diff --git a/samplesheets/plugins.py b/samplesheets/plugins.py
index cd40be74..2ed0748d 100644
--- a/samplesheets/plugins.py
+++ b/samplesheets/plugins.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
     ProjectAppPluginPoint,
     ProjectModifyPluginMixin,
     PluginObjectLink,
+    PluginSearchResult,
     get_backend_api,
 )
 from projectroles.utils import build_secret
@@ -448,32 +449,34 @@ def search(self, search_terms, user, search_type=None, keywords=None):
         :param user: User object for user initiating the search
         :param search_type: String
         :param keywords: List (optional)
-        :return: Dict
+        :return: List of PluginSearchResult objects
         """
         irods_backend = get_backend_api('omics_irods')
-        results = {}
+        ret = []
         # Materials
         if not search_type or search_type in MATERIAL_SEARCH_TYPES:
             item_types = ['SOURCE', 'SAMPLE']
             if search_type in MATERIAL_SEARCH_TYPES:
                 item_types = [search_type.upper()]
-            results['materials'] = {
-                'title': 'Sources and Samples',
-                'search_types': ['source', 'sample'],
-                'items': self._get_search_materials(
+            r = PluginSearchResult(
+                category='materials',
+                title='Sources and Samples',
+                search_types=['source', 'sample'],
+                items=self._get_search_materials(
                     search_terms, user, keywords, item_types
                 ),
-            }
+            )
+            ret.append(r)
         # iRODS files
         if irods_backend and (not search_type or search_type == 'file'):
-            results['files'] = {
-                'title': 'Sample Files in iRODS',
-                'search_types': ['file'],
-                'items': self._get_search_files(
-                    search_terms, user, irods_backend
-                ),
-            }
-        return results
+            r = PluginSearchResult(
+                category='files',
+                title='Sample Files in iRODS',
+                search_types=['file'],
+                items=self._get_search_files(search_terms, user, irods_backend),
+            )
+            ret.append(r)
+        return ret
 
     def get_project_list_value(self, column_id, project, user):
         """