We fund research through an open and transparent process involving researchers, clinicians and people living with Crohn's or Colitis. A process called peer-review sits at the heart of our research funding and means that we use the expertise of scientists and clinicians to assess whether the research applications we get are of high quality.

This is a standard approach across all members of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), and Crohn’s & Colitis UK has been awarded an AMRC certificate of good practice for our peer review procedures.

All applications are judged on scientific merit. Our Research Awards Panel consists of researchers, clinicians and people living with Crohn’s or Colitis. They shortlist and review all applications and make funding recommendations to our Research Strategy and Funding Committee (RSFC).

Feedback on all grant applications is provided to applicants from the Chairs of the Awards Panels. Please read our conflict of interest policy for the Awards Panel members.

See the flowchart below for an overview of our research funding process.

The Research Strategy and Funding Committee (RSFC) takes delegated responsibility on behalf of the Board of Trustees for the research strategy and its delivery. This ensures that there is a framework for accountability, and that the charity is working within appropriate legal and ethical boundaries to fund research of the highest quality and of greatest benefit to people with Crohn’s and Colitis.

We are always considering how our funded projects can be developed to make our supporters money work hard and achieve best value. We continually review our research strategies and policies to ensure they are fit for purpose in the ever-changing world of scientific research and academia, and in light of availability of other additional and complimentary research funding.

The Research Awards Panel, supported by the RSFC, oversee our annual research awards process, working alongside external peer reviewers to shortlist, review and select fundable grants. Membership includes people living with Crohn's or Colitis and reflects a fair balance of experience and scientific disciplines. All panel members and peer reviewers are required to disclose any conflict of interest. Potential beneficiaries are not present when their applications are discussed.

As a member of the AMRC, any application involving animals will be judged in accordance with 3R principles (replacement, refinement and reduction) as part of the peer review process. View our statement on the use of animals in research.

All applications involving humans must be backed by full ethical approval from the appropriate ethics committees.