The Kenneth Rainin Foundation invites Letters of Inquiry for our Innovator Awards Program from August 3 through September 30, 2026. Grants of up to $150,000 will support individual projects and grants of up to $300,000 will support collaborative work. We encourage researchers from across the globe who are interested in improving the prevention, prediction, diagnosis and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to apply.
Our Commitment To Funding IBD Research
We remain steadfast in our search for a cure for IBD. With ever increasing stress on scientific funding, we are committed to supporting biomedical research relevant to this complex disease. We will continue to fund both early career scientists and seasoned investigators who bring diverse perspectives and novel ideas to the field.
“We are here for the researchers we support and the scientific community,” said Laura Wilson, PhD, Director, Health Strategy and Ventures. “The continued dedication of our grantees to improving the lives of those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is deeply valued.”
Funding Priorities
Previous Innovator Awards grants have supported research projects in areas such as:
- Bioengineering
- Diet and nutrition
- Molecular biology
- Immunity and inflammation
- Microbiome
- Therapeutic development and delivery
- Gut-brain axis
The Foundation also encourages applications for high-impact basic and translational research projects that use artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data analytics and various model systems to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms in IBD and accelerate therapeutic discovery in the field.
Explore past Innovator Awards grantee projects and visit the Rainin IBD portal to learn more about the research areas and scientists we have supported.
How To Apply
The Innovator Awards application is a two-step process. Letters of Inquiry are accepted through the Foundation’s online application system from August 3-September 30, 2026, at 5 PM PDT. Applicants selected by our Scientific Advisory Board will be invited to submit a full proposal from January 8-February 5, 2027, at 5 PM PST. Awards will be announced in May 2027 for a June 1, 2027-May 31, 2028, grant period.
Read more about the Innovator Awards’ funding criteria, eligibility requirements and guidelines before applying. The application link will be available when the Letter of Inquiry period opens on August 3.
About The Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education and Health. We believe in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs. Our grantmaking supports visionary artists in the Bay Area, creates opportunities for Oakland’s youngest learners and funds researchers on the forefront of scientific discoveries. Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded over $59 million in funding to spur breakthroughs in predicting, diagnosing, treating and eventually curing IBD. Learn more about the Rainin Foundation’s grantmaking.
