2026 Childhood Eczema Prevention Grant

2026 Childhood Eczema Prevention Grant

Funder: Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER)

Status: Active grant program for 2026

Geographic Scope: Global. While GPER is based in the United States, applications from investigators and institutions outside of the United States are encouraged.

Organization Background: Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded and led by parents of children with atopic dermatitis (AD/eczema). GPER is a grassroots, parent-led organization that advances research and policy changes leading to better treatments and prevention strategies for moderate to severe eczema in children. Founded in 2014, GPER's vision is a future without childhood eczema.

Purpose: This Prevention Grant is intended to advance knowledge related to primary and secondary prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in childhood. The grant supports innovative, targeted clinical research studies focused on preventing pediatric AD.

Focus Areas

GPER is particularly interested in funding proposals addressing one or more of the following:

• Gut microbiome modulation in the perinatal period (pregnancy and early childhood). Proposals should focus on causes of gut microbiome shifts in this critical period and/or how to mitigate such changes through interventions.
• Early Intervention with topical therapy. Studies should address barrier integrity, microbiome, and/or immunological changes in the skin associated with AD development. An evidence-based rationale for the topical therapy selected and method and frequency of application is strongly encouraged.
• Avoidance and mitigation of environmental and lifestyle exposures. Studies should focus on strategies to reduce exposure to chemicals, pollutants, and antimicrobial agents that increase AD risk in children.

Research Types

• Primary prevention studies: Focus on strategies for avoiding disease entirely before AD ever occurs.
• Secondary prevention studies: Focus on screening children for early signs and treatment to resolve AD and stop further progression.

Research Quality: GPER seeks to fund high quality scientific research that, upon completion, will be publishable in peer-reviewed journals and clinically applicable.

Reviewer Priorities

• Priority given to proposals focusing on clinical or translational research with implications for AD prevention in the near term
• Patient-centered approach highly valued
• Basic research accepted but should demonstrate strong clinical relevance
• Biomarker studies considered; preference given to studies with interventional focus over those primarily focused on biomarker development
• Research teams encouraged to incorporate input from individuals with lived experience with AD

Eligibility

Eligible Investigators:

Principal Investigators at different stages of career

Research doctorates

PhD students

Post-docs

Residents and fellows (with supervisory approval/faculty mentorship)

Both individual investigators and groups consisting of multiple investigators from different institutions

Institutional Eligibility: Investigators and institutions outside of the United States are encouraged to apply.

Award Amount

Budget Cap: Applicants may request up to $100,000 USD (direct costs only)

Cost Restrictions:

Indirect costs are NOT allowed

Salary and fringe benefits ARE permissible

Staff salary support should be reflective of effort dedicated to project with explanation in budget justification

PI salary support should align with current allowable NIH salary cap

Requirements

IRB/IACUC Approval: All research involving human subjects or animals must have proper regulatory approval before work begins. While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain IRB approval before applying.

Award Period: Projects are expected to begin within six months of the application due date. Special requests to extend this timeframe must be submitted in writing to info@gper.org and will be evaluated case-by-case.

Publications: Public dissemination of funded research must acknowledge support from "Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER)." GPER logo should be included in posters and presentations. GPER should be notified at least two weeks before public dissemination.

Reporting: Within six weeks of award termination, awardees must submit:

Project Report (activities, data, interpretation, obstacles, deviations, all public dissemination)

Financial Report (detailed accounting of fund use)

Any remaining balance must be returned to GPER immediately

Contact Information

Email: grants@gper.org

Address: 1117 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone: (805) 232-4479