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Research to Action Fellowship

Transforming Research Into
Meaningful Change

The Research to Action Fellowship empowers patient partners to turn research into action, driving real-world impact in diabetes care. Fellows work in pairs, collaborating with leading organizations to bring research beyond the page—creating practical, community-driven solutions that make a difference.

2025 Fellowship Application

Apply Now!

  • We are looking for individuals who:

    • Have lived or loved experience with diabetes and want to make a difference in their communities.
    • Are passionate about advocacy, research, and knowledge-sharing, even if they have never formally participated in these activities.
    • Are eager to collaborate with partner organizations to develop real-world solutions that improve diabetes care, awareness, and policy.
    • Are open to learning new skills, receiving feedback, and participating in a structured fellowship experience with mentorship and peer support.
    • Can commit 10-15 hours per month from May 2025 to January 2026.

    We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

  • A strong application clearly demonstrates:

    • Thoughtful and descriptive responses. While we do not evaluate grammar or writing style, we encourage applicants to provide detailed answers about their motivation, experiences, and past leadership roles—even those unrelated to diabetes.
    • Passion for making a difference. A commitment to improving diabetes research, policy, or education.
    • Openness to learning & teamwork. Willingness to gain new skills, take feedback, and collaborate.
    • Clear communication. Ability to share ideas and make research accessible to different audiences.
    • Commitment to completing a project. Meeting deadlines and working with a partner organization.

  • Fellows will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and project-based learning in:

    • Mentorship & Support – Ongoing office hours with past fellows and guidance from Diabetes Action Canada leaders.
    • Knowledge Mobilization & Research Translation – Learning how to turn research into real-world impact.
    • Science Communication & Public Speaking – Developing confidence in sharing findings in accessible ways.
    • Social Media Advocacy & Community Engagement – Strategies to connect with broader audiences.
    • Leadership & Team Dynamics – Strengthening skills for working collaboratively in advocacy and research.
    • Policy & Legislative Impact – Understanding how research informs healthcare policies.
    • Academic Conferences & Dissemination – Preparing for knowledge-sharing events and opportunities.

    Fellows will also work in teams with a Partner Organization to co-create a knowledge mobilization product that addresses diabetes care, awareness, or policy challenges.

  • Each year, fellows work on research-informed projects to address critical gaps in diabetes care, awareness, and advocacy. The 2025 themes include:

    • Cell Therapy 101: Bridging the Gap Between Research and the Diabetes Community
    • Women’s Health and Diabetes: A Resource for Every Life Stage
    • Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Looped Systems
    • Advocacy for the Right Diabetes Diagnosis: A Tool for Black & Brown Communities
    • Diabetes Stigma: Challenging Misconceptions & Bias
    Read the Full Project Descriptions

  • By applying, you agree to participate in the following key fellowship events:

    • Kickoff Call: Monday, May 5, 2025, 6:00–7:30 PM EST (Virtual)
    • NIDA Conference: May 7-9, 2025 (Edmonton, AB) – In-person event to launch the fellowship and engage with Indigenous health leaders.
    • Biweekly Fellowship Meetings: Throughout the program (Virtual)
    • Diabetes Canada Conference: November 19-22, 2025 (Toronto, ON) – Fellows will present their progress in a panel discussion, and knowledge mobilization products will be showcased.
    • Program Completion & Wrap-up: January 22, 2026 –  Fellows will refine their projects and submit a 12-month dissemination plan.

    Participation in these events is a key part of the fellowship experience. Fellows should ensure they can attend before applying.

  • Each fellow will:

    • Co-design and develop a knowledge mobilization product that translates diabetes research into an accessible resource.
    • Identify relevant research and evidence with support from Diabetes Action Canada and their Partner Organization.
    • Work with their teammate and Partner Organization to create a 12-month dissemination plan to ensure their project reaches the intended audience throughout 2026.
    Explore the 2024 projects for examples. 
    • Each fellow will receive a $3,500 stipend for their contributions.
    • Travel, accommodation, and event costs for mandatory conferences will be covered.
    • Fellows will be featured in DAC communications and connected to broader opportunities in the diabetes research and advocacy space.

  • We use terms throughout this application that might be new to some applicants. Below are definitions to help you understand the language we use in the Research to Action Fellowship:

    • Patient Partner: An individual with lived or loved experience of a health condition who collaborates with researchers, organizations, and healthcare professionals to shape research, policy, and healthcare improvements.
    • Knowledge Mobilization (KM): The process of sharing research findings with the people and communities they impact. This includes translating research into practical tools, policies, or resources that improve healthcare.
    • Knowledge Product: A tangible outcome of knowledge mobilization. This can be a video, infographic, comic, blog series, self-advocacy tool, educational workshop, or any creative way to make research accessible and actionable.
    • Co-Design: A collaborative approach where people with lived, learned, loved, or laboured experience work together to shape research and create solutions that reflect diverse perspectives.
    • Lived, Loved, Learned, Laboured (4L) Experiences: A model that acknowledges the different ways people engage with healthcare:
      • Lived: Personal experience of a health condition.
      • Loved: Experience caring for a family member or friend with a health condition.
      • Learned: Academic or professional training related to healthcare.
      • Laboured: Working in the healthcare system, advocacy, or policy.

