It is our intent to support institution-based fellowship opportunities with a research focus on dermatologic diseases in skin of color, particularly in areas where further clinical, translational, and observational/prospective research is needed. Programs with either established or emerging areas of research focus are encouraged to apply.
The ethnic/racial demographic of the United States is in the midst of significant change.1,2 There is now an increasing demand for understanding dermatologic conditions and treatments in patients with skin of color, as well as an accompanying need for education in this growing patient population as by the year 2060, people with skin of color will represent more than half of the US population.
Physicians must be adept at recognizing and effectively treating dermatologic disease states in patients with skin of color. Inherent in effectively treating these cutaneous diseases is sufficiently understanding the pathophysiology of the condition, the patient’s viewpoint about their disease, as well as hindrances to treatment, compliance, patient satisfaction and access to leading treatment modalities. Information about the physical and psychosocial impact of a disease can also be used to guide treatment practices and appropriately address patient expectations.
There is overall limited data and research specifically on skin of color dermatologic disease. There also exist health care disparities revolving around these underrepresented minorities. Given the current dermatology workforce shortage, the increased patient load has the potential to have detrimental and adverse effects on dermatologic care for underrepresented minorities. Additional concerns include the state of dermatologic training and insufficient research involving racial/ethnic minorities. As the US demographics shift to become more racially diverse, the need to understand skin of color needs and diseases will continue to increase.
Full Proposal Deadline: August 2, 2021
Geographic Scope: United States
• Accredited, US-based academic institution.
• Do not include the name of the potential fellow(s) in application materials. This grant will be awarded to an institution, not an individual.
• Institutions with fellowship programs that include independent research and a strong mentoring program. Clinical training may be included in the program but is not required.
• No aspect of the fellowship program can benefit Pfizer’s business or a Pfizer asset.
• Examples of independent research include the following: clinical and translational, prospective, and retrospective or observational studies and outcomes research studies where the primary focus is the scientific understanding of disease; use of screening tools and their impact on improvement of patient health. o Examples of research that would not be eligible include research involving the study and/or evaluation of any pharmaceutical product and basic science and/or fundamental research (in animal model, in-vitro, etc.).
• Examples of clinical training include: educational time with an interdisciplinary team in review of case examples and relevant didactic training as well as use of tools for improvement in patient health for specific therapeutic areas or conditions.
• Fellow time spent in the clinical setting that is supported through grant funds must not be billed as patient care
Grant funding is available to support one fellow for up to one year at up to $80,000 each. The budget can only include salary and support of the fellow benefits.
