Purpose: These seed grants are for new and innovative projects in skin research—in any
area of research that falls within the scope of NIAMS. Projects should not have current
funding from other sources, but rather represent new ideas and bring new investigative
approaches to biology and diseases of the skin. Seed grants are intended to help develop
projects to the stage where they are competitive for extramural funding, NIH funding in
particular. The seed grants are not renewable.

Eligibility: All UCI faculty members with PI status and external members of the P30 Skin Center Research Community can apply.

Criteria: Seed grants must focus on skin biology/disease in accordance with NIAMS mission.
The quality of the science and the likelihood of obtaining future NIH R-- funding will be major
review criteria. Collaborative grants between skin biologists and scientists from other scientific
areas (including chemistry, physical sciences, computer science, engineering, mathematics)
that explore new ideas and interdisciplinary approaches will be given priority and are
especially encouraged. All projects are expected to make use of at least one of our Resource
Cores (Imaging-Engineering, Multi-omics, and Systems Biology Cores), and priority will be
given to proposals that focus on innovative research to develop the core competencies. The
program will favor applications where at least one of the PIs is an assistant professor,
although this will not be a requirement, and funding priorities for this round include projects
that strive to translate basic research into clinical application or include clinical research
activities.

Deadline: Proposals must be received by September 14, 2026.

Proposal Format -- Please include the following:

• Project Title
• PI Name(s) – indicate if single- or multi-PI proposal, and include co-PIs
• Lay summary. Provide a half-page lay summary of the project, and its relevance to the mission of NIAMS.
• Narrative. Describe your proposed project and its relevance to skin biology/disease in no more than three pages (font no smaller than 11, margins at least 0.5 inch, approximately 1000 words). Whatever descriptive format suits your proposal is acceptable so long as it stays within the overall length limitation. References do not count towards the page limit.
• Budget. Funds can be used for supplies, equipment, staff salaries, or trainee stipends, but not for faculty salaries. A brief budget plan is sufficient and no specific budget justification is needed nor is biographical information required about trainees or staff.
• Biosketch. Provide a biosketch (NIH format) of the applicants (PI and any Co-PIs).
• Other support doc for PI(s). Include a NIH-format listing of sources, topic, and amount of other current funding. This program is for new projects. Proposals to augment funding for existing funded projects will NOT be reviewed. Explain any possible overlap with existing funding.

Send completed proposal to Rachelle Narvas here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1ddfb6b7619e4d75a8fcd1f14dead782

Questions should be directed to Bogi Andersen at bogi@uci.edu.