Coeliac UK and Innovate UK Announce Will Fund Research

Coeliac UK, the UK charity for people who need to live gluten free, along with Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, have GBP180k available for research and are inviting applications from UK businesses and researchers.

The two organizations are launching a second research call to industry and researchers to make improvements for people living with celiac disease. Projects must underpin and support Coeliac UK’s top 10 research priorities, for example:

• improving diagnostics for celiac disease, refractory celiac disease and/or gluten-related neurological conditions;
• developing tools for the long term management of celiac disease;
• enhancing the quality of staple gluten free food.

Total project costs can range from GBP50k to GBP250k and researchers and businesses can jointly apply for a share of the funding up to the maximum GBP180K available. Applicants can find out more about this competition at: www.coeliac.org.uk/innovateuk and must apply by the closing date: September 16, 2019, 10:00 (GMT+1).

Hilary Croft, CEO of Coeliac UK said: “We want to change the course of celiac disease treatment through improved diagnostics, technology and food innovations that truly bridge the gap between people, health professionals and products. Research has the power to do this and by combining forces with Innovate UK and industry, our charity demonstrates its unwavering commitment to the UK’s growing gluten-free community”.

Kathryn Miller, innovation lead for food and nutrition at Innovate UK, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with charities such as Coeliac UK to promote innovations that will have a real, positive impact on people’s lives. Innovate UK has long supported businesses innovating in the areas of healthcare diagnostics, digital support and enhancing nutritional quality of foods, themes already supported through joint Coeliac UK / Innovate UK funding awarded earlier this year.”

Earlier this year, three projects based in Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh, were awarded Coeliac UK / Innovate UK grants from the first joint research call:

• A new test to provide a less invasive way of diagnosing celiac disease that may not rely on someone having to eat ongoing amounts of gluten if they have already adopted a gluten-free diet.
• Development of three new plant proteins derived from crops, which are underused in the UK: rapeseed cake, faba beans and naked oats, to help improve the ingredients used in gluten-free bread.
• Software innovation to help in the ongoing management of celiac disease, so that those who need additional care receive access to crucial support when they need it and those living well can receive the assurance of being clinically followed up without the inconvenience, time and cost of hospital appointments.

Including the contribution from industry, a total GBP750k was committed to research.