NOFO: Advancing Technologies to Enhance Engraftment in Cell Therapy 2025

Across the country and around the world, leading scientists are working to solve the many parts of the type 1 diabetes puzzle to deliver cures and life-improving breakthroughs. Breakthrough T1D helps fund their work, connects their research and propels advances forward with the aim of getting solutions to market as quickly as possible.

Funding Information

• This program will award grants of up to $300,000 per year for 2 years according to the preliminary data available and scope of work proposed.

Eligible Projects

• Examples of research appropriate for this RFA include, but are not limited to:
  • The further development of strategies (e.g. scaffolds, hydrogels, cell delivery devices) that ensure adequate oxygenation of the cell graft in vivo and accelerate stable long-term vascularization and integration of the graft at alternative transplantation sites.
  • Strategies to improve insulin kinetics through better function of implanted beta cells, with a focus on improved function and glycemic control over purely cell survival.
  • Development of methods to quantify engraftment without invasive biopsy such as validating biomarkers of engraftment (e.g., miRNA, prohormone ratios) or developing blood vessel and oxygen imaging.
  • Investigation of the relationship between engraftment propensity and various graft features such as cell maturation/metabolism (mitochondrial state, respiration rate), insulin-producing cell source, immunogenicity or site of implantation.
  • Characterization of differential immune reactions and inflammation at various extrahepatic sites to better inform immune protection strategies at alternative sites.
  • Validation of novel target genes involved in promoting cell engraftment via small molecule or pharmacologic treatment.

Ineligible Projects

• Examples of research not supported by this RFA include:
  • Genetic modification of the transplanted beta cells.
  • Approaches entailing the use of co-transplanted support cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem/stromal cells or isolated micro vessels) to promote vascularization or survival and engraftment of transplanted beta cells.
  • Delivery of therapeutics targeting beta cells that reduce beta cell stress and death independent of vascularization or engraftment (e.g., GLP-1 pathway).
  • The early preclinical development of immunoisolating encapsulation devices to prevent immune rejection.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign non-profit organization, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories, units of state and local governments and eligible agencies of the federal government, for-profit entities, or industry collaborations with academia.
• Applicants must hold an MD, DMD, DVM, PhD, or equivalent and have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility.
• There are no citizenship requirements for this program. To assure continued excellence and diversity among applicants and awardees, Breakthrough T1D welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and encourages applications from persons with disabilities, women, and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences.

Review Criteria

• Applications will be subjected to confidential external scientific review evaluated on the following:
  • Significance
  • Relevance
  • Approach
  • Environment
  • Resource sharing plan

For more information, visit Breakthrough T1D UK.