NIH Highlights Rare Skin Disease Research as a Priority Area
NIH and the Society for Investigative Dermatology prioritize multidisciplinary research to advance understanding and treatment of rare skin diseases through this highlighted grant opportunity.
Funder: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Due Dates: April 2, 2028 (highlighted topic expiration)
Funding Amounts: Budget and duration determined by the selected NIH parent FOA; typical NIH R01 budgets apply (e.g., up to $500,000/year in direct costs, 3–5 years).
Summary: NIH encourages multidisciplinary research to advance understanding and treatment of rare skin diseases, with applications submitted via relevant NIH parent opportunities by April 2, 2028.
Key Information: Apply through NIH parent FOAs; this is a highlighted topic, not a separate NOFO.
Description
This initiative, promoted by the Society for Investigative Dermatology and led by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and other NIH institutes, highlights rare skin disease research as a priority area. It seeks to stimulate investigator-initiated projects that address the urgent gaps in knowledge and treatment for rare skin disorders. The topic welcomes multidisciplinary research spanning basic, translational, and clinical sciences, focusing on environmental triggers, biomarkers, disease models, genetic causes, molecular pathways, cross-disease therapies, drug repurposing, and advanced interventions such as cell and gene therapy. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate across disciplines to accelerate the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for a broad array of rare skin diseases.
