[Crohn's and Colitis Foundation](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org)

December 2, 2025 (Pre-Application) | January 22, 2026 (Full Proposal)

Up to $102,500/year (salary, fringe, and research expenses); maximum 3 years

Mentored awards supporting early-career researchers in IBD to develop independent research careers, with training, mentorship, and access to unique data and biosamples.

Access to IBD Plexus data/biosamples available at no cost for funded projects; 65% effort required.

--- ## Description The Career Development Awards from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation are designed to support promising early-career researchers (MDs, PhDs, or equivalent) as they transition to independent research careers focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These mentored awards provide structured training and career development, with a strong emphasis on scientific innovation, mentorship, and a comprehensive research plan. Awardees benefit from access to the IBD Plexus platform, which provides extensive biosamples and research-ready datasets to accelerate discovery and precision medicine in IBD. The program aims to foster the next generation of leaders in IBD research. --- ## Due Dates - **December 2, 2025:** Pre-Application deadline (11:59pm EST) - **January 22, 2026:** Full proposal deadline (by invitation; 11:59pm EST) All applicants must first submit a pre-application; full proposals are by invitation only after pre-application review. --- ## Funding Amount - **Award amount:** Up to $102,500 per year (including salary up to $60,000, fringe benefits up to $15,000, and research expenses up to $27,500) - **Duration:** 1 to 3 years (renewal each year contingent on satisfactory progress) - **Allowable expenses:** Salary, fringe, tuition (e.g., MPH), statistical support, travel, professional memberships, and research supplies. Funds for non-salary/fringe expenses may not be used to supplement salary/fringe. - **Institutional supplement:** Allowed for salary; indirect costs are not permitted. --- ## Eligibility - **Degree:** MD and/or PhD (or equivalent terminal degree) - **Experience:** - MDs: At least 3 years post-doctoral experience, with 2 years of IBD-relevant research - PhDs: At least 2 years of post-doctoral IBD-relevant research - **Employment:** Must be employed at a U.S.-based institution (public/private non-profit or government) engaged in health research - **Citizenship:** Not restricted, but proof of legal work status in the U.S. is required - **Mentorship:** Must identify a senior investigator as mentor; a detailed career development and mentorship plan is required - **Research focus:** Project must be directly relevant to IBD (Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis) - **Effort:** Minimum 65% professional time must be devoted to the project - **Other restrictions:** - Not eligible if already well-established in IBD research - Only one application per applicant per cycle - Cannot simultaneously apply for a Senior Research Award or Training Award Special consideration is given to applicants whose career trajectories have been impacted by personal circumstances or the COVID-19 pandemic. --- ## Application Process 1. **Pre-Application:** Complete and submit via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=96) by the pre-application deadline. - Includes project title, research priority, disease/research type, eligibility quiz, career development plan overview, and mentor information. 2. **Invitation for Full Proposal:** Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. 3. **Full Proposal:** Requires detailed research plan, budget, career development plan, mentor letter, institutional support letter, and relevant approvals. 4. **Review:** Proposals are peer-reviewed for scientific merit, relevance to IBD, investigator qualifications, and innovation. 5. **Award Notification:** Decisions announced in June; earliest project start date is July. See [application instructions](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Career%20Development%20Award%20RFP%202023%20Rev%2010212024.pdf) for detailed requirements. --- ## Additional Information - **IBD Plexus:** Awardees may access IBD Plexus biosamples and datasets at no cost. Contact the IBD Plexus team at least 1 month prior to submission to confirm availability and feasibility. - **Reporting:** Annual scientific and financial progress reports required; continued funding contingent on satisfactory progress. - **Travel:** Budget for travel to the Crohn's & Colitis Congress (years 1 and 3) and Foundation Researcher Symposium (year 2) is required. - **No-cost extensions, transfers, and other post-award policies** are available; see [post-award policies](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/research-funding-opportunities/post-award-policies). --- ## External Links - [Program page: Career Development Awards](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/grants-fellowships/career-development-awards) - [Funder homepage](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org) - [Application portal (ProposalCentral)](https://proposalcentral.com/GrantOpportunities.asp?GMID=96) - [IBD Plexus information](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/plexus) - [IBD Plexus Academic RFP](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/plexus/academic-request-for-proposal) - [Application instructions (PDF)](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Career%20Development%20Award%20RFP%202023%20Rev%2010212024.pdf) - [Post-award policies](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/research-funding-opportunities/post-award-policies) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | General/application questions | [training_awards@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:training_awards@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | Post-award management | [postaward@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:postaward@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | IBD Plexus data/biosample access | [ibdplexusrfp@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:ibdplexusrfp@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | Funder phone | +1 800-932-2423 | | Funder contact form | [Contact page](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/contact) |

Career Development Awards

Sign in to see full grant listing