We offer a wide range of funding opportunities and you can read more about each funding scheme in this section.
How to apply for a grant
- Read our general guidelines for grant applicants and tips on writing a research grant application.
- Read our grant conditions and intellectual property and revenue-sharing agreement. All applicants and the involved institutions should agree to accept and adhere to the grant conditions and intellectual property and revenue-sharing agreement before making your application.
- Log on to the Diabetes UK online research grants management system.
- Complete all sections of the online application form, using the grants management system user guide.
You must allow enough time to complete the approval process through the online grants management portal - all signatories must have approved your application before the specified funding round deadline.
If you have any questions about the online research grants management system please contact Diabetes UK at research@diabetes.org.uk.
Research privacy notice
As part of the grant application process, we will ask you to provide us with personal details about yourself, other people applying for the grant and you collaborators. Please read our research privacy notice carefully before registering to the Diabetes UK online research grants management system. If you have any questions about the notice, please contact Diabetes UK at research@diabetes.org.uk.
Strategic research calls
Details of any open strategic calls for research in a specific area of diabetes can be found here.
Diabetes UK invites applications for high quality and innovative research proposals focused on improving the understanding of the epidemiology and mechanisms of eating disorders, or how to manage them effectively, in people with diabetes. This call builds on the priority area identified by the diabetes Clinical Studies Groups.
In the past, we have had targeted research calls in the following areas:
- Improving the day to day management of diabetes;
- Novel interventions for complications of diabetes;
- Overcoming barriers to good diabetes care and/or supported self-management;
- Very low calorie diets;
- Immunotherapeutic approaches for the prevention or treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
Grant types
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Project grants
To provide support for diabetes research projects for up to five years. -
Early-Career Small grants
To enable early-career researchers to undertake small research projects or pilot studies. -
Harry Keen Intermediate Clinical Fellowship
To allow outstanding medically qualified professionals, and other clinically qualified professionals to establish themselves as independent researchers, with a view to a long-term career as a clinical research leader in the field of diabetes. This includes nurses, pharmacists and members of the Allied Health Professions, who have gained a PhD or equivalent (e.g. MD (Res)). -
Sir George Alberti Research Training Fellowship
To enable graduates currently working in the NHS to study for a PhD or MD in diabetes research and develop a career in research. Applications are invited from individuals working in a patient-facing role including, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, psychologists and dietitians. -
NIHR/Diabetes UK Doctoral Fellowship
To fund a Doctoral Fellowship which supports individuals to undertake a PhD in an area of diabetes related research. -
RD Lawrence Fellowship
To provide personal support enabling postdoctoral researchers to establish their independence in diabetes research. -
PhD Studentship
To enable experienced researchers to recruit outstanding science graduates to study for a PhD in the field of diabetes-related research.
Co-funding opportunities
Our goal is to increase diabetes research capacity, expertise and deliver clear patient benefits. We will therefore consider co-funding applications with other funders where there is a clear link to diabetes.
If you would like to apply for co-funding, please contact research@diabetes.or.uk in advance of submitting your application and consider the following:
- It is important to approach us as early as possible, so that we can consider the request, approach the other funder(s), and review our processes.
- If a co-funded application is agreed, we or the other funder(s) will manage the application review process. This will be discussed by all funders and a suitable approach will be agreed.
Kidney Research UK
We are open to co-funding research with Kidney Research UK, into the relationship between kidney disease and diabetes and the development of new treatments. Read our joint research statement for more information.
British Heart Foundation
Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) recognise the importance of understanding, treating and preventing cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes, and are prepared to consider joint funding. This funding would be for substantial research projects with a clear link to both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In particular, Diabetes UK and the BHF are prepared to consider co-funding applications for the following grant types:
- Programme-level grants or clinical trials (large project grants from Diabetes UK and programme grants or clinical study grants from the BHF)
- Diabetes UK Harry Keen Intermediate Clinical Fellowship or BHF Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship
- Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowship or BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship.
If you have an interest in applying for one of the above, please contact the research team of the appropriate funder who you are considering applying to before submitting your application.
Joint funding will not be considered for lower value awards such as smaller project grants or studentships. These should be applied for under normal processes for each funder.
Other opportunities
IDia – Innovators in Diabetes Training Programme
The aim of the programme is to create a vibrant diabetes research network of basic and clinical researchers. The programme involves the attendance of a residential weekend once a year over a three-year period.