SOCS Career Development Award

About this program

The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Career Development Award offers up to $100,000 (non‑renewable) to support clinical, translational, or basic research on inflammatory dermatologic diseases in skin of color, with funds usable over a two‑year period and the award term beginning April 1. Award funds exclude indirect costs, travel, IRB fees, and capital equipment; direct salary support is allowed if the applicant commits at least 50% effort to research, and IRB approval must be submitted or pending at application and maintained during the award. Eligible applicants are SOCS members with MD/MD‑PhD/DO/PhD degrees who hold a primary faculty appointment in a U.S. dermatology department, are within 12 years of completing postgraduate training, and have an established or emerging research track record and commitment to skin‑of‑color research; applicants must serve as PI and obtain strong institutional and mentor support including a Chair’s letter. Application opens October 2026 and requires online submission of an application packet including NIH biosketches, research proposal, budget, mentor letter, and department Chair comments.