The organisation says the investment is a reaction to a dire lack of government funding for diabetes research.
Diabetes Australia has committed $40 million over the next decade to bolster research initiatives pursuing novel treatment options and ultimately cures for all types of diabetes in response to an alleged “crisis” in federal funding for diabetes research.
Plans are underway to consult with researchers and individuals living with diabetes at the start of next year to ensure the investment is distributed as effectively as possible over the ten-year period, with Diabetes Australia CEO Justine Cain saying the organisation was “unwavering” in its commitment to supporting the diabetes research community.
“Research is the key to changing the future of diabetes in Australia. It creates hope for a cure, and for better day-to-day management, which is vital for people living with diabetes,” Ms Cain said.
“This significant commitment, by Diabetes Australia, will provide greater certainty for our diabetes research community and grow its life changing impact in discovering better treatments, and ultimately a cure for all types of diabetes.”
News of the investment was welcomed by the diabetes research community, with Australian Diabetes Society CEO Professor Sof Andrikopoulos saying substantial investment in research was vital to improving quality of life and health outcomes for people living with diabetes.
“Understanding the condition’s process and its complications is the only way we can ensure people living with diabetes can live well,” Professor Andrikopoulos said.
“This can only happen with significant investment in research.”
In addition to the $40 million pledge for research, Diabetes Australia also announced that it would be opening a new category of grant funding, the Diabetes Community Priority grants, with a minimum of four grants valued at up to $100,000 each available for projects addressing unmet needs and priorities voiced by the diabetes community.
“We recognise that research needs to be centred in lived experience, so through these grants we are involving people who live with diabetes throughout the research process,” Ms Cain said.
“These new grants signal our commitment to ensuring the diabetes community has a strong voice in research.”
The organisation also confirmed the list of recipients given funding under the 2025 Diabetes Australia Research Program, with eight general grants and three awards (the 2025 Charles Coghlan OAM Emerging Researcher Award, the 2025 Millennium Type 1 Award and the 2025 Millennium Type 2 Award) handed out to research initiatives targeting emerging treatments and underlying mechanisms contributing to type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
More information on the Diabetes Australia research program for 2025 and current projects is available here.