Open Call for Research Grant Program – Round 3

Deadline: 25-Aug-2026

The LEO Foundation Research Grant Program supports innovative research that advances knowledge in dermatology and skin biology. The program welcomes applications from researchers across the world working on projects that improve the understanding of skin diseases, their biological mechanisms, clinical management, and their impact on patients and society.

In addition to laboratory and clinical research, the foundation also supports studies examining how skin diseases affect quality of life, healthcare systems, and societal costs.

Grant Amount

Applicants typically request funding between:

• DKK 2 million to DKK 4 million
• Project duration of 1 to 3 years

All budgets must be prepared and submitted in Danish kroner (DKK).

What Expenses Can Be Funded?

The LEO Foundation supports a broad range of research-related costs.

Eligible expenses include:

• Salaries and mandatory employee benefits
• Salary support for the Principal Investigator (with required justification for existing full-time staff)
• Laboratory operating costs
• Bench fees
• Scientific equipment
• Publication expenses
• Travel for research activities
• Conference participation
• Tuition fees for PhD students
• Administrative costs up to 5% of the total budget

These expenses should directly support the successful completion of the proposed research project.

Eligible Research Areas

The foundation supports research across multiple scientific disciplines related to dermatology.

Eligible project types include:

• Basic research
• Translational research
• Technical research
• Epidemiological research
• Clinical research

Projects are encouraged if they improve understanding of:

• Skin biology
• Dermatological diseases
• Disease mechanisms
• Biological pathways
• Medicinal mechanisms
• Chemical mechanisms
• Pharmacological mechanisms
• Symptoms of skin diseases
• Prevention and treatment strategies

The program also welcomes research focusing on:

• Individuals at risk of developing skin diseases
• Patients currently living with skin diseases
• Quality of life outcomes
• Disease burden
• Healthcare utilization
• Societal and economic costs associated with dermatological conditions

Who Is Eligible?

Researchers from any country may apply.

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Hold a PhD degree or equivalent academic qualification
• Serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the proposed project
• Be affiliated with:
  • A university
  • A hospital
  • Another non-profit research organization

The grant is intended for independent researchers capable of leading internationally competitive dermatology research.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The LEO Foundation does not fund certain categories of research.

Ineligible projects include:

Skin Cancer Research

Projects focused on:

• Melanoma
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Exception: Skin cancer models may be used when they serve only as research tools to investigate other aspects of skin biology or non-cancer skin diseases.

Commercial Research

Applications involving:

• Commercial companies
• Industry-sponsored drug testing for commercial purposes
• Product development intended for commercial use

Cosmetic Dermatology

The foundation does not support research aimed solely at improving appearance, including:

• Anti-aging treatments
• Cosmetic skin enhancement
• Aesthetic procedures
• Appearance-focused interventions

However, treatment of moderate to severe long-term complications resulting from dermatological diseases is not considered cosmetic research and may be eligible.

Why This Grant Matters

Skin diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and often have long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences.

The LEO Foundation Research Grant Program helps researchers:

• Discover new biological mechanisms behind skin diseases
• Improve diagnosis and treatment options
• Enhance patient quality of life
• Reduce healthcare costs
• Generate evidence for better clinical practice
• Advance global dermatology research

The program also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between laboratory scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and translational researchers.

How to Apply

Researchers should carefully prepare a complete application before submission.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
• Are the Principal Investigator
• Are affiliated with an eligible non-profit institution

Step 2: Develop a High-Quality Research Proposal

Your proposal should clearly explain:

• Research objectives
• Scientific background
• Research methodology
• Expected outcomes
• Clinical or scientific significance
• Timeline
• Project milestones

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

The budget should:

• Be presented in Danish kroner (DKK)
• Include all eligible expenses
• Justify salary requests
• Include administrative costs only up to 5%

Step 4: Demonstrate Research Impact

Clearly explain how the project will:

• Improve dermatology research
• Increase understanding of skin diseases
• Benefit patients
• Advance scientific knowledge
• Address unmet clinical needs

Step 5: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application through the LEO Foundation’s official grant application process before the relevant deadline, ensuring all required documents are included.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by following these best practices:

• Align the project closely with the foundation’s dermatology research priorities.
• Clearly define the scientific question.
• Present a realistic project timeline.
• Provide a transparent and justified budget.
• Explain the expected impact on patients and healthcare.
• Demonstrate the feasibility of the research.
• Include strong preliminary evidence where available.
• Ensure all institutional affiliations and investigator information are accurate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these frequent application errors:

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Submitting projects focused on cosmetic dermatology.
• Proposing research centered on skin cancer without qualifying under the stated exception.
• Including commercial drug testing or company-led research.
• Preparing an incomplete budget.
• Failing to justify salary requests.
• Writing unclear research objectives.
• Omitting expected scientific or clinical impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the LEO Foundation Research Grant?

Researchers worldwide who hold a PhD (or equivalent), act as the Principal Investigator, and are affiliated with a university, hospital, or other non-profit research institution.

2. How much funding is available?

Typical grants range from DKK 2 million to DKK 4 million for research projects lasting 1 to 3 years.

3. What research fields are supported?

The program supports basic, translational, technical, epidemiological, and clinical research focused on skin biology and dermatological diseases.

4. Can international researchers apply?

Yes. The LEO Foundation accepts applications from eligible researchers anywhere in the world.

5. Are equipment and travel expenses covered?

Yes. Eligible budgets may include equipment, laboratory expenses, publication costs, travel, conference participation, PhD tuition fees, salaries, and administrative costs up to 5%.

6. Is skin cancer research eligible?

Generally, no. Projects focused on melanoma, CTCL, BCC, or SCC are not funded. However, skin cancer models may be acceptable if they are used solely to investigate other aspects of skin biology or non-cancer dermatological diseases.

7. Does the grant support cosmetic dermatology research?

No. Research primarily intended to improve appearance or delay skin aging is not eligible. Studies addressing serious long-term complications resulting from dermatological diseases may still qualify.

Key Takeaways

• Funding: DKK 2–4 million
• Project Duration: 1–3 years
• Eligible Applicants: PhD-qualified Principal Investigators affiliated with non-profit institutions worldwide
• Research Areas: Basic, translational, technical, epidemiological, and clinical dermatology research
• Supported Costs: Salaries, equipment, operating costs, travel, publications, PhD tuition, and administrative expenses (up to 5%)
• Not Supported: Skin cancer research (with limited exceptions), cosmetic dermatology, commercial research, and commercial drug testing

Conclusion

The LEO Foundation Research Grant Program is a significant international funding opportunity for researchers dedicated to advancing dermatology and skin disease research. By supporting innovative scientific, clinical, translational, and epidemiological studies, the program promotes discoveries that improve understanding of skin biology, enhance patient care, and reduce the global burden of dermatological diseases. Researchers with impactful, non-commercial projects aligned with the foundation’s priorities are encouraged to prepare a well-structured proposal and apply for funding.

For more information, visit LEO Foundation.