Overview
Childhood skin diseases are associated with a severe burden on patients, families, and healthcare providers. Despite this burden, effective treatments remain sparse, and the pace of research remains slow. To help overcome these challenges while developing the next generation of leaders in the field, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) is offering the Emerging Investigator Research Grants (EIRG) program to support short-term (12-week maximum) mentored research experiences for medical students and pediatric residents to conduct projects relevant to pediatric dermatology. The expectation is that awardees will complete EIRG projects during the summer (e.g., between MS1 and MS2) or another suitable time that is mutually agreed upon with a project mentor.
Goals
The EIRG program is driven by PeDRA’s mission to create, inspire, and sustain research to prevent, treat, and cure childhood skin disease. Grants are intended to support a focused research experience that equips awardees with valuable skills and relationships, fosters interest in pediatric dermatology from a diverse cohort of applicants, and contributes meaningful research outcomes to the field of pediatric dermatology.
Priority consideration will be given to projects that address high-priority patient-centered research questions and projects that align with the focus of any of PeDRA’s Focused Study Groups. While applications are strongly encouraged from any eligible applicant conducting any relevant research, additional priority will be given to applications that support PeDRA’s commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all facets of its organization and pediatric dermatology research. This includes projects dedicated to EDI-relevant topics and mentors and mentees from populations who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). Diversity and inclusion strengthen the PeDRA research network and are critical to the pursuit of its mission.
Important Details
- Eligibility criteria can be found on the EIRG RFA.
- Awardees will receive $4,000 to support an in-person project or $1,500 to support a remote project, plus $1,000 to support travel to attend the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference.
- Applications can be submitted for the following deadlines:
- February 2, 2023
- May 4, 2023
- August 3, 2023
Nominate Your Mentor for a PeDRA Award
Do you want to recognize your mentor for their incredible guidance and support? We are currently seeking nominations for Mentor of the Year, along with Volunteer of the Year, and Community Member of the Year. Nominations are due August 10, 2023.
Previous EIRG Recipients


Kaylin Beiter, PhD & Anna Cristina Garza-Mayers, MD, PhD
2023 Emerging Investigator Research Grant
Massachusetts General Hospital
Geomapping of Pediatric Dermatologists: A practical intervention towards health equity