2025 Fellowship Information

This form is your first step towards joining the DAC Research to Action Fellowship. It’s split into four easy-to-follow sections. You’ll tell us about your background, your reasons for applying, and choose the projects you’re most excited about.

After you learn about our projects, you’ll rank them in order of your preference. If you join us, we’ll use these choices to pair you with a project and a teammate.

DEADLINE EXTENDED to Sunday, April 6th at 11:59 PST

Accessibility needs? If you have any accessibility needs or require assistance with this form, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@diabetesaction.ca. We’re committed to accommodating your needs to the best of our abilities.

If you need to see all the questions in advance or understand how we’ll evaluate your application, check out these links:

Application Questions
Project Descriptions
Evaluation Critera
2024 Project Outcomes

2025 Application Form

Language Preference(Required)

SECTION I. Eligibility and Background

1. Are you currently a patient partner with Diabetes Action Canada?
Why are we asking this? Understanding your current engagement with our network helps us create a diverse and balanced cohort. This won't affect your application evaluation.
2. Are you living in Canada, and are you able to participate in events located in Canada?
Why are we asking this? Our program includes events and activities within Canada, and we need to ensure participants can attend these.
3. Which of the following best describes your experience with diabetes? (Check all that apply)
Why are we asking this? The Research to Action Fellowship values diverse perspectives on diabetes. Understanding your experiences helps us ensure a well-rounded cohort with different viewpoints shaping the knowledge mobilization projects.
4. This fellowship requires approximately 10-15 hours per month, including two evening sessions per month (1.5 hours each) on Zoom, plus additional activities with your teammate and Partner Organization (PO). Can you commit to this time requirement?
Why are we asking this? Understanding your availability and commitment strategy ensures you can actively participate and benefit from the program.
5. The fellowship takes place primarily online. Do you have access to a stable internet connection and the necessary digital tools (Zoom, Google Docs, etc.) to fully participate?
Why are we asking this? Most fellowship activities, including meetings, mentorship, and collaboration, happen online. Reliable internet access is essential for full participation. If you foresee challenges, please let us know—limited support may be available.
6. Preferred method for receiving an honorarium:
Why are we asking this? To ensure we can process your honorarium in the most convenient way for you. This information will only be collected from selected fellows at a later stage.

SECTION II. Motivation and Goals

Why are we asking this? Knowing your motivation and interests helps us understand what you aim to achieve and how the program aligns with your goals.
Why are we asking this? We're interested in understanding your goals for personal growth and development through the fellowship.

SECTION III. Skills and Experience

Why are we asking this? Insights into your teamwork and collaboration experiences help us understand how you might contribute to and benefit from the fellowship.
Why are we asking this? Fellows will work closely with mentors and peers. Being receptive to feedback ensures a meaningful learning experience.

SECTION IV. Project Preferences

Please rank these projects from your most preferred (1) to least preferred (last). Your preferences will help us understand your interests and match you with a project that aligns with your goals and expertise.
Cell Therapy 101: Making Research Accessible
Cell therapy is advancing rapidly, yet many in the diabetes community are unaware of what it is, how it works, and what it could mean for treatment. This project will create a Cell Therapy 101 resource to explain these innovations in an accessible way and gather feedback on what information the community wants to know.
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Women’s Health & Diabetes: A Guide for Every Stage
Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause all impact diabetes, yet there are few resources to guide care during these life stages. This project will create a women’s health and diabetes toolkit, helping people adapt their diabetes management and advocate for better care.
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) 101: A Beginner’s Guide
While the DIY looping movement has transformed diabetes care, getting started can be overwhelming. Many people don’t know what AID is, how to access it, or if it’s right for them. This project will develop an AID 101 guide, breaking down how these systems work and helping newcomers make informed choices.
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Advocacy for the Right Diagnosis: A Tool for Indigenous Communities
Indigenous people are misdiagnosed with diabetes at high rates due to systemic bias and outdated diagnostic criteria. This project will develop an advocacy tool to help Indigenous individuals ask the right questions, request proper tests, and navigate the healthcare system for an accurate diagnosis. (Reserved for Indigenous fellows.)
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Diabetes Stigma: Challenging Misconceptions & Bias
Diabetes stigma affects mental health, healthcare experiences, and community support. This project will develop a resource to challenge harmful stereotypes, educate healthcare providers, and empower people with diabetes to advocate for themselves.
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.