Diabetes UK has launched a £100,000 grant for scientists to study how COVID-19 affects people living with diabetes. The charity is urging scientists to submit their research applications now as the deadline is 20 April 2020.
COVID-19 is affecting everyone globally, but there is uncertainty about whether people with diabetes could be more vulnerable.
Infection with other Coronaviruses, similar to COVID-19, can cause more severe symptoms and complications in people with diabetes. However, with the novel COVID-19, there is an urgent need to fill in the current gaps in knowledge around how it affects people living with any type of diabetes.
From investigating which groups of people with diabetes might be at higher risk of COVID-19 complications, to looking at the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the charity hopes to see a range of essential research questions.
This will help rapidly improve the advice that can be given to people living with diabetes, and help them keep safe and healthy during this uncertain time.
Applicants are encouraged to work across disciplines and collaborate with other researchers to develop innovative proposals.
While there are no restrictions on the areas of focus that will be accepted to the call, and Diabetes UK will not exclude specific research areas, applicants are encouraged to consider the COVID-19 priority areas identified by NIHR and the MRC.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, 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.”
The deadline for applications is 20 April 2020. For more about the proposals and to how to apply CLICK HERE.
