In order to achieve the ECCO REACH strategy, one of our most valuable assets remains the collective expertise and patient populations represented across European IBD National Study Groups. This issue of ECCO News highlights the ongoing opportunities for collaborative research through the ECCO National Study Group network and annual meeting, which takes place during the ECCO Congress.
The power of collaboration
IBD National Study Groups across Europe consistently generate compelling clinical research questions that have the potential to significantly impact patient care. However, many promising studies face a common challenge: recruiting sufficient patient numbers to achieve meaningful statistical power. This is where the collaborative nature of ECCO National Study Groups becomes invaluable. By bringing together multiple national groups, single-centre observations can be transformed into robust, multicentric studies that truly reflect the diverse European IBD population.
The rationale for establishing these collaborative projects extends beyond mere patient recruitment. The ECCO National Study Group network facilitates the exchange of clinical expertise, methodological approaches and regional perspectives that enrich study design and interpretation. This collaborative model has proven particularly effective for observational, non-interventional and retrospective studies, where the primary advantage lies in accessing large, diverse patient cohorts across different healthcare systems and clinical practices. Overall, nine research projects are currently ongoing and 12 have been finalised since the creation of the ECCO National Study Group network [1].
Streamlined application process
To support researchers in this aim, ECCO has established a structured two-stage application process designed to optimise study protocols while fostering international collaboration. The first stage requires a concise four-page synopsis including background, design, objectives, inclusion/exclusion criteria, outcome definition and statistical approach. The initial review by ClinCom allows the provision of early scientific guidance and helps to avoid redundant or scientifically questionable research efforts.
Following successful first-stage review, selected projects are presented at the annual National Study Group meeting during the ECCO Congress, scheduled this year for February 18, 2026, in Stockholm. This face-to-face presentation provides great opportunities for direct feedback, methodological refinement and network building among potential collaborating centres.
The second stage involves submission of a full protocol incorporating feedback received during the National Study Group meeting. Upon ClinCom and Governing Board approval, ECCO supports dissemination through targeted communications to National Study Representatives, newsletters and ECCO News, facilitating recruitment of participating centres across our community.
Next steps for applicants
ECCO particularly encourages studies utilising UR-CARE for data collection, as this standardised approach enhances data quality and comparability across participating centres. The ideal projects are multicentric studies executed predominantly in Europe, featuring simple and practical designs that leverage the network's primary strength: access to large patient populations.
For those considering submission for the 2026 cycle, please note the October 15, 2025 deadline for first-stage applications. We encourage all ECCO Members involved in IBD research to consider how their clinical questions might benefit from this collaborative approach.
Together, the ECCO National Study Group network can transform individual research ideas into impactful, multinational studies that advance our understanding of IBD and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
- https://ecco-ibd.eu/science/study-group-projects. Accessed August 25, 2025.
