Diabetes Research Connection
Research ServicesCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
Diabetes Research Connection is a nonprofit organization that funds peer-reviewed Type 1 diabetes research led by early-career scientists. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific training and established research careers by supporting early-stage projects that may be overlooked by traditional funders. Donor-designated contributions go directly to research, donors select the projects they wish to support, and all proposals are evaluated by a Scientific Review Committee of Type 1 diabetes experts; the organization is based in Del Mar, California. Since 2012, the group has funded over 50 research projects and invested more than $2 million in early-stage Type 1 diabetes research, with work ranging from beta cell regeneration to immune system modulation and early diagnosis. Several funded researchers have gone on to secure major NIH grants and faculty positions at leading institutions. In April 2024, the organization launched the BondedBeyondBlood campaign to broaden outreach.