Grant Submission Instructions

Proposals will be accepted from University of Pennsylvania investigators that are:

New/junior faculty investigators (defined as those who have not had R01 or equivalent funding) who
propose innovative skin research projects;
Faculty investigators proposing collaborative skin research projects that span multiple disciplines and/or the basic-translational-clinical research spectrum;
Established investigators outside the field of skin research who want to apply their expertise to this area and/or collaborate with skin researchers;
For Trainee Mini-grants: Postdoctoral scientists (MD, PhD, or MD/PhD) who are pursuing research projects that will allow them to transition to an independent faculty position incorporating skin research.
For CCSD P&F Grants: Faculty at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor proposing studies that develop and/or apply rigorous epidemiological, statistical, and/or informatics approaches to defining skin disease etiology and natural history, improving dermatology clinical practice, and community-based or population-based cutaneous health. Learn more about CCSD at: https://dermatology.upenn.edu/ccsd/ccsd_about/

All applications should include the following elements, and be submitted using the online application by August, 29 2025:

Grant title
Statement of investigator’s eligibility, including relevance of the application to scientific research areas supported by NIAMS (required)
Brief summary of proposed use of SBDRC cores
Specific Aims (1 page)
Research Strategy (2 pages) in NIH format with Significance, Innovation, and Approach sections
References
Protection of Human Subjects, Data Safety Monitoring Plan, PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report, Inclusion of Women and Minorities, Inclusion Across the Lifespan (if applicable)
Vertebrate Animals (if applicable)
Letters of Support (optional for full grants; mentor letter required for Trainee Mini-grants)
Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
Resource Sharing Plan(s) for Data, Model Organisms, Genomic Data (if relevant)
Select Agent Research (if applicable)
Budget using NIH budget page PHS 398/FP4. Include personnel and budget justification.
1. Please note that indirect costs and PI salary support are not allowable
NIH Biosketch, latest format
Follow NIH formatting guidelines, including acceptable fonts in black type and 0.5” page margins
Note: Trainee Mini-grants will also require a letter of support from the applicant’s mentor

Proposals are reviewed using the updated 3-factor framework from NIH and consideration for the following additional criteria:

Biological or clinical relevance of the project to skin biology and/or skin diseases within the scientific programs supported by NIAMS (please note, research on pre-cancerous lesions or the early stages of malignant transformation is acceptable, but not research solely focused on skin cancer);
Use of one or more of the SBDRC Cores (required for SBDRC grant applications);
Collaborative and/or multi-disciplinary aspects of project;
Feasibility of supporting future external grant proposals;
For Trainee Mini-grants: feasibility of supporting future transition to an independent research faculty position 
For CCSD P&F Grants: Additional criteria include 1) potential for results to be translated into improvements in skin health for patients and populations; 2) applications that include a PI or Co-PI with a strong record of leading epidemiological-based research in the field of dermatology will be prioritized.

Provide IACUC and IRB protocol approvals before funding start date 
Submit a 1-page interim progress report and final report
Present P&F-generated data at the Penn SBDRC Scientific Symposium (held annually in March) 
Provide annual updates on resulting grants and publications 
Participate in future SBDRC P&F Study Sections to evaluate applications

Questions regarding application submission can be directed to SBDRC@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.