Dermatologist Investigator Research Fellowship Grant

The Dermatology Foundation's Dermatologist Investigator Research Fellowship offers $30,000 to advance early-career researchers in dermatology. This fellowship is designed for dermatologists committed to an academic career in medical and surgical dermatology. It supports research training for those with substantial experience in other fields transitioning to skin research. Eligible candidates must meet specific educational and training criteria, ensuring focused dedication to cutaneous research while adhering to funding guidelines.

The Dermatology Foundation offers a fellowship that is intended to advance the research careers of individuals in the early stages of career development. Each awarded fellowship, in the amount of $30,000, provides an annual salary stipend and is not intended for faculty. The award may only be supplemented by department funds, NIH training grants, mentors’ R01/P01 grants, and other granting agencies providing support equivalent to a training grant.
This fellowship supports dermatologists who desire research training and have a commitment to an academic career in medical and surgical dermatology. Consideration will also be given to individuals with substantial training in other areas who are entering into skin research. Applicants may NOT apply simultaneously for this award and a Foundation grant.

Eligibility

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.Must have MD; MD, PhD; or DO degree.Must have completed training in a 3-year U.S dermatology residency program OR completed one year of 4-year U.S. dermatology residency program and will be in lab or research year during award period.Must devote 75% of time to cutaneous research.Mentor has an academic appointment in dermatology or another program at the sponsoring institution that is approved by the dermatology chair.May only receive simultaneous salary support from department funds, NIH training grants, mentors’ R01/P01 grants, and other granting agencies providing support equivalent to a training grant.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.

Ineligibility

Award funds cannot be used for payment of indirect costs.Assistant Professor or above is not eligible.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. ORThe 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.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.