The National Alopecia Areata Foundation offers competitive awards and grants to members of the research and medical community who help advance alopecia areata research and care. Our grants support investigators at every professional stage and include opportunities specifically designed to help talented young scientists establish careers in alopecia areata research. Applications related to all aspects of alopecia areata are strongly encouraged, including basic science, translational research, technology, epidemiology, health services, and clinical research. Applications undergo a rigorous scientific review by a panel of experts and are then selected for funding based on patient input and Foundation priorities. Applicants are encouraged to review NAAF’s conditions for award prior to submitting an application.
Follow this page for updates on open grant opportunities. To be placed on NAAF’s email list for grant anouncements, enter your email address here or contact Lisa Anderson, PhD, Senior Director of Research, via email.
For more information on current grants, see below. Click here to learn about our funded projects. Learn about types of grants offered in past application cycles here.
NAAF Travel Grants help early career researchers cover the cost of attending a scientific conference or meeting to present research related to alopecia areata. Meetings of particular interest include: the Society for Investigative Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology, World Congress of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress, and other relevant meetings in immunology, skin, and hair research.
Applicant Eligibility: To be considered for this award, you must be a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or a newer MD and/or PhD within two years of receiving degree or any postdoctoral training. You must have an alopecia areata-related abstract accepted for oral or poster presentation at the meeting and attend the conference in its entirety. Note: the number of travel awards to any one research group or laboratory may be limited to encourage broad participation.
International applicants not residing in the United States may be considered if they meet the eligibility criteria above AND are presenting their research at a conference in the United States. Please note that NAAF will not sponsor visas or other travel requirements for international applicants attending a conference in the United States.
Award Amounts: For applicants residing in the United States: Awards of up to $1,250 for travel to a conference within the United States and $1,750 for travel to an international conference not held in the United States are available to qualified applicants.
For applicants not residing in the United States: Awards of up to $1,750 for international travel to a conference held in the United States are available to qualified applicants.
Terms: Travel grants may only be used to cover registration, travel, and accommodation. Individuals may receive no more than one travel grant award per calendar year.
Deadline: Travel Grant applications must be received by NAAF at least 30 days prior to the anticipated meeting to be considered. Exceptions may be made for late-breaking abstract acceptances. Applications must include a copy of the abstract submitted, a copy of the letter or e-mail confirming acceptance of presentation or poster, and a bio sketch or CV of the presenter. International applicants must provide confirmation of visa permitting them to travel to the United States to present at the conference for which they are seeking support.
Download the application and instructions: 2025 Travel Grant Application
Email completed applications to grants@naaf.org.
NAAF’s new 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.
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:
• 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 • 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
Eligibility
Awards The Early Career Award is a 2-year, non-renewable award with an expected start date of 1/15/25. Applicants may request up to $100,000 ($50,000 per year over two years.) Applicants may request direct costs only. Indirect costs are not allowed on NAAF grants.
How to apply Review and download the 2024 NAAF Early Career Award Application for specific instructions. Applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF file to grants@naaf.org. Applications must be written in Arial or Calibri font 11pt or larger with at least one-half inch margins.
Important Dates
Questions
Email Lisa Anderson, PhD, Senior Director of Research, at lisa@naaf.org for additional information or with any questions on the NAAF Early Career Award application or review process.
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. 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.
Awards Multiple awards are available for the 2024 funding cycle. NAAF Research Grants are 1-year, non-renewable awards with an expected start date of 1/15/25. Applicants may request up to $50,000 (direct costs only). Indirect costs are not allowed on NAAF research grant awards.
Eligibility 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.
How to apply Review and download the 2024 NAAF Research Grant Application for specific instructions. Applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF file to grants@naaf.org. Applications must be written in Arial or Calibri font 11pt or larger with at least one-half inch margins.
Questions Email Lisa Anderson, PhD, Senior Director of Research, for additional information or with any questions on the NAAF Research Grant application or review process.
In collaboration with the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), NAAF is pleased to offer a grant opportunity for research explorations focused on pediatric alopecia areata.
Overview
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes on other areas of the body, and affects as many as 160 million people worldwide. Nearly half of patients experience their first episode of alopecia areata before age 20. A diagnosis early in life is linked to higher disease severity, making pediatric alopecia areata an important target for research and therapeutic intervention. To date, there is only one FDA-approved treatment for adolescents ages 12 and up, limiting effective treatment options for most pediatric patients. The burdens on these patients and their families are significant and many important research questions remain unanswered.
To address this need, NAAF and PeDRA are collaborating to support research investigations focused on pediatric alopecia areata with the Pediatric Alopecia Areata Challenge Grant. Through this grant, NAAF and PeDRA intend to accelerate research that improves the lives of pediatric alopecia areata patients and their families.
Focus
This Challenge Grant is intended to stimulate scientists to establish or sustain research programs focused on pediatric alopecia areata. Investigators with any innovative research idea are encouraged to apply for the challenge grant, with priority consideration given to proposals that address one or more of the following areas of interest:
• Investigations of targets or pathways that will advance understanding of the pathophysiology of pediatric AA • Investigations of epidemiology or the natural history of pediatric AA • Elucidation of the burden of pediatric alopecia areata on patients and families including the psychosocial impact • Advances in treatment or tools for treatment decision-making by patients and families
Priority consideration will be given to projects led by early-to-mid career principal investigators collaborating with senior mentors and projects that address high-priority research questions. Additional priority will be given to applications that support NAAF and PeDRA’s commitments to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across all facets of their organizations and the research they support.
Important Details
• Basic science research to advance understanding of the pathophysiology of AA, including investigations of pathways or targets that could lead to new therapies • 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 2023 funding cycle. NAAF Research Grants are 1-year, non-renewable awards with an expected start date of 1/15/24. Applicants may request up to $50,000 (direct costs only). Indirect costs are not allowed on NAAF research grant awards.
How to apply Review and download the 2023 NAAF Research Grant Application for specific instructions. Applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF file to grants@naaf.org. Applications must be written in Arial or Calibri font 11pt or larger with at least one-half inch margins.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes on other areas of the body, and affects as many as 160 million people worldwide. Nearly half of patients experience their first episode of alopecia areata before age 20. A diagnosis early in life is linked to higher disease severity and poorer prognosis, making pediatric alopecia areata an important target for research and therapeutic intervention. Despite recent advances, there are no FDA-approved treatments for pediatric alopecia areata. The burdens on these patients, and their families, can be significant and many important research questions remain unanswered.
