This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at the Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) Postdoctoral and Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowships. As the leading charitable funder of diabetes research worldwide, Breakthrough T1D offers these mechanisms to attract and support promising scientists who are dedicated to solving the clinical and scientific problems associated with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
​Whether you are just entering the T1D research field or transitioning to an independent faculty position, these fellowships provide critical support. In a notable update, applicants proposing human subject research on long-term complications—specifically diabetic eye, kidney, and cardiovascular disease—are now eligible to apply for these training awards.
​Introduction
​Type 1 diabetes is a complex puzzle, and accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications requires a diverse and highly trained research workforce. Breakthrough T1D’s Postdoctoral and Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship programs are strategically designed to draw fresh talent to the field and provide a structured bridge to research independence.
​The Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) is tailored for scientists at a relatively early stage in their careers. Conversely, the Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship (APF) is aimed at candidates who have already completed some postdoctoral training and demonstrate extraordinary promise for an independent (faculty-level) career. Both mechanisms require the applicant to work with a dedicated sponsor who can foster a training environment conducive to a career in T1D-relevant research.
​Quick Summary Box: Opportunity Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Names | Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) & Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship (APF) |
| Host Organization | Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) |
| Focus Area | Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research, including human subject research on long-term complications |
| Duration | Up to 3 years for both PDF and APF |
| Target Audience | Early-career scientists (PDF) and scientists transitioning to independent faculty positions (APF) |
| Location | Domestic & foreign non-profit organizations, universities, hospitals, labs, and eligible federal agencies |
| Letter of Intent (LOI) | Not Required for Fellowships |
Benefits
​Breakthrough T1D provides robust financial and professional support to its fellows, ensuring they have the resources necessary to focus entirely on their research.
​For Advanced Postdoctoral Fellows (APF):
- ​Funding: The maximum budget is $95,000 USD per year for up to 3 years.
- ​Research Allowance: Funds in excess of the calculated stipend (up to the $95,000 maximum) can be used for travel to scientific meetings (up to $2,000/year), journal subscriptions, books, training courses, lab supplies, or equipment (equipment in Year 1 only).
- ​Transition Award: To bridge the gap to a faculty appointment, the APF carries an optional 1-year Transition Award. This can provide up to $110,000 in total costs during the fellow's first year as a faculty member at an academic institution.
​For Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF):
- ​Funding: The total dollar amount varies and is based on the applicant's years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of award activation.
- ​Research Allowance: A specific research allowance of $5,500 is provided to enrich the training experience. This can cover travel (up to $2,000/year), books, journals, and courses, though it is not meant for standard lab supplies or equipment.
​General Benefits:
- ​Computer Purchases: The purchase of a personal computer (up to $2,000) is allowed during Year 1 of the award for both fellowships.
- ​Health Insurance: Health insurance costs are a permissible budget inclusion.
​Eligibility Criteria
​Breakthrough T1D carefully evaluates candidates based on their career stage and commitment to the field.
- ​Time Commitment: Fellows must devote at least 75% of their effort to the project outlined in their fellowship proposal.
- ​Concurrent Awards: Recipients cannot simultaneously hold another postdoctoral fellowship.
- ​Sponsor Requirement: The applicant must be sponsored by an investigator affiliated full-time with an accredited institution. While the sponsor does not strictly need a background in diabetes, the proposed research project must be directly related to T1D.
- ​Career Stage (PDF): Ordinarily, the applicant’s most recent doctoral degree should have been received no more than 5 years before the application is submitted.
- ​Career Stage (APF): Ordinarily, the most recent doctoral degree should have been received no more than 6 years before the application submission.
- ​Flexibility: Breakthrough T1D is highly sensitive to life events (e.g., childbirth, caregiving, health issues, or COVID-19 delays). Applicants who fall outside the standard eligibility timeframes due to such leaves of absence are encouraged to contact Breakthrough T1D staff ahead of submission, as the organization aims to be flexible.
​Eligible Healthcare Professions
​These fellowships require an advanced degree but are open to a diverse array of medical and scientific professionals:
- ​Applicants must hold an MD, DMD, DVM, DO, PhD, or equivalent degree.
- ​The degree must be completed and conferred from an accredited institution by the time the award is activated.
- ​Crucial Restriction: The applicant must not be simultaneously serving an internship or a residency during the fellowship period.
​IMG / International Applicant Considerations
​Breakthrough T1D is a global funding agency and actively encourages international participation.
- ​Location: Research can be conducted at foreign non-profit organizations, public or private universities, and hospitals worldwide.
- ​Sponsor Equivalency: The same rules apply globally; IMGs must secure a qualified sponsor at their host institution who will provide the necessary training environment.
- ​Payments: For international grantees, award payments are processed via Wire Transfer in US Dollars (USD). Grantees should be aware that Breakthrough T1D is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations.
- ​Ethical Approvals: If international ethical approval forms are submitted in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a cover letter in English on the institution's letterhead, signed by the department head, verifying the form's content and expiration date.
​Required Documents
​Applying for these fellowships requires meticulous preparation. All materials must be submitted via the RMS360 portal.
- ​Research Plan (Maximum 7 pages): This is the core of the application and must include Specific Aims, Background/Significance, Preliminary Results (if available), Research Designs and Methods, Training Environment aspects, planned coursework, and pertinent literature references (references do not count toward the page limit).
