Verified

William Weston Career Development Award

Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance

Childhood skin diseases are associated with severe burden on patients, families, and health care providers. Despite this burden, effective treatments are sparse, the pace of research is slow, and board-certified pediatric dermatologists remain few-in-number. To support the development of the next generation of clinician scientists in the field, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), together with the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD), is offering the William Weston Career Development Award (Weston CDA) to support one early career investigator in the conduct of an innovative research study under the direction of a senior mentor. Applications may be submitted by a pediatric dermatologist no more than seven years out of training for $40,000 per year to support salary and research activities for up to two years.

Goals

The Weston CDA is driven by PeDRA’s and SPD’s commitment to support both research and researchers in the field of pediatric dermatology. It is intended to provide protected research time, resources, and expert mentorship for an early career clinician scientist. Ultimately, the Weston CDA is expected to help position the recipient for a long-term career in the field with the potential to obtain funding from the Dermatology Foundation, NIH, or other agencies in future.

Important Details

$40,000 per year for up to two years of support for early-career pediatric dermatologists
To support the conduct of a research project under the mentorship of a senior investigator
Application deadline: Thursday, September 17, 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct relevance to pediatric dermatology (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important criterion.

Competitive proposals should focus on childhood skin diseases, such as:

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Pediatric psoriasis
Birthmarks and vascular anomalies
Ichthyosis
Epidermolysis bullosa
Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa
Pigmentary disorders
Genetic skin diseases
Pediatric skin infections
Autoimmune skin disorders
Pediatric skin tumors

Projects outside pediatric dermatology are generally not competitive.

2. Innovation and early-stage research (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

PeDRA specifically supports early-stage research projects where preliminary data may be limited.

Competitive proposals should include:

Novel hypotheses
Innovative methodologies
New diagnostic tools
Precision medicine
Translational science
Emerging technologies
Digital dermatology
AI-assisted dermatology
New therapeutic strategies

The goal is to generate new ideas that can lead to larger externally funded studies.

3. Strong potential to improve pediatric skin health (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive projects should demonstrate potential to:

Improve diagnosis
Develop better treatments
Improve quality of life
Reduce disease burden
Improve long-term outcomes
Advance standards of care

Research with clear patient benefit receives strong consideration.

4. Scientific excellence and rigorous methodology (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications include:

Clearly defined hypotheses
Robust study design
Appropriate statistical analysis
Feasible methodology
Clearly defined outcomes
Realistic milestones

Methodological rigor is essential for successful peer review.

5. Potential to generate preliminary data for larger grants (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

A defining feature of PeDRA Research Grants is that they are intended to support projects that:

Generate pilot data
Build research infrastructure
Support future NIH or foundation applications
Lead to multicenter studies

Applications should explain how the project will position investigators for larger external funding.

6. Collaboration and multidisciplinary research (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

PeDRA encourages collaboration among:

Pediatric dermatologists
Dermatologists
Pediatricians
Basic scientists
Geneticists
Immunologists
Epidemiologists
Biostatisticians
Patient advocacy organizations

Multi-institutional collaborations are welcomed and strengthen proposals.

7. Meaningful patient advocacy and community engagement (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

One of PeDRA's distinctive priorities is patient engagement.

Priority consideration is given to projects that demonstrate:

Meaningful collaboration with patient advocacy groups
Sustained engagement with patients and families
Patient-centered research questions
Incorporation of patient perspectives throughout the project

This is explicitly highlighted in the Emerging Investigator Research Grants (EIRG) program.

8. Alignment with PeDRA Focused Study Groups and strategic priorities (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals align with:

PeDRA Focused Study Groups
Existing research initiatives
Strategic research priorities
Disease-specific collaborative networks

Projects that fit ongoing PeDRA initiatives receive additional priority.

9. Early-career investigator development and mentorship (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

PeDRA places strong emphasis on developing future pediatric dermatology researchers.

Competitive applicants should demonstrate:

Strong mentorship
Career development potential
Commitment to pediatric dermatology research
Appropriate research training

Programs such as the Emerging Investigator Research Grants are specifically designed for medical students, pediatric residents, and recent graduates.

10. Feasible budget, dissemination, and compliance (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals include:

Realistic budgets
Appropriate project timelines
Clear dissemination plans
Publication strategy
Compliance with PeDRA grant policies

Awardees are expected to acknowledge PeDRA support in publications and presentations, and indirect costs are generally not allowed.

Specialties

Dermatology

Pediatrics

Eligibility Requirements

Must be met on or before July 1st, 2027 Applicant:

• Must be a pediatric dermatologist residing in the United States or Canada

• Must be a current member of PeDRA and/or SPD with membership held at least one (1) year

• MD; DO; MD, PhD; or equivalent

• Must be a faculty member in a department/division of dermatology, or fellow with a letter of commitment to be on faculty during the award period.

• Must be an early career investigator, defined as being no more than seven (7) years out of training. Special exceptions may be made for cases such as maternity leave or military service – please email us with any questions about eligibility.

• Must not be a recipient of another federally funded career development award. Those who have also applied for a Dermatology Foundation CDA are welcome to apply but will be ineligible for a Weston CDA if awarded a Dermatology Foundation CDA. Mentor:

• Must have an academic appointment in dermatology or another program at the sponsoring institution that is approved by the dermatology chair

• Need not be a member of PeDRA and/or SPD

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 205 SE Spokane St., Suite 300 Portland, OR 97202

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