The purpose of the BSG Research Committee is to stimulate the quantity and quality of basic, translational and clinical gastrointestinal and liver research conducted in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to clinical research and widespread involvement of Society members. Any member interested in becoming involved in research should contact a member of the Committee.

The Gut Microbiota for Health Expert Panel

The Gut Microbiota for Health Expert Panel represents a group of multi-disciplinary members (including primary and secondary care clinicians, microbiologists, dietitians and research scientists) with expertise and interest in the gut microbiota and its role in health and disease. The Group is under the auspices of the British Society of Gastroenterology Research Committee.

The group was formed in 2013 and now includes over 50 members who meet twice a year, arrange meetings and workshops on key topics related to the microbiota and publish articles in high impact journals, as well as writing articles to enhance understanding with the public.

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BSG AI Task Force

The AI Task Force is a group of BSG members who have a specialist interest in the rapidly developing area of artificial intelligence as it applies to gastrointestinal medicine.  The Group is under the auspices of the Research Committee.

The group was formed in 2021 and includes over 30 members who meet four times a year. The focus is to identify the key needs of gastroenterologists and their patients in service delivery, research, and teaching. The group has formed special interest groups (SIGs) in each of these areas, as well as SIGs for natural language processing (NLP) and disease-specific areas including inflammatory bowel disease. The quarterly plenary meetings ensure that all the groups continue to work together for the common good.

Find out more.

The NIHR Research Delivery Network

The Research Delivery Network (RDN) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to enable the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England. It replaced the Clinical Research Network (CRN) on 1 October 2024.

It consists of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) and a Coordinating Centre (RDNCC), working together as one organisation with joint leadership. If you want to find out more about RRDNs then further information can be found in the above link. To contact regional RDN teams directly, you can use the single point of contact details for each region on the NIHR RDN website.

The INCLUDE guidance has been designed to be used in conjunction with research, particularly in the early stages of setting-up. The guidance aims to get research teams thinking about ways of making health research more inclusive and to ensure under-served cohorts are more fairly represented in health research.

The NIHR also provides The Associate Principal Investigator Scheme (API) scheme which is open to all disciplines and specialties, and is intended to be a first step/taste of being involved in research. Those taking part (alongside their usual jobs - no out of programme/funding needed) gain experience in participating in several aspects of a trial, such as screening, consent, trial visits, and monitoring. On completion, participants receive a certificate from NIHR.

All trials being supported by the NIHR are encouraged to use the API scheme, as it has been shown to boost recruitment in several studies. Having only been open for non-commercial studies in the past, it is now also available for some commercial studies.

The aim is to ensure the NHS and care workforce feels able to contribute to research delivery within their clinical jobs, thereby boosting the research ready workforce and increasing the number of patients able to take part in research.

Trainee Research Networks

Trainee research networks are a collaborative effort to conduct high-quality multicentre audits or research that is led, designed and delivered by trainees. Our specialty has been able to produce some truly impactful research, and we look forward to future work and collaborations.

Check out the currently active trainee networks within gastroenterology and hepatology here.

Partner Charities and Research Associations

Crohn’s & Colitis UK (C&C)

For more than 30 years, C&C have been leading research activities that build evidence and create insight into the lived experiences, causes, and best treatments of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 

Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland (AoP) 

The Association of Physicians of GB and Ireland is the home of Interdisciplinary Translational Medicine hosting a vibrant community of researchers at all career stages. Their aim is to promote high quality interdisciplinary translational research to improve human health and well being. Their Vision is to 1) Engage the wider scientific and public community to raise the profile of interdisciplinary translational research, 2) Develop the careers of translational researchers, 3) Share ideas and knowledge.

Read more. 

Guts UK 

Guts UK has 29 active research studies across the UK, with the grants awarded totalling around £2.3 million. 

Read more.

Academic Research Grants Database

This database provides a list of academic research grants available in gastroenterology, hepatology, and related fields. This is compiled on a monthly basis by the BSG and includes NIHR grants, AMRC charity grants, International grants, small grants, as well as grants aimed at nurses and early career researchers. The BSG cannot accept any responsibility for the content of any of these listings, they are for information only.

Academic Research Grants

Please contact [email protected] if you have a relevant opportunity you would like included on this list.

Committee Members