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The Skin Cancer Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M
Decision Time
7mo
Success Rate
15%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $125,000 (in research grants)
  • Success Rate: ~15% (3 awards from approximately 20 applications)
  • Decision Time: 6-8 months (application to announcement)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States only
  • Application Cycle: Biennial (opens May for the following year)

Contact Details

Headquarters: The Skin Cancer Foundation 205 Lexington Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10016

Phone:

  • Main: (212) 725-5176
  • Toll-free: (800) 754-6490

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.skincancer.org

Research Grants Portal: skincancerfoundation.smapply.io

Overview

The Skin Cancer Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit in New York State in 1977 and began its Research Grants Program in 1981. Since inception, the program has funded more than $2 million in research grants supporting early career investigators in dermatology. The Foundation's mission focuses on conducting public and medical education programs regarding the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of skin cancer, while supporting pioneering research in prevention, detection, and treatment. The Foundation awards three named research grants annually totaling $125,000, specifically targeting Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) in their first decade of academic careers. Many early career investigators have used their SCF grants to launch studies that ultimately led to significant advances including FDA-approved therapies and high-impact publications. The organization maintains 501(c)(3) status and reports that 75% of its funds go directly toward lifesaving programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants Program (Annual)

  • Todd Nagel Memorial Research Grant Award: $50,000 for one-year pilot project
  • Ashley Trenner Research Grant Award: $50,000 for one-year pilot project
  • Dr. Marcia Robbins-Wilf Research Grant Award: $25,000 for one-year pilot project
  • Application method: Online portal (opens May for grants awarded the following year)

Priority Areas

The Foundation gives preference to projects that address, at the clinical and basic science levels:

  • Prevention of skin cancers: Studies investigating preventive strategies and interventions
  • Detection methods: Research improving early detection and diagnostic techniques
  • Treatment approaches: Novel therapeutic approaches and treatment protocols
  • Immunosuppression effects: Studies on organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed populations
  • Melanoma immunotherapy: Research on durable immune responses and checkpoint therapy
  • Epigenetic mechanisms: Understanding genetic and epigenetic drivers of skin cancer

The grants are specifically intended for pilot projects which, if successful, can be developed to the point where they are eligible for larger grants from other sources such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects conducted outside the United States
  • Investigators more than 10 years post-first academic appointment
  • Research not affiliated with U.S. medical or academic dermatology departments
  • Multi-year projects (grants are for one-year periods only)
  • Non-dermatology research

Governance and Leadership

President: Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD - Clinical Professor at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of Dermatologic Surgery at Cosmetique Dermatology, Laser & Plastic Surgery, LLP

Chairman of the Board: Dr. Perry Robins, MD - Founder of the organization

Senior Vice President: Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, MD

Executive Director: Becky Kamowitz - Oversees day-to-day operations and program implementation

Research Grants Committee Chair: Dr. David Polsky, MD, PhD - Longtime committee chair who assembles a group of world-class volunteer physicians to review grant applications. Dr. Polsky is a New York City dermatologist whose own positive experience with the Research Grants program led him to serve on and eventually chair the committee.

The Board of Directors comprises primarily medical professionals, especially dermatologists, along with legal professionals including Elizabeth Robins, Esq. and Bennett Weiner, Esq. The Foundation relies heavily on collaboration with physicians, corporate partners (approximately 100 companies in the Corporate Council), donors, and volunteers. The organization also maintains a Photobiology Committee that reviews scientific data for product recommendations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a dermatology resident, fellow, or investigator
  • Within 10 years of first academic appointment
  • Project must be conducted in, in collaboration with, or under the supervision of dermatology departments of medical or academic institutions in the United States

Application Process:

  1. Applications open in May (for grants to be awarded the following year)
  2. Submit proposals online via skincancerfoundation.smapply.io
  3. Applications must include departmental endorsement letter from dermatology department chair or division head
  4. Only online applications accepted (no faxed, mailed, or emailed applications)
  5. Application guidebook available with detailed questions and instructions

