Frequently Asked Questions: ADA Grant Applications

• Q: I am interested in applying for an ADA grant, but I don’t know which grant would be appropriate given my needs and eligibility criteria.
  A: The applicant must decide which grant will best suite his/her needs and qualifications. Please carefully review the instructions posted on the web-site for each grant before making your decision. Should you have any specific questions once you have reviewed the guidelines, please feel free to contact Magda Galindo, at grantquestions@diabetes.org.
• Q: I get an error message when I click on the link to the application.
  A: The application link is very sensitive and the online application contains cookies, which may be prohibited by your security system. These problems can be avoided by: 1) Restarting computer, making sure all other applications and browsers remain closed, 2) temporarily changing your security setting to allow cookies (your network administrator may need to do this for you), and 3) copying and pasting the link (https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_320/Default.asp) into your web browser. Please note: If you have had problems accessing the application in the past, you will likely need to take the same precautionary measures every time you revisit the saved application.
• Q: I just submitted a grant. When can I expect confirmation of receipt?
  A: Our system will automatically generate a confirmation email, which includes your reference number. If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, please email us at grantquestions@diabetes.org.
• Q: I submitted an application last cycle. When can I expect to hear back from the ADA regarding the review status?
  A: Typically, it takes 3 months, from the application deadline, to send preliminary round results to applicants, and an additional 2 months to send the final round results to applicants who made it past the first round.
• Q: What is the ADA review process?
  A: Once applications have been received, they will be processed through our system, and stored in our database. A list of applications will be sent to our expert panel of reviewers, who will select the grants that best fit their area of expertise. Once selected, applications will be sent to reviewers. Each grant will be reviewed by three panel members. Reviewers carefully review, score and critique each application. Preliminary round status depends on scores. Those that do not make it past the first round will receive notifications and reviewer comments. Final round applications will be reviewed by the panel at our semi-annual grant review committee meeting. Once final scores are determined, ADA selects the highest ranked applications for funding. At this point, all applicants will be sent the final notices, including reviewer comments. The number and percentage of applications accepted for funding each round depends on the number of applicants and funds available.
• Q: The ADA requires that all applicants (except mentors and fellows) dedicate 75% of their time to research (i.e. 75% effort). Mentors must dedicate 80% time to diabetes-related research. What does this mean?
  A: The Principal Investigator must spend at least 75 out of every 100 professional hours on any research (funded by ADA and/or another institution). It the Principal Investigator’s percent effort varies through out the year, they should calculate an average for the course of the year. If needed, we should be able to verify your percent effort claim with your institution.
• Q: I am a US citizen. I would like to partner with a researcher in a foreign country. How can he/she be included on this grant application?
  A: They can be considered collaborating investigators (as opposed to co-investigators), and added on as a "subcontract". All ADA award checks are sent to the PI’s U.S. research institution. That institution can then forward the appropriate amount to the non-U.S. collaborating investigator/institution.
• Q: I already have an ADA grant, which is not a mentor award. Am I eligible for another ADA grant?
  A: You are only eligible for another grant if your grant ends before the beginning of the new grant, should the new grant be awarded. Example: Joe Brown has a Research Award that ends December 30, 2007. He is, therefore, eligible to apply on July 16, 2007 for an award that will start January, 2008.
• Q: I already have one Mentor-Based Award. Can I apply for another mentor award?
  A: Unless the current mentor award ends before the start date of the new award, you are not eligible to apply. Recipients can only hold one mentor award and one non-mentor award. Recipients cannot have 3 ADA awards simultaneously.
• Q: Who completes the Mentor-Based Award applications, the mentor or the fellow?
  A: The mentor must complete the application. The award will be in the mentor’s name. The mentor will be the Principal Investigator on the project.
• Q: Do the mentors need to have only one project listed on their application, or can they include several potential projects?
  A: Applicants can include more than one project for consideration, but keep in mind that space for project overview on the application is very limited. If awarded the grant, the fellow must devote 100% to one project.
• Q: Do mentors need to have a fellow chosen before submitting the application?
  A: No, mentors can chose a fellow after grant receipt, but, please note, they must be selected before the research begins.
• Q: I would like to apply as a PI on an ADA grant. How do I sign up as a professional member?
  A: Refer to the guidelines listed on https://www.diabetes.org/secure/membership/new_membership.jsp
• Q: When are IACUC and IRB materials due?
  A: When using human and/or animal subjects in your research, institutional IACUC and IRB approvals must be received before the start date of your research. We will not send out award letters if IRBs are missing. The approval process can take several months, so we suggest you submit your research for approval when you submit your application. If you get proof of submission and/or approval by the addendum due date (see instructions for details), send it to grantforms@diabetes.org, and we will attach it to your application for review. Early submission and approval may strengthen your application.
• Q: 1) What are accepted as addendum materials? 2) When are addendum materials due? 3) Where can I send addendum materials? 4) What are the page limits for addendum materials? 5) What are the page limits for the body of the application?
  A: 1) Addendum materials may include additional preliminary data obtained after the application deadline date, manuscripts, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and/or Institutional Review Board Materials. Materials other than preliminary data, manuscripts, and approval forms will not be accepted as addendum materials. 2) Addendum materials are always due on February 15th and August 15th, regardless of the application due date. 3) Applicants can email the addendum materials to grantforms@diabetes.org and type “Addendum” in the subject line. In the email text, the applicant must type the PI’s name, type of award application, title, and type of addendum material(s). 4) The additional preliminary data must not exceed three pages. Applicants can submit only two manuscripts per application. If one manuscript was already included in the body of the application, only one manuscript is allowed as an addendum. 5) Applicants must not submit an addendum that is intended to extend the 12-page limit of the Research Plan.