Diabetes Australia’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Diabetes Research is a National Award and intended to honour an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and shown leadership in diabetes related research over a long period of time.

The inaugural Award will be announced and presented at the Research Australia Awards Dinner in Sydney on 5 November 2014.

The criteria for selection included someone who:

• has made a significant long term contribution to diabetes related research with their research primarily related to diabetes
• has a very high standing and reputation in the diabetes research community, diabetes clinical professions, and diabetes organisations
• is recognised nationally and internationally for their contribution
• has a demonstrated strong track record of publications with scientific credibility and merit
• is likely to continue to take a leadership role in diabetes related research
• may also have made a significant contribution to the broader diabetes community beyond their research contribution

The Award is valued at $50,000 and it is anticipated that the recipient will act as an ambassador for diabetes research and for Diabetes Australia. This includes guest speaker roles at many functions and events to promote government, community and business support for diabetes research in Australia and Diabetes Australia’s Research Program.

The Diabetes Australia Research Program is an annual grant round. Last year this attracted 360 applications nationwide and 46 research projects were funded with the total grant funding being $3.5 million. This includes two Millennium Grants of $150,000 each and a range of general grants averaging around $60,000 each. The purpose of the grant program is to support early stage research and researchers and keep them involved in diabetes research long enough to gain support from NHMRC and other funding sources. Around 340 applications are currently being peer reviewed by our expert panel for our 2015 grant round and approximately 50 projects are expected to be funded by Diabetes Australia later this year.

Diabetes Australia also actively participates in translational and implementation research projects, policy and health systems research, and has a strong interest in social and behavioural research related to diabetes.