation. Research must use multidisciplinary approaches and may leverage new approach methodologies (NAMs).
How competitive is this funding?
This is a congressionally mandated Special Diabetes Program with $15 million total funding. Competition is typically strong for NIH research funding.
What is the award range?
Award amounts are not specified in the program announcement. Contact NIAID for typical funding levels.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Frame your research within the congressional mandate to identify genetic and environmental causes of Type 1 Diabetes. Show how your work advances this specific goal.
- Assemble a multidisciplinary team with demonstrated expertise in innate immunity and beta-cell biology. Clearly define each team member's contribution.
- If using new approach methodologies (NAMs), explain how they precisely define timing and impact of environmental perturbations on innate immune activation.
- Connect your work to translational potential. Emphasize how findings could enable earlier risk identification or inform future prevention strategies.
- Ensure your institution has active NIH agreements and regulatory compliance infrastructure in place before applying.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to clearly connect proposed research to innate immune system pathogenesis of T1D or the congressional mandate. Proposing research that focuses narrowly on genetics or beta cells without addressing innate immunity component. Assembling a team lacking demonstrated expertise in both innate immunity and pancreatic beta-cell biology.
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