— Fellowship will award four of the most promising scientific minds with up to $25,000 each to start their innovative T1D research —

NEW YORK, NY (September 7, 2016) – JDRF, the leading research and advocacy organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), today announced a memorandum of understanding that initiates a co-sponsorship of the ISPAD-JDRF Research Fellowship, which will offer diabetes researchers funding for at least six months of research in a recognized ISPAD center of excellence.

The competitive fellowship, which is available to ISPAD members below age 40 who wish to pursue a career in diabetes-related research, will fund up to $25,000 USD per fellowship and will be offered to four researchers per year from 2017 through 2020. The application process will begin in March 2017.

“JDRF is excited to partner with ISPAD to support this Research Fellowship and to see the promising research that will be completed as a result,” said Aaron Kowalski, JDRF Chief Mission Officer, Vice President, Research. “We are always eager to foster the development of the best and brightest minds in type 1 diabetes research. Innovation comes from many places and partners. To ensure we find the best and fastest ways to cure, prevent and treat T1D, we need to enable and support the next generation of exceptional researchers.”

“The Research Fellowship has already had tremendous success in supporting exceptional talent and research. Partnering with JDRF will allow us to extend the fellowship to even more outstanding applicants,” says David Maahs, incoming Secretary General of ISPAD. “The innovative research that is produced by these fellows will help us realize our vision of a better world for children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes.”

Applicants must submit a scientific project which can be at least partially accomplished in the given time frame. Those granted the fellowship will be expected to submit a report of fellowship research to ISPAD within one year of fellowship completion. Selection of the fellows will be made by a steering committee consisting of ISPAD Executive Committee members and the JDRF Chief Mission Officer and/or his designee.

For more information and the application, visit https://www.ispad.org/page/ISPAD_JDRF

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested nearly $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

About ISPAD
ISPAD is a professional organization whose aims are to promote clinical and basic science, research, education and advocacy in childhood and adolescent diabetes. The strength of ISPAD lies in the scientific and clinical expertise in childhood and adolescent diabetes of its members. For more information, visit web.ispad.org or follow us on Twitter : @ispad_org

Media Contact:
Christopher Rucas
(212) 479-7667
crucas@jdrf.org