Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026 is now officially open for outline applications. This major UK-based funding opportunity supports innovative research into Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Researchers can apply for grants of up to £150,000 over three years, supporting both mainstream and innovative projects, including feasibility and pilot studies.
If you are a UK-based researcher working in IBD diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, or patient support, this is a high-impact funding opportunity not to miss.
Brief Information
- Funding body: Crohn’s & Colitis UK
- Maximum funding: £150,000
- Duration: Up to 3 years
- Deadline: 12 noon, 9 April 2026
- Application system: Flexigrant portal
- Location: United Kingdom
Key Dates & Details
- Application Deadline: 9 April 2026 (12:00 noon)
- Funding Amount: Up to £150,000 per project
- Project Duration: Maximum 3 years
- Eligible Institutions: UK-based universities, research institutes, NHS settings
- Commercial Organisations: Not eligible
- Research Scope: Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and other IBD conditions
- Assessment: Two-stage review process
- Priority Areas: Patient-identified Top 10 Impacts of Crohn’s and Colitis
For broader clinical research standards in the UK, applicants may explore guidance from the official National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR):
https://www.nihr.ac.uk
Table of Contents
Overview
The Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026 welcomes proposals across the full breadth of IBD research. This includes:
- Medical and laboratory-based research
- Clinical research
- Research on living with IBD
- Diagnostic and monitoring innovation
- Rehabilitation and long-term care studies
The charity has introduced a Highlight Notice for 2026, prioritising projects aligned with patient-identified needs from the Top 10 Impacts of Crohn’s and Colitis report.
Priority focus areas include:
- Fatigue and energy management
- Anxiety about toilet access
- Living with unpredictable symptoms
- Sleep disruption
- Emotional wellbeing and complex emotions
- Embarrassment and stigma
- Planning daily life with IBD
While proposals outside the highlighted areas remain eligible, aligned applications will receive priority consideration.
The Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026 aims to strengthen understanding of IBD, improve diagnosis and monitoring, enhance care quality, and reduce the real-life burden on patients.
Eligibility
Applicants for the Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026 must:
- Be based at a UK university, research institute, or NHS setting
- Submit applications via the Flexigrant system
- Ensure the Principal Investigator and Host Institution are UK-based
Commercial organisations are not eligible.
Early Career Researchers (ECRs) Encouraged
The grant strongly supports capacity-building in IBD research. Eligible ECRs include:
- Doctoral students
- Researchers without PhDs
- Researchers within 10 years (FTE) post-PhD
Collaborative applications and diverse research teams are encouraged, particularly those embedding:
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Applications failing to adequately address PPIE and EDI will not be shortlisted.
Application Details
The Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026 follows a two-stage assessment process:
Stage 1: Outline Application
Applicants submit summarised top-line costings and project concept.
Stage 2: Full Application
Shortlisted applicants provide a detailed proposal and full budget.
Funding Covers:
- Research staff salaries (justified)
- PhD stipends and fees
- Laboratory materials and consumables
- Consultancy and statistician costs
- Project-specific equipment (justified)
Funding Does NOT Cover:
- Estates costs
- Equipment maintenance
- Standard office equipment
- Recruitment costs
- Organisational overheads
All applications must be submitted before 12 noon, 9 April 2026.
Applicants can contact: [email protected] for support.
FAQ
1. Who can apply for Crohns and Colitis UK Grant Call 2026?
UK-based researchers in universities, research institutes, or NHS organisations.
2. What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to £150,000 over three years.
3. Are pilot or innovative projects eligible?
Yes, feasibility and pilot studies are welcomed.
4. Is international collaboration allowed?
Yes, but the Principal Investigator and host institution must be UK-based.
Official Link
For complete guidance, eligibility details, assessment criteria, and to apply via Flexigrant, visit the official page:
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