- To support: postdoctoral researchers to establish their independence in diabetes research.
- Career level: three to ten years postdoctoral experience.
- Funding period: over four or five years, depending on the study requirements.
- Funding amount: up to a total of £525,000.
- Deadline for preliminary application: 1 October.
- Deadline for full application: 31 October.
The RD Lawrence Fellowship was established in recognition of the life and work of the late Dr Robert Daniel Lawrence, co-founder of Diabetes UK.
Our RD Lawrence Fellowships…
Our recent career impact evaluation looked at what former grant holders of RD Lawrence Fellowships over the past 15 years have gone on to do and the impact of receiving the grant. Results show that most of them have become independent leaders in diabetes research and are nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Funding can cover:
All costs must be fully justified and will be considered by the review panel.
Preliminary applications open in March each year, and have a deadline a month before the full applications.
To apply, please read the general guidelines for grant applicants and tips for writing a grant application. Then log on to the Diabetes UK online grants management system and complete the preliminary application with a CV, list of publications and details of a potential sponsor.
Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
All applications will be sent out for external peer review. All applicants will be informed well in advance when they should expect to hear if they have been shortlisted for interview.
All applications are evaluated not only by scientific experts but also by the Grants Advisory Panel (GAP)—patients and people affected by diabetes. The plain-English summary must be clear, engaging, and show direct benefits to people living with diabetes .
Health inequality–focused research (e.g., addressing disparities, co-led by underserved communities) is actively encouraged .
Project and Career grants emphasize high-quality, hypothesis-driven research with demonstrable plans to improve diabetes outcomes .
Assessment weighs four main criteria:
• Potential impact
• Scientific rigour
• Applicant track record
• Value for money.
Project Grants are for established PIs (tenured or equivalent), up to £500 K over 5 years .
Early-Career Small Grants support pilots (£15 K, 12 months), ideal for researchers ≤4 years post-PhD or equivalent .
Intermediate Clinical Fellowships (e.g., Harry Keen) are designed for medically trained professionals establishing independent diabetes research teams .
PhD Studentships build the pipeline of future diabetes researchers .
Strong personal track record—publications, prior grants, leadership—is vital for career-level schemes .
Early-career awards often require a mentor within the same institution
Clinical fellows should plan for 50–70% protected research time, depending on training level .
Budgets must be realistic and directly tied to project needs (e.g., consumables, equipment, staff)—especially for small grants (£15 K cap, excludes salary support) .
Projects over £500 K require prior discussion, and institutions must be prepared to contribute to equipment costs .
Applications undergo external peer review, followed by pre-selection and discussion by the Research Committee .
Applicants can submit rebuttals to reviewer comments (limited to 1,500 words) .
Only invited resubmissions are permitted after feedback
Diabetes UK supports co-funded research, e.g., with MRC, NIHR, BHF—especially for fellowships and programme-level grants .
Active partnerships with other funders boost both the impact and budget, but require early coordination .
A formal strategy to increase diversity and inclusion is underway, influencing both applicant selection and research design .
They are actively recruiting diverse review panel members and analyzing application success across demographics .
📋 Summary Table
Success Predictor | What to Do |
---|---|
Patient relevance & clarity | Craft a compelling lay summary; involve patients or underserved communities |
Scientific rigor & value | Present strong hypotheses with clear methodologies, impact plans, and track record |
Match career stage & scheme | Select appropriate funding scheme (Project vs Early-Career vs Fellowship) |
Mentorship & protected time | Secure internal support, especially for early-career and clinical applicants |
Well-justified budget | Detail all project costs; consult early for high-budget proposals |
Review & rebuttal process | Respond thoroughly to reviewer comments; resubmit only if invited |
Form strategic partnerships | Plan co-funding routes and collaborations ahead of time |
Build inclusion into research | Align with their EDI strategy and diversify teams and populations |
✅ Final Takeaway:
To succeed with Diabetes UK, your application must be:
Scientifically rigorous and diabetes-focused
Inclusive, patient-centered, and written in accessible language
Budget-appropriate and career-stage matched
Strategically reviewed and, where possible, part of co-funding partnerships
Designed with diversity and equity in mind
Eligible Countries:
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Diabetes UK
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane London E1 1FH
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Oct 31, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
$721,274
Affiliation: Diabetes UK
Address: Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane London E1 1FH
Website URL: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/our-research/for-researchers/applying-for-funding/funding-schemes/rdl
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.