Run in partnership with HS Connect and the HS Foundation.

Overview

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population, and affects most patients in the prime of their life while also impacting many children. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

While the physical symptoms of HS are well-documented, the mental health implications for children and adolescents—such as increased risks of depression, anxiety, and social isolation—remain underexplored. Research focused on this age group is essential to alleviate both the emotional distress and the physical burden of HS. The burden on these vulnerable populations is severe, the gravity of decisions regarding long-term disease progression and management significant, and the consequences of psychological and social impairment devastating.

To address these needs, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2025 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant with the focus on the mental health burden on the pediatric and/or adolescent HS patients.

Focus

Proposals should address research questions that focus on the mental health burden of the pediatric and/or adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa. Proposals may be submitted by a single principal investigator or team of investigators, as they seek to build and sustain a larger scale research program within this critical field of study. Areas of interest within the primary focus include, but are not limited to:

• Understanding the quality of life and psychosocial impact HS has on patients, including self-esteem, body image, school attendance, academic performance, and bullying.
• Understanding the psychological and psychiatric comorbidities of HS and the prevalence/severity of depression, anxiety, and more.
• Understanding the impact of HS on family and caregivers.

Projects may be conducted in the areas of basic science, translational research, clinical research, epidemiology, or technology. Priority consideration will be given to projects led by early-to-mid career principal investigators who are part of multidisciplinary teams including researchers, clinicians, and patient stakeholders.

Important Details

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle
• Earliest project start date: January 1, 2026
• Application deadline: Thursday, July 31, 2025