Patient Directed Investigation Grant

The Patient Directed Investigation Grant by the Dermatology Foundation supports translational studies aimed at improving patient care in various dermatological fields. With an annual funding of $25,000, it fosters the career development of early-stage clinical investigators. Eligible applicants include those who have completed U.S. dermatology residency training and are not funded by other sources. The grant encourages diverse applicants, particularly from minority backgrounds, to contribute to vital health issues affecting underserved populations.

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. Funding is intended to enhance the career development of patient-oriented clinical investigators in the early stages of their career development.
Funding
Dermatology Foundation grants are annual awards of $25,000. They provide funding that enables recipients to initiate a research project.
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.

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. If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be eligible to apply for the Patient Directed Investigation Grant.M.D.; M.D., Ph.D.; Ph.D.; or D.O. degreeM.D.; M.D., Ph.D.; and D.O. applicants must be no greater than 12 years beyond their terminal degree, and Ph.D. candidates must be no greater than 8 years beyond their terminal degree – as of the start of the new year.
Completed training in U.S. dermatology residency program
Clinical investigator in the early stages of academic career
Project not funded from other sourcesA project involving human subjects must have IRB approval at the time funding commences.Fellowship recipients may receive NIH training grants or an equivalent grant from another granting agency.

Ineligibility

This grant is 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.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. Award funds may not be used for the payment of indirect costs, salary, or travel for the principal investigator. 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 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.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.