Accelerate Your Research with a Women’s Health Grant
This award is intended to focus on women’s health issues where further research is needed. Funding is available for research in the areas of women’s health issues, which range from disorders that affect primarily women, such as lupus and scleroderma, to the effects of hormones and environmental factors on the skin and cutaneous aging.

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.
Women’s Health Research Grant FAQs
Am I eligible?
If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for the Women’s Health Research Grant.
If you meet the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for a Women's Health Research Grant.
- M.D.; M.D., Ph.D.; Ph.D.; or D.O. degree
- Proposed research focuses on women’s health issue
- Junior investigator in the early stages of academic career
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to skin research
- Project not funded from other sources
- NOT available to residents unless in a research year of a 4-year program defined by no more than 20% of time devoted to clinical responsibilities
How do I apply for a Women’s Health Research Grant?
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

Melissa M. Mauskar, M.D.
University of Texas Southwestern
Women’s Health Research Grant
Featured Award Recipient
Characterizing the Microbiome in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to scarring, obliteration of normal vulvar architecture, dyspareunia, and significant decrease in quality of life. Little is known about the refractory nature of this condition or which factors contribute to disease flares. Our study aims to determine whether the microbiome is altered in postmenopausal women with vulvar lichen sclerosus, and if this influences disease activity.
Award Recipients | Women’s Health Research Grant
Melissa Mauskar M.D.
Southwestern Med. School University of Texas
Characterizing the Microbiome in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus