2026 ADI Collaboration Grant Competition

OVERVIEW

Through generous funding provided by the Alberta Diabetes Foundation (ADF), the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) is delighted to announce the 2026 Collaboration Grant Competition. This competition will be for a single award of $80,000 (over 24 months) and aims to bring ADI researchers together in meaningful collaborations to accelerate translation of ongoing diabetes research towards clinical impact. The application process requires the submission of a project summary with details given below. Applicants of top-ranked projects will be invited to an in-person review panel who will have the opportunity to ask questions and make their final selection of award recipients.

Competition at a Glance

PURPOSE

Teams with different skills working together are more likely to resolve complex problems like diabetes. Effective and meaningful collaborations are not always easy to establish or maintain. This competition seeks to address this challenge by helping bring researchers together, to plug gaps and support gifted trainees to advance diabetes research. The goal of accelerating research could be achieved in many ways – e.g. taking initial steps in clinical translation of preclinical work, augmenting preliminary data to support a larger funding application. Examples might be through access to skills and techniques, or sharing of staff & trainees. Applications which clearly articulate how collaborations will be built and how they will enhance reaching your research objectives will be given preference.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications are sought from pairs or small groups of ADI investigators. External collaborators may be included in the application, but at least two of the applicants (including the principal applicant) must be ADI members.

BUDGET

• Maximum request is for $80,000. All funding is to be utilized in a 24- month period
• All justifiable costs may be considered, but assurance of other, sufficient operating funds is required if salaries comprise > 50%

PROPOSAL FORMAT

Submit a PDF document (3-page limit, 12 pt Calibri font) with the following information:

• NAME of principal applicant and co-applicants
• TITLE of Project
• DESCRIPTION of the proposal and how it builds off prior research: objectives/hypotheses and methodology (explanatory figures, references and preliminary data may be included within the 3-page limit). Describe how this funding addresses a gap in the ongoing research that would otherwise not be filled. Describe how each member of the collaboration will contribute towards achieving research objectives and translation
• NEXT STEPS: Describe the next steps following the outcomes of this project
• BUDGET outline (high level)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Proposal submission deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026 by 11:59 pm MT

REPORTING

Recipients may be asked to submit an interim progress report after 12 months and must submit a full report within 3 months after the end of the 24-month award period. Support from the Alberta Diabetes Foundation and the Alberta Diabetes Institute should be acknowledged in related publications and presentations.