AGA and Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. announce new grants for IBD researchers

Thanks to a generous grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc., the AGA Research Foundation is thrilled to announce three new research grants to fund young investigators working on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) projects. This funding will provide qualified scientists with the opportunity to make discoveries that will lead to improvements in patient care.

The AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Awards in Inflammatory Bowel Disease will provide $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to three young investigators working toward independent research careers with a focus on IBD. Interested researchers should apply to the AGA by Aug. 26.

"The AGA Research Foundation is very grateful to have Takeda's support for promising young researchers at a very vulnerable stage in their careers," said Robert S. Sandler, MD, MPH, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "Inflammatory bowel disease offers exciting opportunities for research, and we look forward to seeing how these three award recipients will advance our understanding of this serious digestive disease."

IBD, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, impacts more than 5 million people worldwide. Often diagnosed in adolescent years, IBD can have a profound impact both physically and psychologically. Research to improve speed of diagnosis, expand treatment options and find evidence-based tools to help support patients can help ease the burden and advance the future of IBD care.

"Takeda is proud to partner with the AGA Research Foundation to present three research scholar awards in IBD," said Karen Lasch, MD, executive medical director, gastroenterology, Takeda. "As we look to the future, there is great promise with significant IBD research underway, but a strong need still exists for further scientific and clinical understanding. Providing young research investigators with the support they need to drive innovation and discovery is critical."

Interested researchers can learn more by visiting the AGA website. The deadline for applications is Aug. 26, 2016, for funding beginning July 1, 2017. The AGA Research Awards Panel is looking for individuals in the beginning years of their careers who have demonstrated exceptional promise and have some record of accomplishment in research.

The overall objective of the AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA) is to enable young investigators, instructors, research associates or equivalents to develop independent and productive research careers in digestive diseases by ensuring that a major proportion of their time is protected for research.

Provided by American Gastroenterological Association