Background
In January 2005, the NIDDK convened an ad hoc planning and evaluation meeting of external scientific and lay experts in type 1 diabetes to perform a mid-course assessment of many currently funded type 1 diabetes research programs, and to identify future research opportunities within this context. One of the recommendations emanating from this meeting was to initiate a much broader review of the entire state-of-the-science with respect to type 1 diabetes, including recent research advances and emerging opportunities.
In response to this recommendation, the NIDDK Director announced in March 2005 that the statutory Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee (DMICC), chaired by the NIDDK, would spearhead new type 1 diabetes research strategic planning effort. The membership of this Committee includes all NIH components involved in diabetes research, as well as other relevant federal agencies.
| The purpose of this Strategic Plan is to serve as a scientific guidepost to the NIH and to the investigative and lay communities by identifying compelling research opportunities that will inform the priority-setting process for the type 1 diabetes research field and propel research progress on the understanding, prevention, treatment, and cure of type 1 diabetes and its complications. |
Organization
Based on the same general content, two versions of the Strategic Plan have been developed for: (1) patients, their family members, and the public, and (2) the scientific research community. While tailored to different readers, both versions highlight key recent scientific advances that have accelerated research and/or benefited patients' health, and identify the most compelling opportunities and objectives for research. Both versions also contain a summary of major research objectives.
The chapters have been organized around six overarching goals of type 1 diabetes research:
- Goal I: Identify the Genetic and Environmental Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
- Goal II: Prevent or Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
- Goal III: Develop Cell Replacement Therapy
- Goal IV: Prevent or Reduce Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
- Goal V: Prevent or Reduce the Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
- Goal VI: Attract New Talent and Apply New Technologies to Research on Type 1 Diabetes
Collaborative Planning Process
The Strategic Plan was developed with broad input from a diverse and talented group of researchers and lay experts dedicated to advancing type 1 diabetes research. Participants included representatives from the NIH and other Federal agencies represented on the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee, forty scientific researchers external to the NIH, lay persons representing patients’ interests, and representatives from diabetes voluntary organizations. The draft Strategic Plan was posted on this website from January 3 through February 6, 2006, to invite scientific and public comment. The Plan was revised based on input from this public comment period before its release in July 2006. The DMICC greatly appreciates the input received on drafts of the Strategic Plan.
