The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s (Helmsley) Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program aims to support the discovery and development of new therapies to prevent or delay T1D and the identification and validation of biomarkers to predict disease initiation and progression.
T1D is a complex autoimmune disease where insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are targeted by immune cells. The predisposing factors, triggers, and other elements that affect disease pathogenesis in humans are not yet fully identified. Understanding these drivers of disease could lead to discoveries of new drug targets, guide intervention strategies to halt the disease, or improve prediction of disease development.
To date most T1D preclinical and clinical research has focused on the role T cells play in disease pathogenesis. However, innate immune cells are the first and most abundant type of immune cells in the pancreas, especially in individuals with T1D. Moreover, data, mostly generated from animal experiments, suggests that these cells might play different roles in T1D: from activating T cells and/or recruiting them to the pancreatic islets, to promoting inflammation or inducing immune tolerance. However, what leads to an increase in innate immune cells in the pancreas during T1D, its significance, and what role these cells play in disease in humans is not yet fully understood.
To address this gap, the Helmsley T1D Program seeks to support studies that aim to evaluate or modulate the function of innate immune cells and pathways in T1D, with an emphasis on human disease during relatively early stages of disease (i.e., autoantibody positivity through early onset of clinical disease).
Of specific interest are research plans that include:
Proposed activities can include, but are not limited to:
Like other fields, scientific research in T1D has been challenged by limited access to human samples. To facilitate potentially impactful studies, Helmsley has partnered with two leading T1D networks, the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes (nPOD) and INNODIA, to enable access to disease relevant samples and connected clinical and biological data in relation to this RFP. Applicants who proceed to the full proposal stage with a project that includes access to nPOD or INNODIA samples will work with the relevant network team to hone final research plans and access to samples.
Investigators with access to appropriate samples from sources outside of nPOD or INNODIA are also strongly encouraged to apply to the RFP.
Investigators are welcome to reach out to Helmsley staff to discuss other potential sources of T1D samples and data.
Excluded from the scope of the announcement are studies that primarily focus on non-innate immune cells (e.g., T cells, B cells), mechanisms that do not involve innate immunity, and projects only focusing on animal studies. Any proposed animal studies must be fundamental to the aims of the proposal, strongly based on evidence from human disease, and integrated with relevant studies using human samples and/or data.
There are two phases: (1) submitting a Concept Note and, if invited by Helmsley, (2) submitting a Full Grant Proposal. Submitted materials may be reviewed by Helmsley staff, nPOD and INNODIA representatives to the extent applicable, and subject matter experts.
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
After review of Concept Notes, selected applicants will be invited to submit Full Grant Proposals. The invitation could be for a pilot study, if deemed appropriate. Full Grant Proposals will include:
Applicants should be aware that if a proposal involving nPOD or INNODIA samples is successful, the applicant organization will be required to abide by that network’s restrictions/requirements related to use of their samples and data management/sharing policies. This includes applying directly to the network to request samples.
Applicants should complete the requested information in Fluxx AND upload a Word document or PDF (with figures) of no more than 1,200 words (figure legends do not count against the word limit) addressing the topics below.
The proposed funding term can be up to three years. Requested funding amounts can range based on activities:
If the proposed research plan cannot be launched within the funding opportunity’s boundaries, (e.g., an interventional trial requires a high number of subjects), applicants can reach out to Helmsley to discuss feasibility.
Proposed projects will be assessed based on:
Any individual with a faculty-level (or equivalent) appointment at an institution performing medical research (including non-profit and for-profit corporations) with the skills, knowledge, and resources (individual and institutional) necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. Organizations who are invited to submit a Full Grant Proposal will be required to submit additional information regarding entity status at that stage. Grant awards will be subject to Helmsley’s grant agreement terms.
NOTE: Timing of the RFP process is subject to change.
Direct scientific and application-related questions to Dr. Maryaline Coffre, T1D Program Officer (mcoffre@helmsleytrust.org) or Dr. Anne Koralova, T1D Program Officer (akoralova@helmsleytrust.org).