Clinical trials help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diabetes. Studies may evaluate new medications, insulin formulations, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, automated insulin delivery systems, behavioral programs, cell therapies, and other approaches to diabetes care.
People with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, prediabetes, or an increased risk of developing diabetes may be eligible for research studies. Healthy volunteers are also needed for some studies.
This page explains how diabetes clinical trials work, where to find studies that are recruiting, and what to consider before deciding to participate.
What is a diabetes clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study involving people. Researchers use clinical trials to determine whether new approaches to preventing, diagnosing, or treating a condition are safe and effective.
Diabetes studies may investigate:
- New insulin formulations and diabetes medications
- Continuous glucose monitors and blood glucose monitoring systems
- Insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery systems
- Ways to prevent or delay type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Immune therapies intended to slow the progression of type 1 diabetes
- Islet cell and stem-cell-derived replacement therapies
- Nutrition, exercise, weight management, and behavioral interventions
- Prevention and treatment of diabetes complications
- Ways to improve quality of life and diabetes self-management
Clinical trials are only one part of clinical research. Some studies are observational and collect information without assigning participants to a treatment.
What are the phases of a clinical trial?
Clinical trials of medications and other treatments often progress through several phases. Not every diabetes study follows this exact structure, particularly studies involving medical devices or behavioral interventions.
- Phase 1: Usually involves a relatively small number of participants and focuses primarily on safety, dosage, and side effects.
- Phase 2: Studies whether a treatment appears to work while continuing to evaluate safety and appropriate dosing.
- Phase 3: Usually involves larger groups and compares the new treatment with existing treatment, a placebo, or another approach. These studies provide much of the evidence used when regulators consider approval.
- Phase 4: Takes place after a treatment has been approved and may evaluate long-term effectiveness, safety, side effects, or use in larger populations.
Medical device trials may use different study designs and regulatory pathways.
Where can I find diabetes clinical trials?
ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov is the largest public database of clinical research studies and is maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It includes studies conducted in the United States and many other countries.
You can search by condition, treatment, location, age, study phase, sponsor, and recruitment status. If you are looking for a study you may be able to join, select Recruiting or Not yet recruiting under study status.
Useful searches include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Automated insulin delivery
- Insulin pump
- Diabetic kidney disease
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Diabetic retinopathy
Important: A study being listed on ClinicalTrials.gov does not mean that the U.S. government has reviewed or endorsed the study’s safety or scientific quality. Study sponsors and investigators are responsible for the information they submit. Discuss the possible risks and benefits with your health care professional before participating.
NIDDK Diabetes Clinical Trials
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports diabetes research. Its clinical-trial resources provide information about type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes research and links to studies that are recruiting participants.
CenterWatch
CenterWatch provides searchable clinical trial listings and information for people considering participation in research. Studies can be searched by disease, location, and other criteria.
Mayo Clinic Endocrinology Clinical Trials
Mayo Clinic lists open endocrinology studies at its research locations. The site allows visitors to review current studies and filter them by location and status.
Where can I find type 1 diabetes clinical trials?
Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet
TrialNet is an international network of researchers studying how type 1 diabetes develops and how it might be prevented or slowed.
TrialNet is particularly useful for:
- Relatives of people with type 1 diabetes
- People who have tested positive for type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies
- People with early-stage type 1 diabetes
- People who have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
TrialNet’s Pathway to Prevention program provides free type 1 diabetes risk screening for eligible relatives of people with type 1 diabetes and certain people who have previously tested positive for type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies.
People who show signs of early-stage type 1 diabetes may qualify for monitoring or prevention studies.
Breakthrough T1D Clinical Trials
Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, provides information about type 1 diabetes clinical trials and tools to help people find studies for which they may be eligible.
Research areas include disease-modifying treatments, cell replacement therapies, diabetes technology, complications, and virtual clinical trials.
How do I know whether I qualify for a clinical trial?
Every clinical trial has specific eligibility requirements called inclusion and exclusion criteria. These requirements help researchers select participants for whom the study is appropriate and help protect participant safety.
Eligibility may depend on factors such as:
- Age
- Type of diabetes
- How long you have had diabetes
- A1C or glucose levels
- Insulin use or other medications
- Use of a CGM or insulin pump
- Kidney, heart, eye, or other health conditions
- Pregnancy or plans for pregnancy
- Previous treatments
- Laboratory test results
- Where you live and your ability to attend study visits
Meeting the basic criteria listed online does not guarantee enrollment. The research team will usually conduct additional screening before determining whether you qualify.
