RFA for research to improve T1D treatment and care

RFA for research to improve T1D treatment and care

Funding opportunity for research that can improve type 1 diabetes treatment and care: Strategic Program for Advancing Research Commercialisation  

Background

The JDRF Australia Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (T1DCRN) excels in supporting outstanding research initiatives that have made significant contributions to understandings of T1D pathogenesis and in advancing translation of basic research towards clinical care. 

Despite this success, significant barriers remain in translating promising pre-clinical research into early-stage clinical development. The high risk of failure, substantial resources needed, and the necessity for thorough validation of commercialisation opportunities pose significant challenges.  

This is a key area of focus for the next Request for Applications (RFA).  

The Strategic Program for Advancing Research Commercialisation (SPARC) 2024 RFA 

Recognising the widespread gap in commercialisation experience among T1D researchers, and the limited financial and technical support dedicated by funding bodies and industry partners to preclinical T1D research, the Strategic Program for Advancing Research Commercialisation (SPARC) 2024 RFA has been released. To facilitate this, JDRF Australia is collaborating with Cicada Innovations, Australia’s leading commercialisation focused incubator for deep tech companies.

The SPARC 2024 RFA is inviting proposals from investigators affiliated with Australian institutions and for-profit entities with the aim of funding projects in high-impact areas of T1D research.

The purpose of this RFA is to:

• Identify projects that address a clearly articulated, global unmet need for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or management of T1D, with a high potential for commercialisation.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration between research teams, funding bodies, industry and the T1D community.
• Specifically support high potential projects to prepare for or enter the early clinical stage with a shared understanding among the stakeholders of a possible commercialisation pathway.

JDRF Australia and Cicada Innovations will work alongside the research teams to increase their commercial capability and introduce relevant funding, industry, clinical, community and government stakeholders.

Successful Awardees of the SPARC 2024 grants will gain access to a specialised mentoring and capability building Program that has been designed to expedite the advancement of projects ultimately leading them closer to the goal of commercialisation.

Awardees will also engage in purposeful collaboration with commercialisation experts, funding, and industry partners, to further validate their research, its commercial potential, and refine possible pathways to positively impact people living with T1D.

The funding opportunity

The SPARC 2024 Awards will provide funding for up to $150,000 in total for a period of up to 12 months. It is expected that a maximum of five (5) Grants will be awarded. The level of funding for individual projects will vary depending on the scope and overall objectives of the project. For successful projects with budgets exceeding $150,000, there is an expectation to make up for the additional funds from other sources.

Eligibility 

For eligibility and other details, download the RFA. 

DOWNLOAD THE RFA

 

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted online using the online grants management system RMS360. For instructions on how to use the RMS360, please click here. 

APPLY HERE

 

Downloads

Request for Applications

Key dates

• Applications open: 31 January 2024 
• LOI Deadline: 27 March 2024 
• Full Proposal deadline: 23 May 2024 
• Award notification: July 2024 
• Earliest Start: July 2024 

More information

JDRF Australia and Cicada Innovations hosted a webinar on Friday 9th February to answer questions about this RFA. You can find the recording here. 

Contact personnel

For enquiries on strategic fit and resource access, please contact: 

Auvro Mridha, PhD
Scientific Program Manager, JDRF Australia
0412 758 022 / amridha@jdrf.org.au   

Dorota Pawlak, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer, JDRF Australia 
(02) 8364 0206 / dpawlak@jdrf.org.au  

Katja Beitat, PhD
Head of Healthtech, Cicada Innovations
0403 710 192 | katja@cicadainnovations.com