In response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, we’re making £100,000 available for scientists to study how coronavirus affects people living with diabetes.
It’s never easy living with any type of diabetes. But we know right now many will be especially worried about their own or a loved ones’ health. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone across the world, but there’s uncertainty about whether or not people with diabetes are at potentially higher risk.
We know that infection with coronaviruses similar to Covid-19 can, in some cases, cause more severe symptoms and complications in people with diabetes. But Covid-19 is a very new type of virus and there are big gaps in our knowledge. We urgently need to learn more about this virus and how it affects people living with diabetes.
We fund diabetes research so that we can discover more about the condition and transform care and treatments. It’s now more important than ever to drive forward innovative research. So we’re reaching out to scientists across the UK and asking them to apply for up to £100,000 of our funding, to help us understand more about Covid-19 and diabetes. And we know we need answers fast. We’re speeding up our usual funding processes so we can get this vital research started as soon as possible.
From investigating which groups of people with diabetes might be at greater risk of complications from Covid-19, to looking at the impact of the pandemic on people with diabetes’ mental health – we hope our funding will help scientists answer a range of important research questions.
We’re encouraging applicants to collaborate with other researchers to help us develop an understanding of how COVID-19 affects people living with diabetes. We hope that the funded projects will help us rapidly improve the advice that can be given to people living with diabetes, and help them keep safe and healthy during this uncertain time.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson is our Director of Research. She said:
“Covid-19 is a pandemic unprecedented in living memory, and there’s much we don’t yet understand about its impact on people living with diabetes. We know it’s a hugely concerning time and to make sure that we can best support and advise people with diabetes, we urgently need to fill this research gap. That’s why this rapid response funding call is so important. It will bring together researchers and equip them to answer the pressing questions around Covid-19 and diabetes.”
Check the latest advice and guidance on coronavirus and living with diabetes.
For applicants wanting to apply to the funding call, please see our Apply for a Grant page. The deadline for applications is Monday 20 April.
