Children’s Congress FAQ for Applicants

  1. When does the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress application open?
    The Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress online application opens September 4, 2024. For more information, visit cc.breakthrought1d.org and follow Breakthrough T1D Advocacy on social media.                                                                                                                                
  2. When is the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress application due?
    Applicants must submit their Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress application by 11:59 PM HST on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Applications will not be accepted following the deadline.

  3. When and where will Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress be held?
    Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress will be held in downtown Washington, D.C., July 7 – 9, 2025, at the JW Marriott located at 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.

  4. When and how will an applicant learn if they have been selected as a Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Delegate?
    Those selected to serve as a Delegate will be mailed a notification letter, and those not selected will receive an update via email. All applicants can expect to receive a notification no later than the beginning of February.

  5. What is the Breakthrough T1D Volunteer Selection Committee looking for in applicants to Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress?
    The Breakthrough T1D Volunteer Selection Committee is looking for a cross-section of youth living with type 1 diabetes across the country who are highly engaged in the many facets of Breakthrough T1D, with an emphasis on advocacy involvement. Delegates (or a parent or guardian in the case of young children) must be willing to share their compelling story about life with T1D and their interest in Breakthrough T1D’s mission of creating a world without type 1 diabetes. T1D youth ages 4 – 17 (at the time of the event) are eligible to apply. Please also note, with the exception of very young applicants, it is expected that the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress application be completed by the child and not by a parent or guardian.

  6. While completing my application for Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress, will I be able to save it and resume at a later date?
    Yes! Simply click the ‘Save for Later’ button at the bottom of the application, enter your email address, and click ‘Save,’ then a link will be emailed to you allowing you to access your application draft. Applications for Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress must be submitted by Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM HST. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

  7. I am trying to submit my application to Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress and I can’t – why?
    • Each question with an asterisk (*) next to it is mandatory and requires a response before clicking the ‘submit’ button
    • If you will be either under the age of four, or over the age of 17 by July 7, 2024, we cannot consider your application. If you are within this age range, please make sure that you have entered your correct birthdate.
    • Check that you have not mistakenly marked ‘yes’ on the ‘Have you ever been selected as a Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Delegate before?’ question, because past Delegates cannot apply or attend the event again.
    • Make sure your ‘Letter to Congress,’ is saved as a PDF, and if not, take steps to do so then upload it and try to submit again.
    • Some mobile devices do not allow you to upload attachments, which are a requirement of this application process
    • Make sure you have initialed each of the listed waiver consent items located at the end of the application.
    • If you are still unable to submit your application, please email Breakthrough T1D Advocacy at: childrenscongress@breakthrought1d.org.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  8. Will Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress applications be considered if they are incomplete?
    Unfortunately, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please complete all requested
    components and submit your application no later than 11:59 PM HST, on Sunday, December 8, 2024. If you would like to add something or edit your application after submitting it, please email Breakthrough T1D Advocacy at childrenscongress@breakthrought1d.org with your revisions or additions prior to the December 8 deadline.

  9. Can I submit letters of reference or other items with my application?
    No. All unrequested information submitted with the application (including letters of reference) will not be considered and may not be kept. All information sent with the application becomes the property of Breakthrough T1D Advocacy, per the waiver consent items that each applicant / family must sign and initial upon submission of an application.

  10. Can my child be a Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Delegate if I pay for our expenses?
    No. A spot at Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress cannot be purchased. Space at each Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress event is very limited and is reserved only for those selected as Delegates. Breakthrough T1D will cover the travel costs of the Delegate and one parent or guardian of the Delegate. Another parent or guardian can attend Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, but it will be at their own expense. Only one parent or guardian is allowed to attend each sub-event, with the exception of our Town Hall that both parents or guardians can attend. Breakthrough T1D staff will issue and closely verify credentials at each sub-event to ensure only one parent or guardian is present at that sub-event.

  11. What are the chances of being selected as a Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Delegate?
    For each biennial event, Breakthrough T1D receives around 1,000 applications for Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, while approximately 160 applicants will be selected as Delegates. Many will apply more than once before being selected as a Delegate. Applicants who are not selected for Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress are encouraged to advocate on behalf of Breakthrough T1D back in their home state through the Breakthrough T1D ‘Together We Can’ campaign (formerly ‘Promise to Remember Me’) or ‘New Member Outreach Initiative’ and other advocacy efforts, such as the Breakthrough T1D ‘Youth Advocacy Leader’ (YAL) Program. ‘Together We Can’ is extremely important to Breakthrough T1D’s legislative successes and gives everyone an opportunity to help while showing a commitment to Breakthrough T1D Advocacy’s mission the next time they apply for Children’s Congress. If your child is not chosen, please do not feel disheartened as this is a very competitive and selective process. Please consider applying again to attend Breakthrough T1D 2027 Children’s Congress and participate in Breakthrough T1D Walks, Galas, Summits, Rides, and other community events.

  12. What is the role of a Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress Delegate?
    Delegates and one parent or guardian must attend Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress from July 7 – 9, 2025. Delegates will be asked to make local media appearances, complete tasks relating to Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress before, during, and after the event, interact with other Delegates and celebrity T1D role models, visit Capitol Hill to meet with national lawmakers and staff, and spread Breakthrough T1D’s mission of creating a world without type 1 diabetes.

  13. Will Delegates have responsibilities once Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress is completed?
    Yes. Delegates should stay engaged with Breakthrough T1D Advocacy by participating in Breakthrough T1D ‘Together We Can’ campaign (formerly ‘Promise to Remember Me’) or ‘New Member Outreach Initiative’ meetings and other local Breakthrough T1D Chapter events. Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress is a competitive program and those selected as Delegates should view their time as their Breakthrough T1D Chapter’s Delegate as a platform for recruiting new advocates, spreading Breakthrough T1D Advocacy’s mission, and getting their community involved in communicating with their Members of Congress.

  14. What can adults living with type 1 diabetes do for Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress?
    Most importantly, you should sign-up to be a Breakthrough T1D Advocate so you stay connected with the Breakthrough T1D Advocacy team and have the tools necessary to help spread the word about Breakthrough T1D Advocacy within your networks. Additionally, please get involved in your local communities to raise awareness about T1D and engage in Breakthrough T1D Advocacy efforts at your Breakthrough T1D Chapter (ask your Chapter contact to introduce you to your local Advocacy Team Chair!). Also, the biennial Breakthrough T1D ‘Together We Can’ campaign (formerly ‘Promise to Remember Me’) and ‘New Member Outreach Initiative’ are great ways to tell your personal T1D story to your Federal legislators and actively advocate for type 1 diabetes at home, in your local Congressional District.

    Adults ages 18 – 28 who are deeply engaged in our work and have a passion for advocacy are encouraged to apply to join the Young Adult Advocacy Council (YAAC)! The YAAC is a group of young adults who are business professionals, community leaders, and engaged students. These up- and-comers actively support the advancement of Breakthrough T1D’s advocacy priority areas, spread awareness of T1D within their communities, and inspire youth to use their voices and share their stories with key decision makers. Through their involvement, they drive meaningful progress on our path to cures for T1D. The YAAC application is open annually from September through October and can be accessed at breakthrought1d.org/advocacy/yaac.