Breakthrough T1D (JDRF) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026: Funding for Type 1 Diabetes Researchers

Program Information

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) offers Postdoctoral and Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowships to attract and support promising scientists dedicated to solving the clinical and scientific problems associated with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

Focus Areas

The focus areas include Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research, with a notable update allowing human subject research on long-term complications.

Duration and Target Audience

• Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF): Up to 3 years
• Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship (APF): Up to 3 years
• Target Audience: Early-career scientists and those transitioning to independent faculty positions

Benefits

• Funding: Up to $95,000 USD per year for up to 3 years for APFs, with additional funds for travel, journals, and courses.
• Research Allowance: Up to $5,500 for enrichment of training experience.
• Computer Purchase: Up to $2,000 for personal computers in Year 1.
• Health Insurance: Costs covered.
• Transition Award: Optional 1-year award of up to $110,000 for APFs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Time Commitment: Must devote at least 75% of effort to the project.
• Career Stage: PDF - Most recent doctoral degree within 5 years, APF - Within 6 years.
• Sponsor Requirement: Must be sponsored by an investigator affiliated full-time with an accredited institution.
• Commitment to T1D Research: Proposed research must be directly related to T1D.
• No Simultaneous Awards: Cannot hold another postdoctoral fellowship.
• No Internship/Residency: Must not be serving an internship or residency at the time of award activation.

Required Documents

• Research Plan: Maximum 7 pages, including Specific Aims, Background/Significance, Preliminary Results, Research Designs and Methods, Training Environment, Coursework, and Literature references.
• Future Career Plans Statement: Maximum 2 pages, detailing career goals, independence, and research protection.
• Sponsor’s Training Plan Statement: Biosketch, list of previous trainees, supervision plan, facility availability, and other sources of grant support.
• Recommendation References: Three confidential references uploaded through RMS360.

Application Process

• Account Creation: Both PI and RO must have RMS360 accounts.
• Template Completion: Download and complete templates offline, convert to PDF, and upload.
• Reference Submission: Trigger requests for recommendation letters through RMS360.
• Validation and Submission: Click "Validate and Submit Proposal to RO," approved by RO, then submitted to Breakthrough T1D.

Tips to Increase Your Chances

• Strategic Alignment with Breakthrough T1D’s Priority areas and Research Strategy.
• Emphasize your career trajectory and how the award will facilitate independence.
• Collaborate extensively with your mentor.
• Clearly define your role in larger projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Exceeding the 7-page limit for the Research Plan.
• Not adhering to formatting guidelines.
• Including indirect costs in the budget.
• Relying on sponsors for recommendation references.
• Missing the RO submission step.

Application Timeline

• Submission: Directly to RMS360 (no LOI required).
• Review: Internal and/or external peer review, rebuttals, final decision.
• Notification: Written notification.

FAQs

• Can I apply if I am currently completing my medical residency?: No, at the time of award activation, you must not be serving an internship or residency.