Congress has passed bipartisan legislation to extend and strengthen the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), a cornerstone of Federal investment in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The President signed the legislation and it is now law, ensuring continued momentum toward better treatments, disease-modifying therapies, and cures.
This legislation:
- Extends the SDP through December 31, 2026, and increases funding from $160 million to $200 million annually.
- Strengthens overall funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $415 million.
- Increases diabetes research funding at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by $10 million.
These are huge wins for the T1D community – join us in thanking Congress today!
Our SDP advocacy
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) played an important role in the establishment of the SDP in 1997 and in its many renewals over the past three decades, working alongside bipartisan champions in Congress to sustain and strengthen this critical research investment. Breakthrough T1D advocates and staff engaged directly with Congress through thousands of emails and hundreds of meetings in support of renewing the SDP over the past several months.
Also, in mid-January, Breakthrough T1D convened a Capitol Hill briefing with lawmakers, Federal research leaders, scientists, and individuals living with T1D to highlight how sustained Federal investment through the SDP continues to accelerate progress across the research pipeline. The briefing underscored the importance of predictable funding in advancing emerging therapies and improving outcomes for families nationwide.
Created by Congress and administered by the NIH, the SDP has contributed nearly $3.6 billion to T1D research and has played a role in nearly every major breakthrough in the field. From advances in disease management to the approval of the first therapy shown to delay the onset of T1D, the program has consistently delivered meaningful progress for people living with the disease.
“Passage of this bipartisan SDP extension and an increase in funding is a major win for the T1D community,” said Lynn Starr, Chief Global Advocacy Officer at Breakthrough T1D. “The Special Diabetes Program has powered transformative research for more than 25 years. Increasing and extending this funding ensures that lifesaving work can continue without disruption and that we keep advancing T1D cures and therapies. We are tremendously grateful for the leadership and unwavering support of Senate Diabetes Caucus Co-chairs Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressional Diabetes Caucus Co-chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).”
SDP demonstrates significant return on investment
The value of the SDP extends beyond scientific breakthroughs.
A recent study conducted by Avalere Health shows that of the nearly 3.6 billion invested into the SDP by Congress since the establishment of the program, the Federal Government has realized $50 billion in healthcare savings through improved health outcomes from the use of SDP driven therapies and devices. This demonstrates a strong return on investment for both patients and taxpayers.
Take action
Breakthrough T1D is deeply grateful to the bipartisan champions of the SDP in Congress and to the advocates across the country whose voices helped make this extension possible. Continued Federal leadership and partnership remain essential to accelerating a future without T1D. Join us in thanking Congress for this extension!
