Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Awards Over $1.2 Million to New Research Projects through Annual Grant Competitions – GlobeNewswire

December 15, 2020 11:00 ET | Source: Crohn's and Colitis Canada

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TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crohns and Colitis Canada is delighted to award over $1.2 million in new grants through its Grants-in-Aid of Research and Innovations in IBD Research grant programs. With funds distributed among five principal investigators and their teams, the grants will support novel research projects focused on Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

As one of the worlds largest non-governmental funders of IBD research, Crohns and Colitis Canada has a well-known history of leading the advancement of critical research. Every funded project provides hope to the 270,000 Canadians living with the chronic autoimmune diseases a number that researchers expect to rise to 400,000 by 2030.

While Canadians of all ages live with IBD, research shows seniors are the fastest growing group and the prevalence in children has risen by more than 50% over the past 10 years. With the rising rate of IBD among Canadians and unique treatment challenges presented by all age groups, the data from the scientific community highlights the urgent need to invest in research.

We are grateful to the Crohns and colitis community who stepped up in a difficult year to ensure we could sustain and grow our research investments. We have made great progress in gaining a better understanding of these diseases, and funding these five new projects through our grant programs ensures we dont lose momentum, says Susan Cowan, CEO of Crohns and Colitis Canada. With 14 Grants-in-Aid projects currently in their second or third year of funding, were now supporting 19 grant-funded projects that address the pressing need to expand treatment options, improve patient care, and identify the mechanisms behind the diseases to allow us to discover cures. Crohns and Colitis Canada is proud to be driving world-renowned, game-changing Crohns and colitis research thanks to the generous support of our donors and volunteers through our annual Gutsy Walk and local fundraising activities across the country.

The annual competitions for the two funding programs require principal investigators to submit research proposals that undergo a rigorous review process by a panel comprised of scientific experts, IBD nurses, and people with IBD. This year, three principal investigators and their teams are the recipients of Grants-in-Aid of Research grants, and will receive $125,000 a year for three years to advance prevention, treatments, and health policy.

Crohns and Colitis Canada is also pleased to award two Innovations in IBD Research grants to scientists and their teams. The intent of the Innovations in IBD Research program is to support scientists with new and creative ideas, which may have high risks but could result in high rewards. These one-year $50,000 grants are made possible this year thanks to funding provided by the Ross McMaster Memorial Fund.

The notable researchers receiving funding through Crohns and Colitis Canadas grants program are:

Grants-in-Aid of Research Recipients:

Innovations in IBD Research Recipients:

In addition to funding research projects through its annual grant competitions, Crohns and Colitis Canada supports a number of signature research initiatives. Notably, Crohns and Colitis Canada created the first national network of IBD Centres of Excellence through its Promoting Access and Care through Centres of Excellence (PACE) network to address existing gaps in access to care in Canada. Supported by the generosity of donors and in partnership with Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Crohns and Colitis Canadas Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project is the worlds largest clinical study investigating the causes of Crohns disease.

To learn more about Crohns and Colitis Canadas grants programs and other funded research, please visit crohnsandcolitis.ca.

About Crohns and Colitis Canada

Crohns and Colitis Canada is on a relentless journey to find the cures for Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases. We are the countrys largest volunteer-based organization with this mission and are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohns and colitis research in the world, investing over $130 million in research to date. We are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohns and colitis through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness. For more information, visitcrohnsandcolitis.caand follow us @getgutsycanada onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Stacey Sheehan Marketing and Communications Coordinator Crohns and Colitis Canada 416-920-5035 ext. 243

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Crohn's and Colitis Canada Awards Over $1.2 Million to New Research Projects through Annual Grant Competitions - GlobeNewswire