Research We Fund

The National Eczema Association (NEA) is the leading nonprofit funder of eczema research. For over 20 years, NEA has funded research to improve the health and quality of life for people with all forms of eczema. The goal of our grant program is to increase the number of scientists, research projects and research dollars devoted to eczema — which may lead to better therapies, better care, better outcomes — and one day, potentially a cure.

Since awarding our first grant in 2004, we have awarded over $4.4 million to date. NEA grants have been distributed to over 60 individual researchers at more than 40 different institutions globally.

Publications from our grants have supported a deeper understanding of the symptoms, comorbidities and burdens of eczema, provided insights into new treatment strategies, and furthered the ability to improve care and prevention. To date, NEA-funded research has been cited more than 5,500 times.

And most importantly, more than one-third of NEA grant awardees have subsequently received National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support further research.

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NEA funds cutting-edge research in adult and pediatric eczema. What we fund and provide grants for is guided by five research priorities established by NEA’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Council. Here are the five guiding principles for our grant funding:

1. Cutting-edge basic and translational science

Innovative investigations of targets, pathways or technologies that will advance understanding of the pathophysiology or natural history of eczema and potentially lead to novel or enhanced therapeutic/preventative areas of exploration or application.

2. Eczema heterogeneity: Novel insights

Projects aimed at advancing understanding of the underlying factors contributing to the diversity of eczema clinical presentation, treatment response and comorbidities.

3. Innovations in clinical practice and care

Studies addressing approaches to facilitate optimal identification and treatment of eczema and associated comorbidities in all healthcare settings to enhance patient-reported and patient-centric outcomes.

4. Understanding and alleviating disease burden

Insightful proposals that identify, quantify or aim to reduce aspects of eczema burden that negatively affect patient or family/caregiver quality of life (including lifestyle, academic/occupational or economic impacts) based on patient population, treatment approach, etc.

5. Eczema prevention

Novel investigations into the potential risk factors and strategies of primary eczema prevention at all ages.

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NEA offers five types of grants every year. Each grant type has its own eligibility criteria and funding budget. Here is a breakdown of NEA grants that researchers can apply for:

Grant Name	Budget	Summary	Grant Details
NEA Engagement Grant	Up to $5,000	Fuels early-stage ideas by supporting emerging investigators in testing new concepts, piloting experiments, or exploring novel data analyses.	Find grant details and eligibility criteria.
NEA Catalyst Grant	Up to $50,000	Accelerates the careers of early-career scientists through hypothesis-driven research that lays the foundation for future breakthroughs.	Find grant details and eligibility criteria.
NEA Spotlight Grant	Up to $60,000	Targets key areas of strategic importance in eczema research to drive meaningful progress in treatment and care.	Find grant details and eligibility criteria.
NEA Champion Grant	Up to $100,000	Empowers established researchers to tackle pressing challenges or apply their expertise to advance eczema research at the highest level.	Find grant details and eligibility criteria.
Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant	Up to $50,000	Advances pediatric eczema research in collaboration with PeDRA, supporting early and mid-career investigators committed to improving children’s health.	Find grant details and eligibility criteria.

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NEA research grants are offered once a year.Applications are typically open from late spring until late summer. Decisions are typically sent out the following winter.

Here is the application timeline for the 2025 funding cycle:

Applications Open	Applications Close	Award Decision	Award Cycle
May 7, 2025	August 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. PST	Grant awardee and rejection letters will be sent by February 2, 2026	Award cycle runs from March 2, 2026 – March 2, 2027

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Each grant type has its own eligibility criteria and funding budget. To find details on the purpose and goal of each grant, as well as who is eligible to apply, please visit the Grant Details and Eligibility Criteria webpage.

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Find detailed application instructions on the Apply for a Grant webpage. You can download the grant application and submit your completed application through the online form.