The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced the New Investigator Gateway Awards for Collaborative Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Research under the R03 Small Grant Program. This funding opportunity, issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Office of the Director (OD), aims to encourage new investigators to pursue innovative research projects in type 1 diabetes within the framework of large collaborative research consortia. These awards are designed to embed new researchers in established networks, fostering a rich environment for mentorship, collaboration, and groundbreaking studies that address significant barriers in T1D research.

The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to develop a robust pipeline of new investigators conducting basic, translational, and clinical research on T1D. The program supports studies that address the prevention, treatment, and cure of T1D and its complications. Projects are expected to align with the objectives of NIDDK consortia, including the Human Islet Research Network (HIRN), Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, the Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study, the Diabetic Foot Consortium (DFC), and the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CaRe-T1D). Examples of eligible research include studies on beta cell preservation, biomarker discovery, environmental factors contributing to T1D, clinical trial improvements, and cardiovascular complications in T1D patients.

Funding is available for up to $100,000 in direct costs annually for a maximum of two years, with an anticipated total commitment of $4 million for each fiscal year (2026 and 2027). The NIDDK expects to fund approximately 20 awards. Applications must be prepared using the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Key submission dates include the earliest submission opening on May 26, 2025, with application due dates of June 26, 2025, and March 6, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically, and applicants are advised to allow time to address submission errors before deadlines.

Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and local, state, and tribal governments. Applicants must qualify as New Investigators or Early Stage Investigators, as defined by NIH policy. Individuals from underrepresented groups, including women and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Foreign organizations are not eligible, but foreign components of U.S. organizations are permitted. Each application must include a one-page Proposed Affiliation Letter detailing the alignment of research aims with specific NIDDK consortia.

Applications will undergo rigorous NIH peer review, evaluating factors such as the significance and innovation of the research, rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the expertise and resources of the investigators. Additional considerations include human subjects protections, inclusion of diverse populations, and resource-sharing plans. Successful applicants will be required to comply with NIH policies on data sharing and intellectual property. Pre-award costs may be allowable, and all awards are subject to the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

For inquiries, applicants can contact designated scientific, peer review, and grants management representatives listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Further details, including links to resources and the application guide, are available through the NIH website. The opportunity is supported under the American Relief Act and other federal legislation aimed at advancing diabetes research and treatment.