Celiac Disease Foundation – SSCD Improving Health Equity in Celiac Disease Through Disparities Research Award

The Improving Health Equity in Celiac Disease Through Disparities Research award is offered in partnership with the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD). The award will support research initiatives aimed at understanding cultural, socioeconomic, and systemic factors that impact celiac disease awareness, diagnosis, management – including adherence to a gluten-free diet – and increasing representation of underserved populations in clinical trials. Projects must focus on one or more of the following: 

• Characterizing potential differences in celiac disease diagnosis, management, and treatment response in underrepresented populations 
• Seeking ways to improve celiac disease management among underserved populations, such as ways to increase access to gluten-free foods and improve dietary compliance 
• Quantifying the socioeconomic and psychological burden of celiac disease and its correlation with social determinants of health 
• Collecting data on access to care for patients from underserved communities to tailor disease education and clinical trial participation specifically to the cultural and socioeconomic needs of the population 

• Only organizations are eligible to receive awards, not individuals or medical practice groups. 
• The Principal Investigator (PI) must have a medical or postdoctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent), an advanced nursing degree (BSN with MS/PhD), or a degree in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Dietetics/Nutrition, or Social Work. 
• The applicant must be the PI or an authorized designee of such individual (e.g., PI’s research coordinator). 
• SSCD membership is required at the time of application and throughout the term of the award. Join the SSCD. 
• Individual projects requesting up to $100,000 USD over a maximum of two years will be considered. The total available budget is $100,000 USD. 

• Award amounts must include direct costs only. No indirect costs are allowed. 
• Maximum project length is two (2) years. 
• Upon notification of receipt of this award, the recipient must provide the final protocol and institutional approval from the appropriate committee(s) for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, then the recipient must provide documentation from the appropriate regulatory committee. 
• Recipients must submit scientific and financial progress reports to the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) annually and final reports 60 days after the end date of the award period. Report templates and instructions are provided to awardees at the time of acceptance. Second year funding is contingent upon the submission and accuracy of this documentation. 
• All publications, presentations, and abstracts arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support of the Celiac Disease Foundation – SSCD Improving Health Equity in Celiac Disease Through Disparities Research award. 

Applicants must use CDF’s Budget Template, as provided in the application form. All expenses must be explained and justified in a budget narrative submitted with the budget template. 

The following expenses are allowable: 

• Salary and benefits of the principal investigator 
• Salary and benefits of research assistants, laboratory technicians, and/or other key personnel 
• Biostatistics support 
• Supplies, animals, or other materials necessary for the proposed research 
• Equipment, not to exceed $5,000 per year 
• Travel, not to exceed $1,500 per year 

The following expenses are not allowable: 

• Indirect costs 

Any deviation from these budget guidelines must be clearly addressed in the budget justification and other relevant supporting documents. Any questions should be submitted to [email protected]. 

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria: investigator and collaborators, research plan, and relevance to improving health equity in celiac disease. 

Members of the SSCD Health Equity Leadership Council will review applications for merit and select the award recipients. Award recipients will be notified via email by November 2024. Funding will commence in January 2025. 

The application process is now closed.

Please email [email protected] for questions or call Marissa Mahoney at 844.593.8169, x110. 

This research award is offered in partnership with the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD). Learn more at theceliacsociety.org.