Required Components:

  • One-year project proposal addressing prevention, detection, or treatment of skin cancer
  • Letter of support from dermatology department chair/division head endorsing the project and confirming departmental supervision
  • Documentation of lab infrastructure and mentorship arrangements
  • Demonstration of scientific merit, innovation, and potential impact

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period Opens: May (biennial cycle)
  • Application Deadline: Typically late summer/early fall
  • Review Period: Applications evaluated by volunteer committee led by Dr. David Polsky
  • Announcement: October of the application year
  • Timeline: Approximately 6-8 months from application deadline to announcement

Committee members are chosen each year based on the applicant pool, and the review process is managed to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Success Rates

Based on recent cycles, approximately 3 grants are awarded from an estimated 20 applications, suggesting a success rate of approximately 15%. The competitive nature of the program reflects its focus on funding only the highest-quality pilot projects with significant potential impact.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. There is no documented waiting period or restriction on reapplication. Given the biennial application cycle (opening every two years), applicants would need to wait approximately two years between application opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria: Applications are evaluated on four primary criteria:

  1. Scientific merit - Quality and rigor of the research design
  2. Innovation - Novelty of the research approach
  3. Potential impact - Expected contribution to the field
  4. Relevance to mission - Alignment with Foundation's prevention, detection, and treatment goals

Strengthening Your Application:

According to the Foundation's guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

  • Active departmental endorsement - Strong letters of support from department leadership
  • Lab infrastructure - Access to necessary facilities and resources
  • Clear mentorship - Established mentorship arrangements with experienced investigators
  • Pilot study design - Projects structured to generate preliminary data for larger grant applications
  • Clinical or basic science focus - Clear connection to improved prevention, detection, or treatment methods

Recent Funded Projects (Examples):

  • 2024: Andrew Ji, PhD - "Immunosuppression and Macrophage Interactions in the Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma" examining how macrophages may be affected by immunosuppression regimens in organ transplant recipients
  • 2023: Goran Micevic, MD, PhD - "Elucidating and Enhancing Durable Immune Responses to Melanoma" identifying epigenetic drivers of durable responses to checkpoint therapy
  • 2023: Riley McLean-Mandell, MD - Study on the effect of immunosuppression on cutaneous malignancies in organ transplant recipients using noninvasive blistering techniques

Program Philosophy:

The Foundation designs grants specifically for Early Stage Investigators who can leverage the funding to launch their research careers. Dr. David Polsky, the Research Grants Committee Chair, emphasizes that the program aims to plant seeds that will grow into larger research initiatives. Historically, funded projects have produced significant breakthroughs, including FDA-approved therapies and high-impact publications. Success stories include past awardee Dr. Jesse M. Lewin, who has since become a faculty member at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and an enthusiastic fundraiser for the Foundation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target Early Career Researchers Only: The program exclusively funds dermatology residents, fellows, and investigators within 10 years of first academic appointment - do not apply if beyond this career stage
  • Design as a Pilot Study: Grants are specifically intended as seed funding for pilot projects that can generate preliminary data for larger NIH or foundation grants - frame your proposal accordingly
  • Secure Strong Departmental Support: Active departmental endorsement from your chair/division head is critical to success, along with documented access to lab infrastructure and clear mentorship
  • Emphasize Innovation and Impact: The review committee prioritizes scientific merit, innovation, potential impact, and relevance to skin cancer prevention/detection/treatment - address all four criteria explicitly
  • Plan for the Timeline: With a biennial application cycle opening in May and decisions announced in October of the following year, plan your research timeline accordingly (approximately 6-8 months from application to decision)
  • Study Past Recipients: Review recent press releases announcing grant recipients to understand the types of projects and research questions the Foundation values - topics like immunosuppression effects, melanoma immunotherapy, and novel detection methods have been recently funded
  • Leverage the Opportunity: Past awardees have used SCF grants as launching pads for successful academic careers - position your application as the beginning of a long-term research trajectory in dermatologic oncology

References

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