Coeliac UK invests in three new research projects

April 30, 2026

Coeliac UK is excited to announce that after a competitive grant call in 2025 we are funding three new research projects that are set to begin this year.

Last summer, we held an open ended research call. The nature of this funding call has allowed the current evidence gaps in research to drive the course of innovation, rather than set funding caps limiting what research can be done.

We received over 40 applications, requesting more than £10 million, and based on a rigorous assessment from Coeliac UK’s Research Awards Panel (RAP), external peer reviewers and our Member Review Panel (MRP), we are delighted to announce that three research projects have been selected to receive a total of £661,597 worth of funding.

With these projects selected, we are now focused on continuing our fundraising efforts to make them happen. Donate here.

What are the three projects researching?

Studying proteins to understand ongoing symptoms and help improve coeliac disease management

A research team led by Professor Ludvig Sollid, University of Oslo, has been selected for £603,097 worth of funding. The project aims to use protein levels as a marker of gut inflammation caused by gluten in patients with coeliac disease. They hope this will provide answers about ongoing symptoms and provide a new tool for monitoring disease progression to help with patient care and management.
Understanding what triggers coeliac disease onset

Dr Vincent van Unen’s research group at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands has been designated a £38,500 grant. The team is looking to determine how infections could trigger coeliac disease onset in genetically at risk people. This could lead to new targets for preventative strategies.
Improving diagnosis of coeliac disease

An additional £20,000 grant will support Professor Elizabeth Soilleux’s, University of Cambridge, research team who will focus on improving diagnostic accuracy for coeliac disease. The study aims to detect disease specific immune cells in biopsies with high precision to pave the way for a more accurate and conclusive diagnostic test.

For further information on the details of these projects please click here.