Research Grants program Awards 2026
THE SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS OF THE 2026 DIABETES SA RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM AWARDS
Since 2018, thanks to the generosity of our members, community donors and, more recently, the estate of Ms Sieglinde Hannelore Darsow, Diabetes SA has supported 13 leading Australian researchers with $1,070,750 across four rounds of this program.
The alumni of past and present recipients of the Diabetes SA Research Grants Program include Dr Christina Bursill, Professor Damien Keating, Professor Paul Ward, Dr Chinmay Marathe, Associate Professor Richard Young, Dr Rebecca Thomson, Dr David Jesudason, Dr Megan Penno, Dr Cher-Rin Chong, Dr Lisa Nicholas, Dr Stephen Kidd, Dr Jantina Manning and Dr Karen Alt.
Now in its fifth round, the Diabetes SA Research Grants Program funds innovative and creative diabetes research with the potential to challenge current paradigms and make a genuine impact on diabetes prevention, detection, and management.
This round, 19 researcher teams applied for funding and two outstanding projects were awarded:
- Dr Joanne Tan from the South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute
Received a 2-year Research Grant valued at $100,000 for her project titled ‘Novel hypoxia-targeted antimiR-181c nanotherapy to restore wound healing in diabetes ’
- Dr Jantina Manning from Adelaide University
Received a 1-year Research Grant valued at $50,000 for her project titled ‘Rethinking metformin: a new kidney pathway for blood sugar control’
On behalf of the Board, our members, and the many donors whose generosity makes this program possible, we thank all grant applicants for the tireless work they do. Diabetes SA acknowledges the value that research brings to the diabetes community enabling us to advance knowledge and treatments that improve the health and wellbeing of people living with or at risk of diabetes.
This year, the funds for the 2-year Sieglinde Hannelore Darsow – Type 1 Award are yet to be awarded because the applications submitted did not allow us to award the funding in a way that would ensure the impact this award is intended to have. We remain firmly committed to this award and to researchers working in this space. We welcome your continued engagement with Diabetes SA and encourage you to apply again when the next funding round opens.
For more information about the Diabetes SA Grants Program please contact us at [email protected].
