Skin in Combat-Related Injury: From Molecular Mechanisms of Damage to Modern Regenerative Technologies
Grantee: Professor Mykhaylo Korda, Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine
Amount: DKK 196,605
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: Ukraine
Combat-related injuries often damage the skin through burns, blast wounds, contamination, infection and tissue loss. Skin healing is not only a surgical issue: it depends on inflammation, blood supply, collagen formation, immune response and regenerative mechanisms. This international workshop, “Skin in Combat-Related Injury: From Molecular Mechanisms of Damage to Modern Regenerative Technologies”, will take place on 20–21 May 2027 at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, with hybrid participation. It will bring together researchers, dermatologists, burn specialists, plastic surgeons, pharmacologists, biochemists, students and young clinicians to discuss modern approaches to skin repair after traumatic and burn injury. The event will include lectures, student and young researcher presentations, posters, a practical emergency care masterclass, mentoring and networking. Event website: to be launched.
Eastern Africa Scientific Conference on Neglected Skin Diseases
Grantee: Researcher Behailu Gello, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
Amount: DKK 499,863
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: Ethiopia
The Eastern Africa Scientific Conference on Neglected Skin Diseases will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in March 2027. The meeting will bring together scientists, doctors, and public health experts from Africa and around the world to address diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis that affect millions but receive little attention. The conference will focus on improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, while also highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge in developing new medicines. It will provide opportunities for young researchers to present their work and build international collaborations. The event will be hosted in partnership with Arba Minch University.
International Scientific Networking Workshop for Treat-to-Target in Atopic Dermatitis (T2T-AD) at Rajka 2027 Augsburg
Grantee: Emeritus Professor Alain Taieb, University of Bordeaux/INSERM, France
Amount: DKK 467,250
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: France
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) affects millions of children and adults worldwide, yet patients and clinicians still lack shared international definitions of successful long-term disease control. ISAD, together with IEC and GADA, aims to develop a Treat-to-Target framework for atopic dermatitis, building on successful approaches used in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Preparatory scientific and methodological work will be supported by ISAD and partners. The present LEO Foundation application focuses on the main networking event at Rajka 2027 in Augsburg, where international experts and young investigators will meet for one day, with patient representative participation supported separately by ISAD, to review the emerging framework, discuss unresolved questions, and define priorities for implementation and future research.
Beyond the Surface: an Interdisciplinary Forum on Skin
Grantee: Chancellor's fellow Sofia Ferreira Gonzalez, University of Edinburgh, UK
Amount: DKK 464,456
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: United Kingdom
Beyond the Surface is a two-day workshop bringing together 50 experts from diverse disciplines to foster cross-sector dialogue, collaboration and innovation in skin research.
We have already identified key challenges and potential innovations, but aim to go further. From November 2026, we will launch a UK-wide online questionnaire to gather insights from the public, healthcare professionals, industry and academia. This will inform a pre-workshop synthesis paper to structure discussions.
The workshop will take place in May 2026 in Edinburgh, focusing on defining key challenges and co-developing solutions and future directions. Embedded artists will document the discussions and contribute to a graphic novel capturing emerging ideas.
Outputs will include a strategic white paper and visual infographics for dissemination, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerating translation into practice, and improving communication of skin science across sectors and society.
73rd Annual Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin: Resident Memory T Cells in Health and Disease
Grantee: Professor, Dept of Dermatology, OHSU Alex Ortega Loayza, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
Amount: DKK 278,850
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 73rd Annual Montagna Symposium, Resident Memory T Cells (TRM) in Health and Disease, will be held October 15-19, 2026, in Oregon’s scenic Columbia River Gorge. TRM are specialized cells that protect against known pathogens, but when inappropriately activated, they can cause diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Symposium will share insights into TRM generation, persistence, and contribution to disease; examine how drugs affect TRM; and investigate avenues for leveraging TRM toward cures for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
This event is designed for senior- and junior-level scientists; clinicians; clinical, translational, and basic science researchers; industry representatives; patient advocates; and trainees. The format includes lectures, discussion, and networking opportunities that foster interaction between new and established scientists and dermatologists. Visit https://montagnasymposium.org/ for the program and registration.
The 2027 Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization
Grantee: Associate Professor Ryan Driskell, Washington State University, USA
Amount: DKK 357,053
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 2027 Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization will take place June 6-11, 2027 at the Rey Don Jaime Grand Hotel in Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain, with a trainee-led Gordon Research Seminar on June 5-6. The meeting will bring together international scientists studying how skin forms, maintains its barrier, repairs wounds, and fails in diseases such as inflammatory skin disorders, inherited barrier defects, alopecia, and cancer. The program will combine developmental biology, stem-cell biology, regeneration, human disease, and computational/spatial technologies. LEO Foundation support will help international speakers and young researchers attend, present unpublished work, receive mentoring, and build collaborations that advance skin research.
ESDR Future Leaders Academy 2026
Grantee: Thomas Florestan, European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)
Amount: DKK 186,848
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: United Kingdom
The ESDR Future Leaders Academy (FLA) is an annual three-day meeting held for invited young research leaders (below 40 years) which includes scientific sessions both by external speakers and the participants themselves. It also includes mentoring and networking sessions. This year’s event is held in Edinburgh from 5-7 October 2026.
JSID Young Investigator Events
Grantee: Yumi Aoyama, Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID)
Amount: DKK 186,848
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: Japan
To strengthen the interactions between young scientists a collegiality night and a symposium are arranged in conjunction with the 51st annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID).
The mission of JSID is to advance the position of dermatology in the interdisciplinary world and to enhance the quality of science and research presentations in dermatology for the purposes of maintaining healthy skin and further advancing the treatment of skin diseases.
Skin Immunity and Disease: A Dedicated Research Networking Program at the 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells
Grantee: Professor Elina Zuniga, University of California, San Diego, United States
Amount: DKK 277,889
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells (DC2026) will take place on October 11-14, 2026, in San Diego, USA. This international meeting brings together scientists and clinicians studying dendritic cells: immune cells that help the body decide when to fight infection or limit unnecessary inflammation. In the skin, dendritic cells play a particularly important role. The skin is the body’s largest immune organ and is constantly exposed to microbes, allergens, and environmental stress. When dendritic cell function is disturbed, it can lead to skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis, infection, and skin cancer. With support from the LEO Foundation, DC2026 will include a dedicated skin-focused program with a plenary session, poster presentations, and networking activities. Funding will also support early-career researchers, helping them share new discoveries and build collaborations that advance skin health. More information: https://www.dc2026sandiego.com/
SID Resident and Post Doc Retreat/Young Investigator Event
Grantee: Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID)
Amount: EUR 25,000
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The Resident and Post Doc Retreat is a conference hosted by the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) each year since 2001. The program format provides a protected space in which residents can interact with senior faculty and established investigators for the purpose of fostering attendees’ interest in academic research careers. The program is a combination of formal lectures and presentations, informal discussions, brainstorming sessions and social activities. The retreat is held at the time of the SID annual meeting, which allows attendees to establish connections with each other, and to other meeting attendees. These social networks foster collegiality, collaborations, and appreciation for the creative, multidisciplinary nature of science and other productive interactions.