Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Liana's Dream Foundation (LDF)

Liana's Dream Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated exclusively to funding research for a cure for type 1 diabetes. Unlike many research charities that focus on management improvements through better insulin, needles, or pumps, LDF's singular mission is to find a definitive treatment and cure for type 1 diabetes. The foundation invests in both fundamental science and clinical trials conducted by researchers worldwide.

The foundation supports research projects primarily in the field of type 1 diabetes cure research. It funds researchers and institutions in Canada, the United States, and internationally, focusing on collaborative global efforts. Target recipients include leading diabetes researchers at institutions such as McGill University, the Miami Diabetes Research Institute, and other prominent research centers.

Liana's Dream Foundation emphasizes transparency and accountability to its donors. The organization provides detailed breakdowns of funds collected and dispersed, listing specific grant amounts to individual researchers and institutions. As of the latest reporting, the foundation has distributed over $2.6 million in total funds to diabetes research.

Founded in 2013 by Franco Cianci and Caterina Monticciolo after their daughter Liana was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011, the foundation has grown from a family initiative to a registered Canadian charity. The organization is based in downtown Montreal at 1059 Rue de la Montagne, Suite 260.

Researchers can submit their proposals directly to the foundation's chief researcher, Dr. Emidio De Carolis, for consideration. The foundation accepts research proposals that align with its mission of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.