Ready to amp up your advocacy and inspire others? Apply today to join a select group of advocates like you from around the country – people putting their time, energy, unique skillset, and dedication toward becoming a new group of Diabetes Advocacy Leaders who can bend the curve for people with diabetes.

The ADA Diabetes Advocacy Leadership Program (ALP) is an exciting and intensive 10-month knowledge and skill-building program designed to cultivate a new tier of Diabetes Advocacy Leaders within our broad network of advocates.

• Interested participants may submit an application expressing a commitment to participate in the next program. Before submitting the application, please review the list of required elements below.
• 10 chosen individuals will participate as a cohort group and will receive intensive training and hands-on experience in all areas of ADA Advocacy.

Apply to the Diabetes Advocacy Leadership Program by clicking here.

PLEASE NOTE: To successfully complete the ALP, participants must complete the orientation. See below for more information on the program requirements, and email grassroots@diabetes.org with questions.

What are the required Diabetes Advocacy Leadership Program elements?

• The ADA Diabetes ALP kickoff workshop: The workshop includes an orientation to ADA advocacy priorities and key resources, as well as the legal dos and don’ts related to non-profit advocacy. The opening session of the ALP is intended to create a consistent foundational comprehension and grasp of grassroots advocacy strategies and ADAs priorities/programming. 
• Four (4) Advocates in Action webinars, which may include: ADA Advocacy priorities, Social Media, Health Equity, in-district meetings with members of Congress, and more.
• Two (2) Diabetes ALP online meetings covering topics of interest as determined by ADA Advocacy staff and with input from ALP participants.
• A Diabetes ALP Advocacy project and an informal project presentation to other ALP participants during one of two webinars. Learn more about the ALP Advocacy Project in the section below.
• Call to Congress participation: Participate in ADA’s 3-day premier advocacy event in March or April, which includes training for meeting with members of Congress, Capitol Hill visits, and training for ongoing advocacy in the community.

What is the advocacy project?

The Advocacy Project is ideal for anyone who is looking to increase their advocacy skillset and engagement in diabetes advocacy focusing on increased awareness of the diabetes epidemic and ADA legislative priorities to bend the curve of the disease. Participants should be able to commit time to organizing advocacy efforts within their community/state.
Each advocate will be assigned a staff liaison to support their project. Participants are encouraged to undertake projects that:

• Increase the size or engagement levels of ADA’s grassroots base;
• Strengthen the case for support for one or more of ADA’s legislative, regulatory, or legal advocacy priorities—from healthcare access, to funding for research and programs, and much more;
• Or, create a compelling grassroots effort with a goal of advocate recruitment, increased engagement, and/or to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes and the importance of advocacy.

In February of each year, advocates will participate in two final webinars consisting of project presentations. Participants will be expected to spend 5-10 minutes discussing their Diabetes ALP Advocacy Projects and taking questions from other participants. Additionally, brief summaries of the projects will be shared as examples for future Diabetes ALP cohorts.

Diabetes ALP participants who remain engaged throughout the course of the program and who complete the ALP Advocacy Project will receive a certificate of achievement from the ADA and Diabetes ALP Alumni designation.

FAQ: getting started

How can I participate?
If you’re interested in participating in the ALP or know someone who may be interested, the interest form/application process opens in April. Learn about key dates here. Please note, applicants must commit to completing all elements of the program to be considered for participation.

How much does the program cost?
The cost of the program is $125, which helps ensure ADA can continue its mission-focused work to support people living with diabetes. If you are interested in applying, but need a stipend, please indicate this in your application. At this time, the program is limited to 10 participants, so make sure to sign up early.

Why should I participate? 
Participation in all program elements will prepare you to be an effective advocacy leader in your community. Upon completion of the program, you will:

• Become a recognized advocacy leader in your community and across the nation.
• Be well-versed in ADA’s Advocacy priorities to support people impacted by diabetes.
• Create connections with other ALP members and ADA staff.
• Be confident in communicating ADA’s advocacy messages to other volunteers, community members, and lawmakers.
• Know where to find ADA resources to support advocacy engagement.
• Have concrete ideas and firsthand experience in a diverse set of advocacy tactics, ranging from social media engagement to grassroots petition drives for growing and engaging ADA’s grassroots network in your communities and/or states.  
• Have a sense of accomplishment, knowing you’ve made a unique contribution to strengthen diabetes advocacy through your Diabetes ALP Advocacy Project.
• Be a part of ADA’s Diabetes Advocacy movement as a known and defined advocacy leader.