9 June 2023
The LEO Foundation launches a new fellowship program for talented emerging research leaders establishing themselves in the field of skin and skin diseases.
The LEO Foundation is proud to introduce the LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowships program. The Fellowships program is named after Dr.h.c. Knud E Abildgaard, the founder of the LEO Foundation.
With the program, the LEO Foundation supports talented emerging research leaders who are ready to establish or expand their own research group at an independent Danish research institution. The Dr Abildgaard Fellowships offer stable funding of DKK 12 million (EUR 1.6 million), distributed over a five-year period.
By providing this opportunity, the LEO Foundation aims to develop and strengthen the next generation of research leaders in skin science and enable them to pursue novel and important research questions as independent group leaders.
Designed for impact
Anne-Marie Engel , Chief Scientific Officer at the LEO Foundation, explains how the Dr Abildgaard Fellowships are designed to make a big impact in research into skin and skin diseases:
“Substantial funding at this career stage makes a tremendous difference for a young research leader. Fellowship funding will allow our fellows to dive into novel and complex research questions with high potential impact,” says Anne-Marie Engel and continues:
“In many ways, the Dr Abildgaard fellows will represent the future of skin research, and we will take great care to select the best candidates with the most exciting research visions. This is why we will use both external peer review and interviews in the evaluation process.”
“In many ways, the Dr Abildgaard Fellows will represent the future of skin research, and we will take great care to select the best candidates with the most exciting research visions. This is why we will use both external peer review and interviews in the evaluation process.”
Anne-Marie Engel, Chief Scientific Officer, the LEO Foundation
Part of the LEO Foundation’s strategy to support the skin research ecosystem
The LEO Foundation remains committed to supporting a strong ecosystem for research into skin and skin diseases. As Anne-Marie Engel explains, the Dr Abildgaard Fellowships are an important part of the Foundation’s grant strategy
“The Dr Abildgaard Fellowships are a vital part of the LEO Foundation’s strategic commitment to support a strong skin research ecosystem. In this case anchored in Denmark, as the fellows will establish their groups at Danish research institutions. However – and this is equally important – researchers from anywhere in the world can apply if they have an agreement with a Danish research institution that will host them and their research group if they succeed in the competition for a Fellowship .”
Themes and deadlines
The Dr Abildgaard Fellowships will be announced once a year in open competition, focused on one or more predefined themes. In 2023, the themes are:
- Skin immunology and inflammatory skin diseases
- Skin physiology and cutaneous drug delivery
In 2024 the themes will be:
- Advanced therapeutics research in skin disease
- Systems medicine in dermatology
The Fellowships provide funding of DKK 12 million (EUR 1.6 million), distributed over a five-year period.
Researchers from anywhere in the world can apply if they have a hosting agreement with a Danish research institution.
The application deadline for 2023 is 17 August (16:00 CEST).
Evolving grant instruments
With the overall aim of improving the lives of people living with skin diseases, the LEO Foundation supports excellent skin research to transform our understanding of the skin and its diseases. As part of the grant strategy towards 2025, the Foundation plans to increase its annual grant level to a total of DKK 250 million (EUR 34 million) and gradually introduce new grant instruments.
The Dr Abildgaard Fellowship program is one of two new grant instruments launched in 2023. The other new instrument – Serendipity grants – supports existing LEO Foundation grantees, who are invited to apply for funding to help explore new and potentially ground-breaking ideas developed during their existing LEO Foundation-funded research projects.
Read more and apply for Dr Abildgaard Fellowships here.