This competition aims to provide a route for supporting clinically relevant innovative projects in the area of diabetes care.
This ‘Dragons' Den’ route will appeal to the strengths of NHS clinicians with worthy clinical projects that would be important to support.
Watch our video to learn more about this funding scheme.
"We are delighted to receive this recognition and support from ABCD and the Dragons. This is hugely beneficial to us as doctors approaching the end of our training, who may soon become involved in design of diabetes services working as Consultants." 💬 2023 awardee, Emma Johns, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Who can apply?
Resident doctors, consultants and health care professionals who are up to 5 years post Certificate of Completion of Training and without previous grant funding. The applicant will usually have a clinical post in the UK and the research will take place at a UK institution.
Funding criteria
✅ This fund is for small clinically relevant projects relating to education, research and quality improvement.
✅ Grants will be for a maximum of £10,000 to be used within 2 years. The term can be extended with the permission of the ABCD grant committee.
✅ Funds need to be activated within a 6 month period. Any extension, for exceptional circumstances, would require permission of the ABCD grant committee
✅ Successful applicants will have to acknowledge ABCD and DCT in all outputs including publications and presentations.
✅ Awardees will be required to present the results at the ABCD annual conference and publish their research, along with a review (1500-3000 word) on the subject of the research for publication in the British Journal of Diabetes.
"Success with this grant award has given me the confidence to actively seek other funding opportunities, and has demonstrated to me that I am starting to develop the skills required to be a successful academic...I intend to have a fully active academic career and this grant award has hopefully provided the first steps to achieving that." 💬 2023 awardee, Oluwaseun Anyiam, University of Nottingham / University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
How to apply
To apply, record a video of up to 120 seconds, that outlines your proposal, you do not need to prepare any slides, however, in your video you will need to clearly state the following:
The problem your project addresses
- Project aims
- Timeline
- Budget
- Expected outcomes
In your message please include your full name, email address, title of your project, your institution and the name of your Supervisor/Senior Manager or Head of Department along with a named Research Office Contact.
Share your video and message with ABCD via WhatsApp - send to 07852 367 285.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday 4th September 2026.
A panel made up of members of the ABCD Academic/Research Grant Review Committee will shortlist the video applications.
Those shortlisted will be invited to present their proposal virtually to our 'Diabetes Dragons' and to answer questions from the panel.
Funding application timeline
- Stage one video application closes - 4th September 2026
- Stage one applicants shortlisted - September/October 2026
- Stage two proposal presentation - 16th - 27th November 2026
- Stage two applicants notified of outcome - December 2026
The project(s) deemed worthy of support will be required to complete an official acceptance form providing proof of any required supporting evidence and governance approvals.
Final selection is subject to scrutiny process.
Watch our short video for an overview of this opportunity
Grant Awardees 2023
Dr Emma Johns, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: Hybrid closed loop to prevent Recurrent DKA in High Risk People with Diabetes
Emma details her experience in this interview.
Oluwaseun Anyiam, University of Nottingham / University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust: Can High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) improve maintenance of type 2 diabetes remission?
Oluwaseun details his experience in this interview.
