SSCD-CDF Celiac Disease Research Young Investigator Development Award

The Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD) and the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) are pleased to announce the SSCD-CDF Celiac Disease Research Young Investigator Development Award. The award is designed to support promising researchers in the early stages of their career, fostering their potential to contribute significantly to independent basic, translational, or clinical research in celiac disease.

Applicants for this award must hold an MD, PhD and/or equivalent degree (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, DO), and a full-time faculty or equivalent position at an institution in North America by the start date (i.e., Fall 2026) of this award.

• The award is $75,000 in direct costs per year for up to two years of support.
• Institutional indirect costs are not permitted.
• The supporting institution must provide the applicant with at least 20% protected time to conduct the proposed work and career development.
• All publications resulting from work supported by the Celiac Disease Foundation and Society for the Study of Celiac Disease must acknowledge support by the relevant funding mechanism.
• A complete financial statement and scientific progress report are required annually. The recipient will be required to indicate how the funds were used, the accomplishments achieved during the project, and how the additional training contributed to his/her research career development.

Completed applications must include the following:

1. A biographical sketch of the principal investigator, key personnel, mentor, and all co-mentors. The current NIH biosketch format is preferred and instructions (non-fellowship) are posted at grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm. The biosketch should list specific aims of all active research funding to permit an assessment of scientific overlap with the investigator’s existing extramural funding.
2. Candidate information and career development goals. This is a description of the candidate’s background and commitment to a research career. It should include a mentorship/career development plan that will be followed in the context of the proposed research project, and which will help lead the applicant toward an independent research career. This may be structured into the following sub-sections (no more than two pages).
   1. 1. Applicant’s personal statement outlining interest in a research career.
      2. Proposed research skills development including: a portrayal of goals; a statement of the scientific or clinical underpinnings of the training experience; and detailed role of the mentor/mentorship plan.
      3. Long-term career plans and how the proposed research will facilitate achievement of these plans.
3. The research plan, which includes:
   1. 1. Scientific Abstract (no more than 1 page) suitable for use in the public domain should succinctly describe the scope of the proposed research, the study hypothesis, its scientific objectives, and the potential for innovation. Relevance of the proposed research to celiac disease should be emphasized. The names and institutional affiliations of the principal investigator and all co-investigators should be listed at the end of this page.
      2. Specific Aims (no more than 1 page):
         1. 1. Explain the rationale for the study, overall hypothesis, aims, and significance if successful.
      3. Research Strategy (no more than 4 pages) including clinical significance, innovation, and approach
4. Description of Institutional Environment (no more than 1 page): Describe your institution’s research and career development opportunities related to this application and your area(s) of interest. Describe how equipment, facilities, and other resources will be made available to you for the research proposed and your career development.
5. References
6. Additional Criteria (no more than 1 page):
   1. 1. Human subjects research: For studies involving human subjects, explain whether there is an existing IRB-approved protocol in place. If not, please outline your plans to obtain IRB approval, or explain why your protocol may not require this.
      2. Animal studies: For studies involving animals, explain whether an animal protocol is approved or planned.
      3. Safety: Describe any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and precautions to be exercised.
7. Detailed Budget. There are no restrictions on how the grant is used, with the exception that indirect costs are not allowed.
8. Letters of Recommendation:
   1. 1. Mentor Letter(s): Should be from the individual responsible for the applicant’s research training (mentor) which should describe the applicant’s potential for an independent research career and describe how the environment will ensure the candidate’s success.
      2. Institutional Support Letter: Should be from the applicant’s academic division or department leader (Section Chief or Department Chair). This letter should clearly delineate a commitment of 20% effort dedicated to research, as well as an adequate assignment of space, equipment, and resources for the proposed research.

Scoring will be based on:

• Applicant’s educational and research accomplishments. 
• Strength of the research proposal.
• Strength of the recommendation letters. 
• Commitment to advancing celiac disease research.
• Selected applicants will be notified via email. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. 

Applicants will be reviewed by the SSCD/CDF Research Committee.