What should I ask before joining a clinical trial?
Before you agree to participate, the study team should explain the research in detail through a process called informed consent. You should have an opportunity to ask questions and enough time to decide whether participation is right for you.
Important questions include:
- What is the purpose of this study?
- Why do researchers think the treatment or device may work?
- What treatment or intervention might I receive?
- Is there a placebo or comparison group?
- Will I know which treatment I receive?
- What are the known and possible risks?
- What benefits might I receive?
- How many clinic visits are required?
- How long will the study last?
- Will I need extra blood tests, imaging, or procedures?
- How will participation affect my usual diabetes treatment?
- Who will manage my diabetes during the study?
- Who pays for study-related treatment and testing?
- Will my insurance be billed for anything?
- Will I be reimbursed for travel, parking, or other expenses?
- Is compensation provided for my time?
- What happens if I experience a study-related injury?
- How will my personal and medical information be protected?
- Will I receive my individual test results?
- Will participants be told the overall results when the study is finished?
- Whom should I contact if I have a problem or question?
What are the possible benefits and risks of joining a clinical trial?
People participate in diabetes research for many reasons. Some hope to gain access to a new treatment or technology. Others want closer monitoring or want to contribute to research that may help people with diabetes in the future.
Possible benefits may include:
- Access to an investigational treatment or technology
- Additional medical monitoring during the study
- Learning more about your diabetes or health
- Helping researchers improve future diabetes care
However, clinical trials also involve uncertainty. The treatment may not work, may work less well than standard treatment, or may cause unexpected side effects. Participation can also require additional appointments, tests, record keeping, travel, or changes to your usual routine.
Researchers are required to explain reasonably foreseeable risks before you agree to participate.
Could I receive a placebo?
Some clinical trials compare an investigational treatment with a placebo, while others compare it with an existing treatment or standard care.
Whether a placebo is used depends on the study design and what is considered medically and ethically appropriate. In diabetes research, investigators generally do not withhold treatment that is necessary for safety, such as insulin from a person with type 1 diabetes.
The informed consent document should clearly explain whether you could receive a placebo and what diabetes treatment you will continue during the study.
Can I leave a clinical trial after I join?
Yes. Participation in clinical research is voluntary. You may decide not to join, and you can withdraw from a study after joining without penalty.
If you decide to leave, tell the research team so they can help you stop the study safely and explain whether any follow-up testing is recommended.
Do clinical trials cost money, or will I be paid?
This varies by study.
Research-related medications, devices, tests, and visits are often provided at no cost to participants, but routine medical care may still be billed to you or your insurance. Some studies reimburse expenses such as mileage, transportation, parking, meals, or lodging.
Some studies also compensate participants for the time and inconvenience involved in participation.
Ask the study team exactly what the study pays for, what your insurance may be billed for, and what compensation or reimbursement is available before enrolling.
Are there diabetes clinical trials near San Diego?
San Diego County has a large clinical research community, including university, hospital, private research, and industry-sponsored studies.
Headlands Research Escondido
Formerly known as AMCR Institute, Headlands Research Escondido conducts metabolic and diabetes research in the San Diego area. Its research includes studies involving type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity and weight management, cardiovascular risk, diabetes devices, and other metabolic conditions.
People in the San Diego area can also search ClinicalTrials.gov by entering a city, ZIP code, or other location and selecting studies that are recruiting.
Where can I learn more before deciding to participate?
American Diabetes Association Clinical Trials
The American Diabetes Association explains how clinical research works, possible benefits and risks, informed consent, compensation, and questions to consider before participating.
ClinicalTrials.gov: Learn About Studies
Explains study design, eligibility, informed consent, participant safety, and other basics of clinical research.
NIDDK Clinical Trials for Diabetes
Provides information specifically about diabetes research and links to studies involving type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
How does DiabetesNet select clinical trial resources?
DiabetesNet links primarily to established government research databases, major nonprofit diabetes organizations, academic research networks, and experienced clinical research centers.
Listing a research organization or clinical trial resource on DiabetesNet does not mean that DiabetesNet endorses a particular study, investigator, treatment, medication, or device.
Clinical trials involve potential benefits and risks. Review the informed consent information carefully, ask questions, and consider discussing participation with a health care professional who knows your medical history before enrolling.
Last Updated on October 7, 2026