Senior Research Awards

The Senior Research Awards from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation aim to support established researchers in generating preliminary data that will enhance their competitiveness for major funding sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program reflects the Foundation's commitment to advancing medical research focused on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two primary forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Founded as a nonprofit organization, the Foundation promotes scientific discovery, precision medicine, and improved care for individuals affected by IBD. The purpose of the Senior Research Awards is to fund high-quality, innovative research relevant to IBD. The award is intended for independent researchers who have completed their training and are positioned to lead research initiatives. Awards may span one to three years, with up to $130,000 available per year, inclusive of direct and indirect costs. Direct costs can total up to $118,182 annually, while indirect costs are capped at 10% of direct costs, or $11,818. Funding may be used to convert biosamples into molecular data through IBD Plexus central reference labs, provided researchers share resulting raw data. Eligible applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree and be employed by a public or private nonprofit or government institution engaged in healthcare or related research. Applicants must be independent of their mentors and may only submit one application per cycle. Projects must focus on Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis. Simultaneous submission of a Senior Research Award and a Training Award is prohibited. Access to IBD Plexus is included in this funding opportunity. IBD Plexus is a Foundation initiative that hosts a biobank and large-scale datasets, including clinical, genetic, and patient-reported data, designed to support precision medicine. Applicants may request biosamples or datasets at no cost as part of their proposed project, furthering collaboration and data-sharing within the IBD research community. The application process begins with a pre-application, due by December 2, 2025, following the portal’s opening on October 4, 2025. Invited full applications are due January 22, 2026. Reviews occur between April and May, with award decisions announced in June. Submissions are handled via Proposal Central, and researchers must adhere to instructions and policies found there. For questions regarding the Senior Research Awards, applicants may contact Saleha Hossain or use the Foundation’s post-award email address. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation encourages researchers to carefully review all submission guidelines and use agreements related to IBD Plexus before applying. This program is expected to recur annually based on past application cycles, positioning it as a reliable funding avenue for continued IBD research.

Ensure project relevance to IBD and plan for data contribution back to IBD Plexus; follow instructions on Proposal Central closely.