The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has issued an international Request for Proposals (RFP) for academic researchers to access biosamples and research-ready datasets available through IBD Plexus. IBD Plexus is a comprehensive resource platform containing biosamples, clinical data, and molecular datasets from IBD patients. The initiative supports research that leverages these resources to address high-priority areas in IBD, aiming to advance precision medicine and generate real-world evidence for clinical applications.

Researchers are invited to submit proposals that utilize IBD Plexus assets to focus on one or more of the following four key areas: identification and/or validation of diagnostics or biomarkers, therapeutic development and optimization, disease management, and disease prevention. Priority is given to studies that are likely to accelerate impactful advancements in these domains. The Foundation emphasizes translational and clinically applicable research that contributes to long-term improvements in patient care.

The opportunity is open to academic investigators globally. The lead principal investigator (PI) must be an established researcher, such as a Professor, Associate Professor, Head of Research, or equivalent, with expertise in a relevant field. All PIs and any co-PIs must be employed by public nonprofit, private nonprofit, or government institutions engaged in health or health-related research. Collaborative proposals involving multiple institutions are welcome.

The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) via the Proposal Central platform. The LOI is mandatory for all applicants and must include all required fields to be considered. If accepted, applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. LOIs can be submitted at any time, and proposals are reviewed in six annual cycles. Review deadlines for 2025 are February 28, April 30, June 30, August 31, October 31, and December 31. Applicants will receive decision notifications approximately one month following the submission deadline for each cycle.

To apply, investigators should log into Proposal Central, filter opportunities by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and select the IBD Plexus funding opportunity. All application materials, including the full RFP, LOI form, and submission portal, are accessible through this system. For questions, applicants may contact the Foundation through its general email address: info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.