Why did ADEA establish the Foundation?

In 2015, ADEA identified a gap in the current diabetes research landscape. Many grants focussed on finding a cure for diabetes yet little was available in Australia to support practical research into new ways to manage diabetes.

Understanding that our diabetes educators are constantly on the lookout for additional tools to support people with diabetes to live well; ADEA established the ADEA Diabetes Research Foundation (ADRF). The Foundation supports practical research into new ways to manage diabetes, finding answers to commonly asked questions or concerns and using that knowledge to support people to live well with diabetes.

What is the actual set up of the Foundation?

ADRF operates as a trust with an independent trustee governing its strategic direction. The Foundation owns two separate bank accounts; one for its daily operation and one holds its philanthropic fund. This ensures the accountability and transparency of the Foundation in its use of fund and financial performance.

The Foundation Board also established the ADRF Council comprising of prominent academics and researchers who oversee the application process, endorse and recommend fundable applications to the Board. This ensures the transparency and credibility of the funding process and decision.

100% of corporate donations go directly to the grant program for allocation to successful grant recipients.

How do you allocate grant funding?

There are currently two grant programs offered annually by the Foundation.

1. Research Grants are grants of $60,000 each for research that improves diabetes care, management and education. These are offered to researchers through universities and research institutes and supported by a webinar discussing how to write a successful grant application. The process commences with an EOI prior to an invitation to submit a full application, whose review process will be overseen by the ADRF Council. All applications will receive personalised feedback, to provide a platform for learning and capacity building within the sector. In the previous two funding rounds, grants have been awarded to respected organisations like Deakin University, University of Sydney and Cainrmillar Institute.
2. Research Fellowships are grants of $60,000 each for ADEA members working with experienced researchers to lead research projects to improve diabetes care, management and education. The aim is to build research capacity in practical research. These are supported by a webinar on how to write a successful grant application. Submitted applications will be reviewed by at least two reviewers and feedback are available afterwards for learning and improvement opportunities. The ADRF Council also looks after the application and review process.

Both funding rounds announce the successful recipients in November, in line with World Diabetes Day – 14 November.

What types of grants have been supported?

Click here to view research projects that the Foundation have been funding.

We continue to receive more grant applications that are deemed fundable by the Research Council than we have the capacity to fund.

Why do you need my help?

We can’t do this alone. We have had great success in our first two years of funding research projects and are starting to see the impact of these projects in a practical sense, being used in everyday scenarios by both CDEs and people with diabetes.

This type of research is invaluable to ADEA members and diabetes educators to learn new ways of helping people with diabetes manage their condition and live well. These practical research projects are delivered within 12 months and outcomes can be utilised within the diabetes community in a relatively short time.

The more support ADRF receives, the more grants we can provide. As simple as that. 100% of your financial support will go directly to supporting the grant program.