Breakthrough T1D Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP): Funding, Eligibility, and How to Apply
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full program details before applying (link in resources section).
Quick Answer
The Breakthrough T1D Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP) is a non-dilutive R&D funding program for for-profit companies developing therapeutics or devices to cure, treat, or prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications. Inquiries are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. Award size and duration are negotiated project by project, and companies must commit their own funds equal to or greater than the amount requested. Breakthrough T1D takes no equity. Instead, it receives a modest, capped royalty tied to successful commercialization, and the company keeps ownership of its IP and product rights.
Program Overview
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is the largest nonprofit funder of type 1 diabetes research. Most of its grant programs fund academic investigators. The IDDP is the exception: it is built specifically for biotech, pharma, medtech, and other for-profit organizations, whether public or private.
The program pairs a company's ability to move products toward market with Breakthrough T1D's scientific expertise, clinical networks, and advocacy reach. Its stated goals are to accelerate the development of therapeutics and devices for T1D and to build long-term collaborative relationships with industry.
For SBIR and STTR companies, the IDDP is a strong complement to federal funding. It is milestone-driven, it is negotiated rather than scored against a fixed solicitation, and it comes with a strategic partner that knows the T1D market, patient community, and regulatory landscape.
What Breakthrough T1D Is Looking For
Projects must closely align with Breakthrough T1D's priority research areas and address the discovery or development of therapeutics or devices that cure, treat, or prevent T1D, including its complications.
Cell Therapies
Approaches that replace or restore insulin-producing beta cells, including stem cell-derived islets, encapsulation, and strategies that reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppression.
Disease-Modifying Therapies
Therapeutics that delay, prevent, or halt the autoimmune process behind T1D, including immunotherapies and interventions for people at risk or newly diagnosed.
Devices and Monitoring Technologies
Devices that improve daily management and outcomes. Recent Breakthrough T1D calls have focused on combined continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump devices and on continuous C-peptide monitoring, which signals strong interest in medtech and digital health.
Complications
Products that address T1D-related complications, such as cardiovascular, kidney, eye, and nerve disease.
Funding and Award Structure
Award amount: Not fixed. Budgets are approved project by project based on scope.
Duration: Open. Timelines are set in the partnership agreement.
Matching requirement: The company must commit funds equal to or greater than the amount requested from Breakthrough T1D for the full funding period.
Milestone-based payments: Funding is released against agreed research and development milestones.
Return on investment: Breakthrough T1D receives a modest ROI based on successful commercialization or agreed inflection points, typically through royalties. Royalties are capped at a proportion relative to the size of the award.
No equity: The IDDP does not take an ownership stake, which keeps it non-dilutive.
Intellectual Property
The company owns the discoveries, IP, and product rights that come out of the funded research. If the company abandons development of the funded program, Breakthrough T1D gains access rights, including the ability to sublicense the IP to another party so the technology can still reach patients.
Eligibility
For-profit organizations, public or private, including biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies
Companies may partner with academic investigators or contract research organizations
Projects must align with Breakthrough T1D's priority research areas
Companies must be able to meet the one-to-one (or greater) matching requirement
Companies should be prepared to provide audited financial statements and financial projections during due diligence
Timeline
There is no fixed deadline. Breakthrough T1D welcomes inquiries year-round and reviews opportunities on a rolling basis. Timing depends on how quickly a company moves through the pre-LOI, LOI, peer review, and agreement stages.
How to Apply
Pre-LOI discussion: Contact Breakthrough T1D and share a non-confidential pitch deck. Staff assess whether the project fits the research strategy.
Letter of Intent: If invited, submit an LOI through Breakthrough T1D's RMS360 grant system. This stage may include negotiation of a non-binding term sheet.
Full proposal: Incorporate LOI feedback into a full proposal, which goes through confidential external peer review with a rebuttal opportunity.
Agreement: After a positive review, the parties finalize a definitive agreement covering governance, milestones, IP, and commercialization terms.
IDDP vs. the T1D Fund
Breakthrough T1D also runs the T1D Fund, a venture philanthropy fund that makes equity investments in T1D companies. The IDDP is different. It funds specific research programs through milestone-based agreements and a capped royalty, not equity. Companies that want to protect their cap table should start the conversation with the IDDP.
Why SBIR and STTR Companies Should Consider the IDDP
Stackable funding: An IDDP partnership can extend runway alongside NIH SBIR and STTR awards, including NIDDK programs focused on diabetes.
Rolling access: There is no need to wait for a federal receipt date.
Strategic validation: A partnership with the leading T1D research funder strengthens investor and acquirer conversations.
Device-friendly: Unlike many disease foundations, Breakthrough T1D actively funds devices and monitoring technologies.
How BW&CO Consulting Supports IDDP Applicants
BW&CO Consulting helps deep-tech, biotech, and medtech founders build non-dilutive funding strategies that combine federal SBIR and STTR awards with foundation and state programs. For the IDDP, we assess alignment with Breakthrough T1D's priorities, shape the non-confidential pitch deck, structure milestones and matching funds, and prepare a competitive LOI and full proposal. With $350M+ in funding secured for our clients, we know how to position R&D programs for funders who expect a clear path to patients.
If you are developing a T1D therapeutic or device, book a call to see whether the IDDP fits your roadmap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Breakthrough T1D IDDP? The Industry Discovery and Development Partnership is a Breakthrough T1D program that funds for-profit companies conducting research on therapeutics or devices to cure, treat, or prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications.
Who is eligible for the IDDP? Public and private for-profit organizations, including biotech, pharma, and medical device companies. Companies may partner with academic investigators or CROs.
When is the IDDP deadline? There is no fixed deadline. Breakthrough T1D accepts inquiries year-round on a rolling basis.
How much funding does the IDDP provide? There is no published cap. Budgets are approved project by project, and companies must match the requested amount with their own funds, dollar for dollar or more.
Is the IDDP non-dilutive? Yes. Breakthrough T1D does not take equity. It receives a modest royalty tied to commercialization, and that royalty is capped relative to the award amount.
Who owns the IP from an IDDP project? The company owns the discoveries, IP, and product rights. Breakthrough T1D gains access rights only if the company abandons development of the funded program.
Does the IDDP fund medical devices and digital health? Yes. The program covers therapeutics and devices, and recent Breakthrough T1D calls have targeted integrated CGM and pump systems and continuous C-peptide monitoring.
How do I apply for the IDDP? Start with a pre-LOI conversation and a non-confidential pitch deck. If invited, submit an LOI through RMS360, then a full proposal for external peer review, followed by agreement negotiation.
Can I combine the IDDP with SBIR or STTR funding? The IDDP is a separate program from federal SBIR and STTR, so companies can pursue both. Confirm with Breakthrough T1D whether federal award dollars can count toward the company match.
What is the difference between the IDDP and the T1D Fund? The T1D Fund makes equity investments. The IDDP funds specific research programs through milestone payments and a capped royalty without taking equity.
Can BW&CO Consulting help with an IDDP application? Yes. BW&CO helps companies assess fit, build the pitch deck, structure milestones and matching funds, and prepare the LOI and full proposal.