ADA Overhaul: New Governance Rules and Stable Funding May Shape Diabetes Research
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) finished an independent audit of the June 5 incident at its 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans and is moving forward with governance changes. Congress approved a Continuing Resolution that keeps federal research money steady through December 11, 2026 [3].
Key takeaways
- An independent Audit and Governance Committee (AGC) concluded that five attendees were removed for conduct that broke the ADA’s attendee code of conduct [2].
- The ADA Board said the AGC’s initial findings did not yet include all interviews and that more details will be shared later [1].
- Security staff acted appropriately during the disruption, and there is no proof the ADA called the New Orleans Police Department [2].
- Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that holds current federal funding for diabetes research and prevention programs at $2.3 billion for NIDDK, $163 million for CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, $54.3 million for CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, and $37.3 million for the National Diabetes Prevention Program [3].
- The Continuing Resolution also delays a new Office of Management and Budget rule on federal grantmaking until after the funding period ends [3].
What the audit found
On June 5, 2026, five participants were asked to leave the event [2]. The AGC’s final report says the removals were due to behavior that disrupted the meeting and violated the ADA’s attendee code of conduct [2]. The material the protesters handed out was unrelated to the reasons for their removal [2]. Security personnel on site responded correctly to the disturbance, and the report found no evidence that anyone from the ADA called the New Orleans Police Department [2]. The report notes that some individuals wearing police uniforms were actually contracted security staff, not city officers [2].
The Board of Directors has already reviewed the AGC’s initial findings but said those early results did not include the full range of interviews conducted after the report was drafted [1]. The Board expects additional findings that could clarify or correct earlier information [1]. Chair James Tai thanked the AGC members for their “considerable, ongoing work” and said the Board looks forward to further insights [1].
Federal funding stays steady
On September 1, 2026, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that keeps federal money for diabetes research and prevention at current levels until December 11 [3]. The resolution locks in $2.3 billion for the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), $163 million for the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, $54.3 million for the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, and $37.3 million for the National Diabetes Prevention Program [3]. By preserving the “merit‑based, peer‑reviewed framework” for grants, the ADA says the resolution protects the quality and fairness of funding decisions [3]. The Continuing Resolution also pauses the Office of Management and Budget’s Interim Final Rule on federal grantmaking, meaning no new administrative changes will affect grant awards during this period [3].
What remains uncertain
The Board has not yet released the additional findings the AGC promised, so the final scope of governance reforms is still unknown [1].
Bottom line: The ADA’s audit confirmed that five participants were removed for code‑of‑conduct violations, and the Board is awaiting a more complete report that may drive new governance rules [2][1]. At the same time, Congress has locked in current federal funding for diabetes research and prevention through the end of the year, delaying new grantmaking rules [3].
