2026 Early Career Award

About this program

The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) offers a two-year, non-renewable Early Career Award to support junior investigators pursuing innovative research across all aspects of alopecia areata. Awards provide up to $150,000 in direct costs ($75,000 annually), with priority given to new NAAF applicants and research addressing designated scientific, clinical, psychosocial, or treatment-related priorities. Applicants must hold an MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent degree and be eligible through their host institution; investigators worldwide may apply. Applicants may not have current or prior NIH R-series funding as a PI or co-PI on an alopecia areata-focused project, and applicable IRB/IACUC approval is required.