Not Verified

Research Grants

National Alopecia Areata Foundation

NAAF Research Grants support scientists and clinicians pursuing promising research ideas and innovative projects that will improve understanding of the disease and advance the development or discovery of safe and effective treatments, and potentially a cure for alopecia areata. Applications related to all aspects of alopecia areata are strongly encouraged, including basic science, translational research, technology, epidemiology, health services, and clinical research.

NAAF is committed to supporting seasoned experts in alopecia areata research and treatment, as well as young scientists and clinicians building careers to become high-caliber, independent researchers with an enduring focus on research relevant to alopecia areata. Applications undergo a rigorous scientific review by a panel of experts and are then selected for funding based on NAAF priorities.

Through the Research Grants program, NAAF encourages investigations that contribute new information to the understanding of alopecia areata (AA). Investigators with innovative research ideas are encouraged to apply. Priority consideration will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following areas of interest.

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
Development of patient-reported outcome measures specific to AA
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

Multiple awards are available for the 2026 funding cycle. NAAF Research Grants are 1-year, non-renewable awards with an expected start date of 1/15/27. Applicants may request up to $75,000 (direct costs only). Indirect costs are not allowed on NAAF research grant awards.

Applications may also be considered for the Pediatric Alopecia Areata Challenge Grant if the proposed project aligns with that program.

How to apply
NEW this year: Applications will be submitted via ProposalCentral. Note that you will required to create an account in ProposalCentral if you do not already have one.

Important Dates
Application deadline: 11:59 PM PT, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Awards 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. Investigators and institutions throughout the world are welcome to apply. Evidence of IRB or IACUC (or equivalent) approval is required for all studies when relevant. Recipients of past or current NAAF grants are eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1500 Grant Ave Suite 242 Novato, CA 94945

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity