The conference, Building Bridges Conference: UChicagoIBD & the Paris IBD Center, will address the critical need for continued investment in IBD research and the importance global perspective-taking to address the growth of inflammatory bowel disease throughout the world. The insights shared and the connections forged at this conference promise to pave the way for significant advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with IBD in Europe, America, and beyond. The conference will include a leadership meeting for faculty, a program for researchers and clinicians, and an evening symposium for IBD patients and their families. In Year 2, research collaborations will continue, and faculty from the University of Chicago will return to the IIRP for the 2026 Research Intensive to follow up on collaborations incepted at the conference, and to identify future directions for ongoing research.