Impact Patient Care with a Research Grant

The Patient Directed Investigation Grant exists to support translational studies that have the potential to benefit patients directly. Such studies may concern medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, procedural dermatology, pediatric dermatology, or other aspects of the specialty that impact patient care. The annual award of $25,000 in funding is intended to enhance the career development of patient-oriented clinical investigators in the early stages of their career development. 

M-derm-ped-patient-iStock-673329412

Know Before You Apply

All Foundation-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. Applicants from minority populations are encouraged to apply.

The DF encourages applications concerning health issues impacting applicants from minority populations, including, but not limited to, racial minorities, sexual ¬ gender/LGBTQ minorities, and underserved/disadvantaged populations.

Patient Directed Investigation Grant FAQs

Applications will be judged by the Medical and Scientific Committee’s panel of recognized experts in applied medical, surgical, procedural, and pediatric dermatology. It is the expectation that the recipients of this award will be the future clinical leaders in dermatology, helping to shape the future of the specialty. Recipients may apply for a second year of funding on a competitive basis.

Am I eligble?

If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for the Patient Directed Investigation Grant.

If you meet the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for a Patient Directed Investigation Grant.

  • MD; MD, PhD; PhD; or DO degree
  • Completed training in U.S. dermatology residency program
  • Clinical investigator in the early stages of academic career
  • Primary appointment in dermatology
  • Project not funded from other sources

How do I apply for the Patient Directed Investigation Grant?

Starting in July 2024, the DF will be accepting new 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. Updated application instructions for the 2025 cycle will be available in the coming weeks.

The DF has also prepared a Quick Reference Guide to enable users to quickly acclimate to the online application system.

Application deadline: October 15, 2024

Featured Award Recipient

Cell Signaling Changes Induced by Surgical Debulking May Improve Response to Smoothened Inhibitor Therapy

Smoothened (SMO) inhibitors, such as vismodegib, are effective treatments for locally advanced basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). However, recurrences are frequent upon treatment discontinuation. Our clinical observations suggest long-term remission for patients undergoing surgical debulking of exophytic BCCs prior to SMO inhibitor therapy. This study intends to correlate key oncogenic signaling pathways induced by surgical debulking with improved patient outcomes with SMO inhibitors.

Charlene Lam

Charlene Lam, MD, MPH

Pennsylvania State University

Patient Directed Investigation Grant

Award Recipients | Patient Directed Investigation Grant

John Edminister, MD
Wake Forest University
In Vitro Investigation of Cinacalcet as a Non-Immunosuppressive Therapy for Pemphigus Vulgaris

Tammy Gonzalez, MD, PhD
University of Miami
Changing a Paradigm in Prurigo Nodularis - Protective Role of Facial Skin Commensals