mlsanityData to 7 Oct 2026

Variance-Aware Adaptive Weighting for Diffusion Model Training

arXiv 2603.10391 ↗First posted 11 Mar 2026cs.LG cs.CVcited by 1

On the map: Diffusion models → Diffusion foundations and sampling

Abstract (arXiv)

Diffusion models have recently achieved remarkable success in generative modeling, yet their training dynamics across different noise levels remain highly imbalanced, which can lead to inefficient optimization and unstable learning behavior. In this work, we investigate this imbalance from the perspective of loss variance across log-SNR levels and propose a variance-aware adaptive weighting strategy to address it. The proposed approach dynamically adjusts training weights based on the observed variance distribution, encouraging a more balanced optimization process across noise levels. Extensive experiments on CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100 demonstrate that the proposed method consistently improves generative performance over standard training schemes, achieving lower Fr'echet Inception Distance (FID) while also reducing performance variance across random seeds. Additional analysis, including loss-log-SNR visualization, variance heatmaps, and ablation studies, further reveal that the adaptive weighting effectively stabilizes training dynamics. These results highlight the potential of variance-aware training strategies for improving diffusion model optimization.

Key facts. Cited by 1 paper in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Diffusion foundations and sampling, one of 14 directions in Diffusion models. Builds on 4 of its 6 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 11 Mar 2026.

Builds on

4 of 6 references.

Closest ancestors · 4

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2023Common Diffusion Noise Schedules and Sample Steps are Flawed15 May
  2. 2023Consistency Models2 Mar
  3. 2022Classifier-Free Diffusion Guidance26 Jul
  4. 2022Elucidating the Design Space of Diffusion-Based Generative Models1 Jun

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Cited by year (2026 to 7 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 1.

1 paper.

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Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2025Fast and Stable Diffusion Planning through Variational Adaptive Weighting
  2. 2024Evaluating the design space of diffusion-based generative models
  3. 2026Source-Prior-Driven Selective Adaptation for Efficient Diffusion Model Finetuning
  4. 2023Unmasking Bias in Diffusion Model Training
  5. 2023Efficient Diffusion Training via Min-SNR Weighting Strategy
  6. 2024Adaptive Non-uniform Timestep Sampling for Accelerating Diffusion Model Training
  7. 2025Efficient Weighted Sampling via Score-based Generative Models
  8. 2025Diagnosing and Improving Diffusion Models by Estimating the Optimal Loss Value