Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Florida received a $153,500 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2028. The award supports research investigating thymic output in the context of genetics, environmental exposures, and progression to type 1 diabetes (T1D). The research addresses critical gaps in understanding how thymic function is impacted during the early stages of T1D development, with particular focus on the interplay between genetic risk factors and environmental stimuli in initiating autoimmune responses that lead to pancreatic beta cell loss.

The research project will deliver scientific knowledge and analysis examining how the thymus responds to environmental factors such as stress, nutritional changes, and viral infections during T1D progression. By analyzing thymic function through immunological assessment methods, the project aims to advance understanding of early initiating events in T1D pathogenesis beyond current peripheral T cell phenotype analyses. This research directly supports NIDDK's programmatic objectives to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes through fundamental and clinical biomedical research addressing disease mechanisms and etiology.