Early Career Innovations Award

The Skin of Color Society Early Career Innovations Award will provide startup funding for young visionaries and innovators who have creative solutions addressing needs and opportunities within the skin of color dermatology ecosystem. Funding can be used to develop an idea or help advance or scale up an idea in progress.

Application Open!

Application Deadline: November 14, 2024; Noon CT

APPLY
“Shark Tank” meets Skin of Color Dermatology in this exciting new award program geared toward young visionaries with innovative ideas and creative solutions that need startup funding!

This exciting program was established in 2022, thanks to the vision and generosity of SOCS member Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD. In the future, we hope to build this fund through matching grants from corporate and individual supporters.

Eligibility: U.S. based SOCS members who are students, residents, junior faculty and early career professionals are eligible to apply. Pending members with a complete application are also eligible. 

Judging: All entries will be reviewed by a panel of SOCS leaders. Up to two finalists will be selected to present their idea in-person at the SOCS Symposium on March 6, 2025

Focus areas: funding will be awarded to help with the development of new ideas and innovations to improve:

• Access to healthcare

• Physician training and education

• Patient care

• Patient education/communications

• Technological approaches to service, information and communications

• Community service

• Other ideas relevant to patients of color

Application requirements: Project name, Project status, Project summary, Use of funds (narrative), Budget (PDF), Supporting documents (optional, PDF), Evaluation plan, Commitment to update SOCS, Personal contact information, Department Chair/Supervisor contact information

Funding can be used to develop an idea or help advance or scale up an idea in progress.

Funding for this program is being supported by: