We want to fund your scientific breakthrough.

The Dermatology Foundation offers ten categories of highly competitive Career Development Awards (CDAs). CDAs may be renewed annually for up to a total of three years of funding. Strong institutional commitment for an individual’s career development is essential for a recipient of any career development award, and must be clearly explained in the Department Chair’s form of support. Renewal of a career development award for a second and third year will depend on a recipient’s ability to provide evidence of significant progress on the research project, demonstrated institutional commitment to career development, and progress toward obtaining other funding.

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Know Before You Apply

All DF-funded research must be conducted in the U.S. under the sponsorship of a department/division of dermatology that is ACGME-approved for training in dermatology. Applicants must meet the DF's general eligibility requirements, in addition to award-specific requirements presented on or before the time of funding. Minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

The Dermatology Foundation encourages applications concerning health issues impacting minority groups, including, but not limited to, racial minorities, sexual­ gender/LGBTQ minorities, and underserved/disadvantaged populations.

Career Development Award FAQs

All CDAs offer an annual salary stipend of $55,000 that can be supplemented from institutional sources so that salary received is commensurate with peers within the institution. A CDA recipient may seek simultaneous grant support from other agencies to provide for the non-salary components of the research being performed under the auspices of an award.

  • New CDA, Fellowship, and Grant Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
  • CDA Renewal Deadline: November 1, 2024
  • Announcement of Award Recipients: March 2025

Am I eligible?

If you meet the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for a CDA. View additional eligibility requirements and exceptions below.

  1. Candidates with an MD; MD, PhD; or DO must be no greater than 12 years beyond their terminal degree – as of January 1, 2024.
  2. Candidates with a PhD must be no greater than 8 years beyond their terminal degree – as of January 1, 2024.
  3. Junior faculty member in a department or division of dermatology with an ACGME-approved dermatology residency program, through Assistant Professor level. Applicants can include instructors, postdoctoral fellows on an NIH T32 training grant and assistant professors.
  4. Anyone who is a prior or current principal investigator (PI) on a federal grant is not eligible to receive a DF career development award.

How do I apply for a Career Development Award?

The PDF application instructions provide essential information potential applicants need to know to evaluate the various award opportunities and develop a successful application and research proposal. Updated application instructions for the 2025 cycle will be available in the coming weeks. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to read sections II and III before beginning any paperwork. Applications will be accepted beginning July 2024. View all nine available CDA categories below.

Application deadline: October 15, 2024

How do I renew my Career Development Award?

Renewal applications are due to the DF on or before November 1st via the CDAFG Research Award Portal.  The DF office will send you an email in early September with a unique link to your renewal application. The required content is defined in detail in the Research Award Program Applicant Instructions.

Aileen Y. Chang, MD

Aileen Y. Chang, MD

University of California, San Francisco

Public Health Career Development Award

Career Development Award Recipient

Hospital Utilization for Skin Diseases in Persons Experiencing Homelessness

One in 25 Americans will experience homelessness in their lifetime. Homelessness is an independent risk factor for increased emergency department use, longer length of hospital stay, and hospital readmission. This study aims to evaluate homelessness as a risk factor for hospital-based dermatology care and readmissions after dermatology-related hospitalizations. Understanding the social risks that drive costly health care utilization for skin diseases will inform future interventions.