2026-2027 Patient Partner Circles Application

Apply to join a Patient Partner Circle

Diabetes Action Canada’s Patient Partner Circles are paid advisory groups for people living in Canada with lived or loved experience of diabetes. Members share advice, ideas, questions, and feedback to help shape diabetes research, resources, communications, and patient engagement.

You do not need research experience, a professional title, or previous experience with Diabetes Action Canada. We are looking for people who care about improving diabetes work and who want to take part in respectful, collaborative conversations.

Who can apply 

• You currently live in Canada.
• You have lived experience of diabetes, loved experience supporting someone with diabetes, or both.
• You can participate in virtual meetings during the year, with accommodations or support where needed.
• You are interested in listening, sharing your own perspective, and working with people who may have different experiences or ideas.

The three Patient Partner Circles 

Collective Patient Circle: a national Circle for Patient Partners across Canada with different diabetes experiences, regions, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Indigenous Patient Circle: a dedicated space for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and other Indigenous Patient Partners living in Canada. This Circle is co-run with the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle.

Francophone Patient Circle: a dedicated space for Francophone Patient Partners who can participate in meetings and review materials in French.

Time and compensation 

• Most meetings take place online and last 60 to 90 minutes.
• The Collective Patient Circle is expected to meet about 6 to 8 times per year.
• The Indigenous and Francophone Patient Circles are expected to meet about 4 to 6 times per year.
• Circle members receive $95 per meeting. This includes meeting time, preparation, and routine document review.
• Co-Chairs receive $195 per meeting. This includes meeting time, preparation, agenda planning, meeting leadership, and follow-up connected to the role.
• Additional work outside regular Circle meetings will be discussed and compensated separately.
  

Strong applicants will show that they:

• Bring lived or loved experience of diabetes that connects to the Circle they are applying to
• Understand that Circle members give advice and feedback rather than make final organizational decisions
• Have a clear reason for wanting to join
• Can bring their own experience without claiming to speak for an entire community
• Are open to listening, learning, and working with people who have different ideas
• Can meet the expected time commitment, with reasonable accommodations where needed

Key dates