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Early Career Award

National Alopecia Areata Foundation

NAAF’s Early Career Award seeks to support junior investigators entering the alopecia areata research space with funds to support critical research questions. The goals of the program are to support individuals early in their career, to encourage interest and commitment to alopecia areata as a research focus, and to bring new voices and ideas to the alopecia areata research community. Applications related to all aspects of alopecia areata are strongly encouraged, including basic science, translational research, technology, epidemiology, health services, and clinical research. Previously funded projects are listed here.

Investigators with innovative research ideas are encouraged to apply. Priority consideration will be given to individuals who have not received NAAF grant funding in the past and to proposals that address one or more of the following areas of interest:

Development of patient-reported outcome measures specific to AA
Basic science research to advance understanding of the pathophysiology of AA, including investigations of pathways/targets that could lead to new therapies, and development/ characterization of new animal models
Secondary analysis of NIH’s All of Us data set
Comorbid diseases: Impact and treatment considerations/ strategies
Investigations to improve understanding of disease triggers
Advances in treatment or tools for treatment decision-making by patients and families
Elucidation of the burden of alopecia areata on patients and families, including the psychosocial impact

Awards
The Early Career Award is a 2-year, non-renewable award with an expected start date of 1/15/27. Applicants may request up to $150,000 ($75,000 per year over two years.) Applicants may request direct costs only. Indirect costs are not allowed on NAAF grants.

How to apply
NEW this year: Applications will be submitted via ProposalCentral. Application link will be available soon.

Important Dates

Application deadline:                11:59 PM PT, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Award announcement:            anticipated on or before December 31, 2026
Earliest start date:                     January 15, 2027

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong alignment with NAAF research priorities (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important criterion.

Competitive proposals should directly address one or more NAAF priority areas, including:

Pathophysiology of alopecia areata
Disease mechanisms
New therapeutic targets
Development of animal models
Disease triggers
Biomarker discovery
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures
Psychosocial burden of alopecia areata
Comorbid diseases
Treatment decision-support tools
Epidemiology and health services research

Projects aligned with these priority areas receive preferential consideration.

2. Scientific excellence and innovation (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

NAAF encourages innovative research across all areas of alopecia areata.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate:

Novel hypotheses
Original scientific concepts
Innovative methodologies
New technologies
Creative approaches to understanding or treating AA

Innovation is emphasized across both Research Grants and Early Career Awards.

3. Potential to improve understanding or treatment of alopecia areata (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful proposals should demonstrate potential to:

Improve disease understanding
Advance diagnosis
Develop safer and more effective treatments
Improve treatment decision-making
Enhance quality of life
Contribute toward a future cure

Projects with a clear pathway to patient benefit receive strong consideration.

4. Rigorous methodology and feasibility (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications include:

Clearly defined research aims
Robust study design
Appropriate statistical analyses
Realistic timelines
Feasible milestones
Reproducible methods

Applications should demonstrate that the project can be completed successfully within the award period.

5. Focus on high-priority unmet needs (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

NAAF gives priority to projects addressing important unmet needs such as:

Disease triggers
Psychosocial burden
Pediatric alopecia areata
Comorbid conditions
Patient-reported outcomes
Novel therapeutic targets
Clinical decision-support tools

Research that addresses these gaps is particularly competitive.

6. Support for early-career investigators (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

A defining feature of NAAF is its investment in early-career researchers.

Priority is given to:

Junior investigators
New investigators entering alopecia areata research
Applicants without previous NAAF funding (for Early Career Awards)
Researchers establishing independent AA research programs

The Foundation aims to bring new investigators and ideas into the field.

7. Investigator expertise and research environment (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers evaluate:

Scientific expertise
Publication record
Research experience
Institutional support
Laboratory or clinical infrastructure
Mentorship (for trainee-focused awards)

A strong research environment increases confidence in project success.

8. Patient-centered research and quality-of-life impact (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

NAAF places considerable emphasis on research that addresses:

Patient experiences
Family impact
Quality of life
Psychosocial outcomes
Shared decision-making
Patient-reported outcomes

Projects that incorporate the patient perspective align well with Foundation priorities.

9. Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and collaboration (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

For programs such as the Pediatric Alopecia Areata Challenge Grant, additional consideration is given to:

Projects supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion
Collaborations with senior mentors
Partnerships with pediatric dermatology researchers
Multidisciplinary research teams

These factors can strengthen competitiveness when applicable.

10. Well-prepared application and compliance with funding requirements (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Successful applications include:

Complete documentation
Appropriate budget
Required IRB/IACUC approvals (when applicable)
Compliance with eligibility requirements
Timely submission

Well-organized and compliant applications are more likely to progress successfully through review.

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Public Health

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must hold the degree of MD, DO, and/or PhD (or equivalent) and be eligible to apply for grants under the guidelines of their host institution.
Eligible applicants may not have current or previous NIH R series funding as PI or Co-PI on an alopecia areata-focused project.
Priority consideration will be given to individuals who have not received NAAF grant funding in the past.
Investigators and institutions throughout the world are welcome to apply.
Evidence of IRB or IACUC (or equivalent) approval is required as applicable.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1500 Grant Ave Suite 242 Novato, CA 94945

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