Health | F. M. Kirby Foundation

JDRF

The F.M. Kirby Foundation is pleased to celebrate 10 years of continuous partnership with JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. From funding innovative research to advocating for government action to providing a support structure for those living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), JDRF is a leading organization in learning more about the disease in order to deliver a cure. Today, the most promising cure for T1D involved a three-pronged approach: cell therapies, disease-modifying therapies, and screening and monitoring of potential carriers of the disease.

JDRF’s research has two core objectives. First, research is directed toward restoring the body’s ability to make insulin or to stop T1D before it occurs. The second goal of JDRF’s research is to improve the lives of those living with T1D by sharing best practices for staying healthy until advances are made in resources, technologies, and therapies. Furthermore, in the next five years, JDRF hopes to develop and execute a universal screening strategy that reduces diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis. By sustaining partnerships with peer research institutions and supporting promising research initiatives, JDRF can deliver better therapy options for individuals to manage life with T1D until this goal is achieved.

In 2021, the JDRF T1D Fund catalyzed $213M in private venture capital investment in novel companies developing innovative T1D therapies. Working with the world’s leading scientists and institutions to advance the most promising of T1D innovations, JDRF coordinated over 275 research and development projects as well as 58 new research grants. With a global footprint including 5 international affiliates, JDRF is strategically positioned to improve the health and well-being of millions of people living with T1D.

The F. M. Kirby Foundation’s mission of promoting healthy communities is well-exemplified in our Health funding areas of interest. With a goal to support not only medical centers who treat patients in times of need, but also medical institutions performing cutting-edge research concerning an array of biomedical afflictions, the Foundation may contribute to the health and wellbeing of current communities and future generations. In particular, we are proud to support investigators engaged in translational research, believing that building a pipeline of talented scientists working on today’s problems will yield tomorrow’s solutions. Descriptions of the major funding sub-categories in Health are listed below.

Cancer Research

Funding for cancer research is provided to support both individual research centers and research conglomerates with an additional educational focus.

Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Research in this category includes Alzheimer’s research, pediatric brain damage research, and perception and sensory disorders.

Medical Center Support

This includes funding for medical centers and hospitals in geographic areas of interest.

Type 1 Diabetes Research

Organizations here include institutions working to better prevent, treat, and diagnose Type 1 Diabetes.

General Biomedical Research

This category includes institutions developing research on numerous biomedical issues, including Crohn’s and Colitis, spinal cord injuries, audiology research, organ donation, and ophthalmology.

Cancer Research

Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Medical Center Support

Type 1 Diabetes Research

General Biomedical Research

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