2024 Research Funding
For nearly 60 years, the Dermatology Foundation has played a significant role in the advancement of patient care through its Research Award Program. With support from the DF’s 16 research award categories, promising investigators have the opportunity to pursue innovative ideas and new knowledge that ultimately lead to breakthroughs in patient care. Funding is available in a wide range of research award categories.
All mid-career development award, fellowship and grant applications will be accepted this summer for 2024 support.

Announcing the 2023 Research Award Recipients
The DF congratulates its 2023 research award recipients! The Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Committee reviewed many promising proposals and identified those which are most meritorious and impactful for the future of dermatology. We are pleased to support the work of these individuals.
Award Categories

Award Selection Process

Research Award Program FAQs
The DF’s Research Award Program offers a variety of research awards intended to further the specialty and enable advancements in patient care. An emphasis is placed on supporting research that benefits the dermatology community at large and has significant potential to advance patient care. It is the expectation that the recipients of Foundation awards will be tomorrow’s expert teachers, innovative investigators, and master clinicians in dermatology.
Am I eligible?
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. A project to be performed as a part of the U.S. government research program (except Veterans Administration), or to be performed at a private foundation without an academic affiliation to dermatology, is not eligible for funding. A project involving human subjects must have IRB approval at the time funding commences, i.e., July 1, and throughout the term of the award.
An individual who is a prior or current principal investigator (PI) on a federal grant is not eligible to receive a DF career development award, fellowship or grant.
The following two exceptions apply:
- CDA awardees may have an effort on an NIH grant as long as he/she is not the senior PI who initiated the application and he/she does not have direct reporting responsibilities for this or prior federal awards. Total support from all federal grants must be less than 20% of their total effort during the term of the DF award. OR
- The individual is the recipient of an NIH training grant or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.
Upon receipt as the PI of a federal grant, a DF CDA or grant will be withdrawn. Note, an individual who receives a federal grant that eliminates their status as a "new investigator" is not eligible to maintain/receive a DF CDA.
Fellowship recipients may receive NIH training grants or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.
Important Note: The Foundation utilizes the NIH definitions of “principal investigator” and “co-investigator” to administer this policy, as found in the Glossary of NIH Terms
How do I apply for a Research Award?
The DF is now accepting applications for career development awards, fellowships and research grants via our CDAFG Research Award Application Portal. The Applicant Instructions provided below include essential information potential applicants need to know to evaluate the various award opportunities and develop a successful application and research proposal. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to read sections II and III before assembling their application.
The DF has also prepared a Quick Reference Guide to enable users to quickly acclimate to the online application system.
Application deadline: November 1, 2022
Career Development Awards
Investing in our specialty’s most promising researchers helps them to establish the track records and data needed to secure major federal awards. Each award recipient receives $55,000 in annual salary support for up to three years.
Research Fellowship
Our specialty’s newest investigators are its future leaders. Investing in them early in their careers makes future innovation possible. This award provides a one-year salary stipend of $30,000 to the most promising physician-scientists who have recently completed their dermatology residency training.
I'm a current award recipient. Where do I find reporting forms? How do I request funding renewal?
Attention Department Chairs and Program Directors
The Chair's Comments of Support form [Word] must be completed by the Dermatology Department/Division Chair/Chief for all career development award and fellowship applicants. Please be sure to respond to each question thoroughly. Keep in mind, the applicant’s potential to contribute to dermatology, mentor, training environment, and the institution’s support of the applicant are key criteria in the DF’s application review process.