Apply for Research Grants in open competition

About Research Grants

Research Grants are open competition grants given to support the best dermatology research projects worldwide. 

We welcome applications for research projects that improve the understanding of the underlying medicinal, biological, chemical, or pharmacological mechanisms of dermatological diseases and their symptoms.

We also welcome applications for projects that address clinical issues among people who are at risk of developing, or have developed, a skin disease, including how it impacts their quality of life and the societal costs involved.

How to apply

The Research Grants in open competition program has three annual calls. 

Please read the application guide for the full call text and further information about the eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and requirements for the content of the application. 

Application guide

Evaluation process

All submitted applications will be administratively screened for eligibility and mandatory requirements. 

If approved as eligible, the applications will undergo external review by the Foundation’s Scientific Evaluation Commitee.

Based on this evaluation the LEO Foundation Board of Trustees will make the final decision, and applicants will be notified of the results. 

Application deadlines

Grant Opens Deadline

Research Grants in open competition (round 1)

13 Nov 2024 08 Jan 2025 Apply now

To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 8 January 2025 (16:00 CET)

Application guide

Online application

LEO Foundation Award – Region Americas

14 Nov 2024 09 Jan 2025 Apply now

The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers.

Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000.

DEADLINE for self-nomination: 9 January 2025 (16:00 CET)

NB: The content of the application guide may be subject to change. Changes relevant for a given call will be implemented prior to opening of that call.

Application guide

Online application

Education and Awareness Grants (round 1)

27 Nov 2024 22 Jan 2025 Apply now

To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 22 January 2025 (16:00 CET)

Application guide

Apply by mail here

LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowships

16 Jan 2025 02 Apr 2025 Not open

For talented, emerging research leaders with ambitions to establish or expand an independent research group at a Danish institution, and to pursue novel and important research questions within skin and skin diseases.

Grants of DKK 12 million are awarded for a five-year period.

DEADLINE: 2 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

Research Grants in open competition (round 2)

05 Feb 2025 02 Apr 2025 Not open

To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 2 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide

Online application

LEO Foundation Award – Region EMEA

06 Feb 2025 03 Apr 2025 Not open

The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers.

Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000.

DEADLINE for self-nomination: 3 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

NB: The content of the application guide may be subject to change. Changes relevant for a given call will be implemented prior to opening of that call.

Application guide

Online application

Education and Awareness Grants (round 2)

10 Feb 2025 07 Apr 2025 Not open

To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 7 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide

Apply by mail here

LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers (round 1)

11 Feb 2025 08 Apr 2025 Not open

To stimulate a cohesive and agile skin research ecosystem by supporting temporary embedment of skin researchers in a foreign research environment with the aim of fostering genuine international collaborations and strengthening the exchange of knowledge, ideas, methodology, and technology between Danish and international skin research communities.

DEADLINE: 8 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

Research Networking Grants (round 1)

11 Feb 2025 08 Apr 2025 Not open

Through our Research Networking Grants, we seek to enable knowledge-sharing and facilitate networking and collaborations within the skin research community by providing researchers and students with opportunities to present and discuss the newest research within their field. 

DEADLINE: 8 April 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

Serendipity Grants

29 Apr 2025 24 Jun 2025 Not open

For novel and unexpected, also known as serendipitous, discoveries made by current LEO Foundation
grantees.

Grants of up to DKK 4 million are awarded for a two-year period.

DEADLINE: 24 June 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

LEO Foundation Award – Region Asia-Pacific

01 May 2025 26 Jun 2025 Not open

The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers.

Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000.

DEADLINE for self-nomination: 26 June 2025 (16:00 CEST)

NB: The content of the application guide may be subject to change. Changes relevant for a given call will be implemented prior to opening of that call.

Application guide

Online application

Research Grants in open competition (round 3)

31 Jul 2025 11 Sep 2025 Not open

To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 11 September 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide

Online application

Education and Awareness Grants (round 3)

04 Aug 2025 30 Sep 2025 Not open

To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases.

It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process.

DEADLINE: 30 September 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide

Apply by mail here

LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers (round 2)

05 Aug 2025 01 Oct 2025 Not open

To stimulate a cohesive and agile skin research ecosystem by supporting temporary embedment of skin researchers in a foreign research environment with the aim of fostering genuine international collaborations and strengthening the exchange of knowledge, ideas, methodology, and technology between Danish and international skin research communities.

DEADLINE: 1 October 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

Research Networking Grants (round 2)

05 Aug 2025 01 Oct 2025 Not open

Through our Research Networking Grants, we seek to enable knowledge-sharing and facilitate networking and collaborations within the skin research community by providing researchers and students with opportunities to present and discuss the newest research within their field. 

DEADLINE: 1 October 2025 (16:00 CEST)

Application guide (NB: the 2025 application guide will be published before the call opens)

Online application

Scientific Evaluation Committee

Scientific Evaluation Committee is an international panel of independent experts who evalute applications submitted for Research Grants in open competion.

Learn more about our committees.

Committee member Titles

Carsten Bindslev-Jensen

Professor, MD, DMSc, PhD, Department of Clinical Allergology, Odense University Hospital Svendborg (Denmark)

Catherine Smith

Professor, King's College London, St John's Institute of Dermatology (United Kingdom)

Christoph Schlapbach

Professor, Inselspital, Universitätspital Bern (Switzerland)

Emmanuella Guenova

Associate Professor, M.D. PhD, University of Lausanne (Switzerland)

Joel M. Gelfand

Professor, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine (USA)

Johann E. Gudjonsson

MD, PhD, Arthur C. Curtis Professor of Skin Molecular Immunology Professor, Dermatology Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Emerging Scholar, University of Michigan, Department of Dermatology (USA)

Luigi Naldi

Director, MD, Centro Studi GISED (Italy)

Maria Kasper

Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet (Sweden)

Nicole Ward

Professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (USA)

Niroshana Anandasabapathy

Associate Professor, PhD. M.D., Weill Cornell Medicine (USA)

Paola di Meglio

Lecturer, King's College London (United Kingdom)

Ryan Donnelly

Professor, Queen's University Belfast, School of Pharmacy (United Kingdom)

Tove Agner

Professor, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital (Denmark)

Meet a reviewer

Niroshana Anandasabapathy is Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, USA and a reviewer for the Scientific Evaluation Committee (SEC).

We do not support

Applications that are not submitted online, or applications that are not in compliance with our application requirements and guidance are not eligible for support.

Moreover, we do not support:

  • Graduate students below PhD students and/or academic fees except PhD-tuition fees
  • Administration or overhead costs exceeding 5%
  • Participation in domestic meetings or courses
  • Passive attendance at conferences
  • Expenses incurred prior to making an application or obtaining a grant
  • Research projects about skin cancer
  • Research projects involving commercial companies
  • Research projects involving drug testing for commercial purposes
  • Applications from other foundations or associations, including patient organisations

Please contact the grant team for further information

Eva Bang-Hansen

Scientific Management Assistant

eva.bang-hansen@leo-foundation.org

+ 45 25 36 07 70

Signe Rømer Holm

Scientific Officer

signe.holm@leo-foundation.org

+45 53 70 66 18

Eva Benfeldt

Senior Scientific Officer

eva.benfeldt@leo-foundation.org

+ 45 31 39 93 23

Lars Kruse

Senior Scientific Officer

lars.kruse@leo-foundation.org

+45 30 46 42 91