Childhood Eczema Prevention Research Grant

**The 2024 cycle has closed. The next request for proposals will be in early 2025.**

Overview

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD or “eczema”) is high and increasing globally, affecting up to 20% of children worldwide. Research into the causes of AD – and how to prevent it – is needed to avert future suffering. 

Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER) is a 501c3 nonprofit founded and led by parents of children with AD. A strategic focus for GPER is preventing childhood AD.

To that end, GPER is supporting targeted clinical research studies focused on preventing pediatric AD with this “Childhood Eczema Prevention Grant”. 

Focus

This Prevention Grant is intended to advance knowledge related to primary and secondary prevention of AD in childhood.  Primary prevention studies will focus on strategies for avoiding disease entirely before AD ever occurs. Secondary prevention studies will focus on screening children for early detection and diagnosis and early treatment to resolve AD and stop further progression.

GPER seeks to fund high quality scientific research that, upon completion, will be publishable in peer-reviewed publications and clinically applicable. GPER is particularly interested in funding proposals that address one or more of the following topics:

1. Gut microbiome modulation during the prenatal and postnatal period to prevent allergic conditions, particularly AD.

2. Early topical therapy in infancy aimed at the prevention of AD.

3. Patient centered research questions related to primary or secondary prevention (applicants must show evidence that the research proposal addresses and responds to patient/parent interest and concerns).

Priority will be given to proposals that focus on clinical or translational research that has implications for AD prevention in the near term, and that includes a patient-centered approach.

Proposals that include basic research will be accepted, however, they should demonstrate strong clinical relevance.

Number of Awards

Up to three (3) Prevention Grants for USD$25,000 each are available for the 2024 funding cycle.  This is a one‐year non‐renewable grant, with an expected start date of November 1, 2024.  (No cost extensions are possible in the event of delays in initiation of the project.)

Eligibility

GPER is interested in funding Principal Investigators at different stages of their career, including research doctorates, PhD students, post-docs, residents, and fellows with supervisory approval/faculty mentorship. Both individual investigators and groups consisting of multiple investigators from different institutions are eligible to apply. 

While GPER is based in the United States, applications from investigators and institutions outside of the United States are encouraged. 

To ensure that studies are relevant to patients and families, research teams should incorporate at least one individual with lived experience with AD (a parent of a child with AD).  Such involvement should span the initial setup phase of the study through the analysis of the results. Resources for patient involvement in research can be viewed here.

Budget

Applicants may request up to $25,000 (USD; direct costs only). While indirect costs are not allowed, support for salary and fringe benefits is permissible. Staff salary support should be reflective of the effort dedicated to the project and an explanation of this expense should be included in the budget justification.  PI salary support should align with the current allowable NIH salary cap. 

How to apply

Submit a one-page Letter of Intent (LOI) as a Word or PDF file to grants@gper.org by April 30th, 2024.

 The letter of intent should include:

• Title and brief description of the proposal (Maximum 500 words)

• Brief description should include research plan and name(s) and credentials of all investigators on the team: PI(s), co-I(s), consultants, consumers, and mentors (as applicable)

• Supervisory and mentor letter of support, if applicable

GPER will assess the LOIs and send an email indicating whether a full grant application is invited or not by May 30th, 2024.

Applicants who receive an invitation to submit a full proposal will be emailed the application. Completed applications must be consolidated into a single Word or PDF file and emailed to grants@gper.org.  Additionally, a cover letter (up to 2 pages) may accompany the application.

Important Dates

Letter of Intent Due: April 30th, 2024

Full Application deadline: 5:00PM PDT, July 31st, 2024 

Awards Made:  September 15th, 2024

Earliest Start Date: November 1st, 2024

Questions

Email grants@gper.org with questions about the grant, the application, or review process.

About Global Parents for Eczema Research

Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER) is a grassroots, parent-led non-profit organization that advances research and policy changes that lead to better treatments and prevention strategies for moderate to severe eczema in children. We also help patients and families with peer support and access to the latest and very best scientific information.

Our vision is a future without childhood eczema and our mission is to end the suffering of children with eczema through breakthroughs in research and family support.