LAUNCHING SKIN CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

Since 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation has been empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Yet every year, as many as 5.4 million people in the U.S. alone are diagnosed with the world’s most common cancer. And though enormous strides have been made in treatments for all types of skin cancer — including a nearly fivefold increase in overall survival for advanced melanoma — there is still much work to do.

That’s why, for 40 years, the Foundation has been awarding research grants to early career investigators to support pilot research projects related to prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. Many of our grantees’ studies have led to important breakthroughs.

Each year, our Skin Cancer Foundation Research Grants Committee Chair David Polsky, MD, PhD, assembles a group of world-class volunteer physicians to review the applications and select the grantees. 

To be awarded:

• $50,000 Research Grant Award
• $50,000 Research Grant Award
• $25,000 Research Grant Award

Application period closes at 11:59pm (Eastern) July 14, 2024

Winners announced in September 2024.

Download application guidebook (questions and instructions)

NOTE: All applications MUST be submitted online. No faxed, mailed or emailed applications will be accepted.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• MD or PhD is required.
• Only applications for research projects relevant to skin cancer will be accepted for consideration. 
• The Skin Cancer Foundation Research Grants are intended for pilot projects, which, if successful, can be developed to the point where they are eligible for larger grants from other sources. 
• Research must be conducted by dermatology residents, fellows or investigators within 10 years of their first academic appointment. 
• Preference is given to projects that address, at the clinical and basic science levels, improved methods of prevention, detection or treatment of skin cancers.
• Applications must be conducted in, in collaboration with or under the supervision of the dermatology departments of medical or academic institutions within the United States.

Applications require the following:

• Principal Investigator Biosketch
• Project Title
• Brief summary of project (50 words or less) that a public audience can understand
• Project initiation date
• Anticipated completion date
• A budget that includes anticipated personnel, equipment and supply expenses for one year.
• Upload a document detailing the following project information (no more than five pages, excluding references and biosketches)
  1. Purpose and/or objectives
  2. Current status of work in this area
  3. Methods or procedures to be adopted
  4. Facilities available (including equipment)
  5. List of personnel who will conduct this project
  6. Biosketches of other professional staff who will conduct this project