$50.1 million investment made in type 1 diabetes research
The $50.1 million commitment
Today is a monumental day for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, with a $50.1m investment announced for JDRF Australia’s Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (T1DCRN).
The commitment was made by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Mark Butler MP, at our Kids in the House event today, with over 100 kids who live with T1D joining politicians at Parliament House.
Minister for Health addressed JDRF and our amazing advocates, saying, “We are proud to announce our Government’s $50.1m investment in JDRF’s Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network. We have long been supporters of the type 1 diabetes community, and we know how important a cure is to Australians with this condition, and how urgently new innovations and treatments are needed. That’s what this funding will help deliver,” said Minister Butler.
“I have met with Shanna, Ethan, Theo, and many JDRF advocates over the years and today, and heard their stories. They have told me that research is the most important thing for type 1 diabetes, and the Government has listened.”
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator The Hon Anne Ruston, confirmed the Coalition’s support for the funding with a matched commitment.
“The Coalition has been a long-term supporter of the Clinical Research Network and we are proud to see that continue with this election commitment. I thank JDRF’s advocates, including Alyssa, Zeph, and Carrie/Emily, for sharing their experiences with us and helping to inform policy. If elected, we will ensure the Network can continue building on its success as a globally leading research network for type 1 diabetes and make strides forward for Australians living with this condition,” said Senator Ruston.
The T1DCRN
JDRF’s T1DCRN is a highly successful and impactful research network that has driven countless research breakthroughs since it began more than a decade ago. Thanks to ongoing bipartisan support, it has become a key driver of T1D research in Australia, and it’s a vital part of the process as we move towards our vision of a world without T1D.
The T1DCRN’s achievements at a glance:
- $65m invested in Australian research
- 83 projects funded
- 450 researchers supported
- 10,000 people participating in clinical trials or studies
- 2x the number of clinical trials and studies
- 22 host institutions across Australia
How we got here: Research Holds The Key
The previously committed funding for the T1DCRN was about to run out, as it had all been invested in research. We needed more funding to make sure the projects already underway could keep going and reach their goals, so we can keep funding new projects and uncover exciting new breakthroughs.
As a result, we launched our Research Holds The Key campaign, asking the Government for a further $50m.
This campaign was led by amazing advocates all around the country, who met with their local members of parliament to talk about life with T1D and how important research is.
JDRF Australia CEO, Sydney Yovic, said, “We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to Minister Butler and the Albanese Government for this funding. This is a fantastic step forward for the type 1 diabetes community and will ensure we can continue to invest in the best and brightest researchers on the brink of so many amazing breakthroughs.
“This announcement also has full bipartisan support and was welcomed by the Coalition, including a matched commitment. We also extend our thanks to them for their long-term support of the Clinical Research Network and the type 1 diabetes community.
“Finally, thank you to our dedicated advocates who have been tirelessly meeting with decision makers across the country to talk about the importance of type 1 diabetes research. This outcome is yours to celebrate, to the benefit of every Australian living with the condition.”
What’s next for the funding?
Research is the only solution for a different future and is needed to unlock new understandings of how T1D develops and how it can be prevented, treated and cured.
The $50m will support research into three key areas needed to transform T1D, including:
- prevention, so that one day nobody receives a T1D diagnosis
- precision medicine, so we can provide the right treatment to the right person at the right time, and
- progress towards cures, so we can reverse T1D in those already diagnosed.
What it means to the community
JDRF advocate Giselle, who has been a key voice in JDRF’s Research Holds The Key campaign, said, “Thank you so much to Anthony Albanese and Mark Butler for listening to our stories and supporting us. Knowing that more type 1 diabetes research can happen gives me so much hope for a better future and a life without type 1 diabetes.”
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