- ​Future Career Plans Statement (Maximum 2 pages): A detailed explanation of the applicant's career goals, how the award will facilitate independence, how much time will be protected for research, and the timeline for obtaining a faculty position.
- ​Training Plan Statement (Maximum 2 pages, written by Sponsor): The sponsor must provide their biosketch, a list of previous trainees, a supervision plan, confirmation of facility availability, and information regarding all other sources of grant support.
- ​Three Recommendation References: These must be confidential and submitted directly into RMS360 by the referees. Note: The sponsor cannot be one of these three references.
- ​Biosketches: Uploaded for the Principal Investigator (Applicant) and the Mentor/Sponsor.
- ​Human Subject/Animal Research Documentation: If applicable, appropriate supplementary plans must be provided.
​Application Process
​The submission process is heavily reliant on Institutional coordination through Breakthrough T1D’s web-based grant management system, RMS360.
- ​Account Creation: Both the applicant (PI) and the institutional Research Officer (RO) must have registered accounts on RMS360.
- ​Template Completion: Applicants download required templates (like the Research Plan) from RMS360, complete them offline using MS Word, convert them to unencrypted PDFs, and upload them back to the portal.
- ​Reference Submission: The applicant must trigger requests for the three recommendation letters through the system. The application cannot be validated or submitted until all three references are successfully uploaded by the referees.
- ​Validation and Final Submission: Once the applicant completes their sections, they click "Validate and Submit Proposal to RO". The institutional Research Officer must then log in, approve the project budget, and execute the final submission to Breakthrough T1D.
​Tips to Increase Your Chances
- ​Strategic Alignment: Breakthrough T1D explicitly states that while not an absolute requirement, proposals that clearly align with their specific Priority areas and Research Strategy will be given priority consideration during the review process.
- ​Emphasize Your Career Trajectory: For both fellowships, the applicant's professional ability and promise for a career in T1D research hold the highest priority in the selection process. Ensure your Future Career Plan Statement convincingly outlines your path to independence.
- ​Mentor Collaboration: Extensive discussion between the applicant and the proposed mentor is expected when designing the project. The committee evaluates the quality of the mentor and the training environment heavily.
- ​Clarify Your Role: If your proposed project is part of a larger clinical trial or laboratory program, you must clearly define your specific role and explain how your individual efforts will lead to your scientific independence.
​Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ​Violating Formatting Guidelines: Research plans exceeding the 7-page limit will not be considered. Furthermore, text must be in a 10-point font size with at least 1/2-inch margins. Failing to adhere to these rules results in administrative triage.
- ​Including Indirect Costs: Do not include indirect (overhead) costs in your budget. There are no indirect costs allowed for Breakthrough T1D fellowships.
- ​Relying on Sponsors for Recommendations: Sponsors must write the Training Plan Statement, but they cannot serve as one of the three required recommendation references. Using a sponsor as a reference will delay or invalidate your application.
- ​Missing the RO Submission Step: The applicant clicking "submit" only sends the proposal to the institution's Research Officer. Many applicants fail to realize that the RO must subsequently approve and submit the grant to Breakthrough T1D before the deadline.
​Application Timeline
​The general lifecycle of an application involves submission, review, and notification:
- ​Submission: Full proposals are submitted directly to RMS360 (no LOI required for fellowships).
- ​Scientific Review: Proposals undergo internal and/or external peer review, receiving qualitative critiques and quantitative scores.
- ​Rebuttals (If applicable): Reviewers' written critiques are shared with the applicant, and Breakthrough T1D staff may request a rebuttal to address specific concerns.
- ​Final Decision: The Breakthrough T1D Scientific Team makes funding recommendations, and the Senior Management or International Board of Directors makes the final approval. Applicants are notified in writing.
​Deadline
​Deadlines for Breakthrough T1D grants vary based on the specific funding cycle and Request for Applications (RFA).Â
FY27 Training Awards currently ongoing and closes on July 2nd, 2026.
​FAQs
​Q: Can I apply if I am currently completing my medical residency?
A: No. At the time of activating the award, you must not be simultaneously serving an internship or residency.
​Q: Are there any deductions made for taxes from the stipend?
A: Breakthrough T1D does not make deductions for income tax, Social Security, or similar fees.
​Q: Can I request funds to hire a research technician or assistant?
A: No. Salary support for additional staff is not allowable under the fellowship mechanisms.
​Q: If my proposal involves human subjects, what extra steps are required?
A: You must submit a Human Subject Research Plan and adhere to the Scientific Guidelines. If you do not provide the appropriate supplementary documentation for human subjects, your application will be administratively triaged.
​Official Link(s)
​To view the most up-to-date Request for Applications (RFAs), access RMS360, and apply, please visit:
​Final Thoughts
​The Breakthrough T1D Postdoctoral and Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowships are transformative opportunities for dedicated health scientists. By covering comprehensive training, providing robust financial backing, and offering pathways to independent faculty positions, Breakthrough T1D ensures that the brightest minds are equipped to tackle Type 1 Diabetes.
​If your career ambitions involve pushing the boundaries of T1D clinical or basic science, preparing a rigorous, mission-aligned application for these fellowships could be your definitive next step. Work closely with your sponsor, adhere strictly to the guidelines, and position yourself at the leading edge of discovery.
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