New Opportunity for Early-Career Investigators Doing Vitiligo Research

A new partnership between the Dermatology Foundation and the Global Vitiligo Foundation (GVF) will fund a DF Career Development Award (CDA) dedicated to advancing vitiligo-focused research. The DF Research Award Program supports outstanding researchers whose forward-thinking ideas promise to shape the future of dermatology.

“Vitiligo remains one of the most psychologically devastating and therapeutically challenging conditions in dermatology.”

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease affecting more than three million Americans and 74 million people worldwide, with half of all patients developing the condition before age 20. “Vitiligo remains one of the most psychologically devastating and therapeutically challenging conditions in dermatology,” Pearl Grimes, MD, director of The Vitiligo & Pigmentation Institute of Southern California, noted.

She emphasized that the partnership marks a meaningful step forward, one that will deepen the field’s understanding of vitiligo, illuminate the mechanisms of melanocyte destruction, and accelerate the development of new therapies.

A path to independence

The CDA provides $75,000 per year for two years, paired with structured mentoring to help early-career investigators transition from fellowship to independent research. By supporting their work at this critical stage, the award aims to empower emerging scientists to push the field of vitiligo research forward.

“This new CDA has the potential to transform our ability to offer new and improved therapies for our patients,” said Janet Fairley, MD, president of the Dermatology Foundation.

In uniting their efforts, the two foundations are championing research that reflects the full human experience of vitiligo and supports a more hopeful future for patients.

Apply for a DF Career Development Award and advance your research.