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

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

Up to $250,000/year (total costs, incl. 10% indirects) for up to 3 years; maximum total $750,000.

Supports impactful clinical research in IBD designed to directly advance patient care and inform clinical practice guidelines.

Pre-application required; only invited applicants may submit full proposals.

--- ## Description The Clinical Research Investigator-Initiated Awards (CRIA) from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation fund high-impact clinical research projects focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The program aims to answer significant clinical questions by supporting studies that involve direct patient interaction or utilize large data sets (e.g., claims or administrative data), with an expectation that funded work will lead to influential publications, inform clinical guidelines, and catalyze further research funding. CRIA encompasses two mechanisms: - **Career Development Awards (CDA):** For junior faculty (Instructor or Assistant Professor, before an independent R01 or equivalent), supporting career growth in IBD research. - **Senior Research Awards (SRA):** For established investigators (minimum Assistant Professor) with a proven track record in clinical research. Projects aligning with the Foundation’s research priorities, as outlined in the *Challenges in IBD Research*, are strongly encouraged. Applications outside these priorities must provide a compelling clinical rationale. --- ## Due Dates - **Pre-Application Deadline:** December 2, 2025 (11:59pm EST) - **Full Proposal Deadline (by invitation):** January 22, 2026 (11:59pm EST) Applicants must submit a pre-application. Only those invited may submit a full proposal. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum budget:** $250,000 per year (total costs, including up to 10% indirect costs) - **Duration:** Up to 3 years (maximum total $750,000) - **Salary caps:** Senior PI salary must not exceed NIH salary cap; junior PI salary support capped at $100,000/year (fringe up to 30% of salary) - **Effort requirements:** - CRIA-CDA recipients: ≥35% effort on project; clinical duties ≤40% - CRIA-SRA lead PI: ≥10% effort; junior co-PI (if applicable): ≥25% effort Continued funding is contingent on achieving agreed milestones, with annual progress and financial reporting required. --- ## Eligibility - **Institutions:** Public or private non-profit, or government institutions engaged in health/biomedical research. For this cycle, only US-based institutions may apply as the primary applicant; subcontracts may be international. - **Principal Investigator:** - **CRIA-CDA:** Junior faculty (Instructor/Assistant Professor, pre-R01 or equivalent), ≤10 years from doctoral degree (flexibility for career interruptions). - **CRIA-SRA:** Faculty at least at Assistant Professor level, with a strong clinical research record. - **Co-Investigators:** Must be at eligible institutions; for SRA, junior co-PI is encouraged but not required. - **Other:** Only one proposal per PI per cycle. Cannot apply for both CDA and SRA in same cycle. No concurrent Foundation CDAs or SRAs allowed. --- ## Application Process - **Submission portal:** All applications must be submitted electronically via [proposalCENTRAL](https://proposalcentral.com/default.asp). - **Step 1:** Submit a detailed pre-application form by December 2, 2025. - Blinded review; must address alignment with Foundation priorities, feasibility, and eligibility. - **Step 2:** If invited, submit a full proposal by January 22, 2026. - Includes research plan, budget, biosketches, institutional letters, patient/caregiver involvement, and other required documents. - **Review:** Peer review by Foundation’s clinical research committee. - **Progress reports:** Annual scientific and financial reports required; monthly progress calls with Foundation staff. See the [full RFP guidelines (PDF)](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/CRIA%20revised%20RFP%20April%202023%20Rev%2010212024.pdf) for detailed instructions. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must directly impact patient care; translational studies primarily focused on biomarker discovery are not eligible. - Patient or caregiver participation in the research team is required, with a letter assessing feasibility. - Institutional support (e.g., protected research time) strengthens applications. - Travel funds should be budgeted for the annual Crohn’s & Colitis Congress and the Foundation’s Investigator Symposium (year 2). --- ## External Links - [Program page & guidelines](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/grants-fellowships/clinical-research-investigator-initiated-awards) - [proposalCENTRAL submission portal](https://proposalcentral.com/default.asp) - [Foundation research funding overview](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/grants-fellowships) - [Challenges in IBD Research priorities](https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal/issue/30/Supplement_2?login=false) - [Full RFP and application instructions (PDF)](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/CRIA%20revised%20RFP%20April%202023%20Rev%2010212024.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Pre- and post-award management | [CRIA@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:CRIA@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | General program/grant questions | [grant@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:grant@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | Foundation main contact | [info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org](mailto:info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org) | | Phone | +1 800-932-2423 | | Contact form | [Foundation Contact Page](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/contact) |

Clinical Research Investigator-Initiated Awards

Sign in to see full grant listing