Career Development Awards
Funds research teams and institutions for Career Development Awards in biotechnology and medical technology.
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Career Development Awards (CDA) are mentored grants designed to facilitate the development of early-career investigators into independent IBD researchers. The program targets MD and PhD holders who have not yet established themselves in the IBD field and who are employed at US public or private non-profit or government institutions engaged in health or health-related research. Citizenship is not restricted, but legal US work authorization is required. MD candidates must demonstrate five years of post-terminal-degree experience with at least two years of documented IBD research; PhD candidates must have at least two years of documented post-doctoral IBD research. Applicants are generally expected to be within ten years of their doctoral degree, with the Foundation applying flexibility for career gaps due to parenting, caregiving, or COVID-related interruptions.
The 2026 cycle follows the same timeline as other CCF grants: pre-application portal opened April 4, 2026; pre-application deadline June 2, 2026; invited full proposals due July 23, 2026; review September–October 2026; decisions announced December 2026. Awards provide a maximum of $102,500 per year over one to three years, structured as salary support up to $60,000 per year, fringe benefits at 25% of salary up to $15,000 per year, and other than personnel services (OTPS) costs up to $27,500 per year — covering MPH tuition, statistical support, travel, memberships, and textbooks. A minimum of 65% of professional time must be dedicated to the funded project. Applicants must identify and commit to a senior investigator mentor and include a formal career development plan covering training, mentorship, and transition to independence.
A joint Crohn's & Colitis Foundation/NASPGHAN IBD Young Investigator Award is available within this mechanism for pediatric IBD applicants who indicate a pediatric focus on their CDA submission. Submissions are made through proposalCENTRAL (GMID=96). Full page limits and format specifications are in the RFP PDF (revised March 2026). Inquiries go to training_awards@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
Mentored career development in basic and translational IBD research for early-career MD/PhD investigators at US institutions transitioning toward independent research.
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