La Roche-Posay opens Young Investigator Grant applications for 2026

By Alessandro Carrara | Published: 18-Aug-2026 Alessandro Carrara
Research & Development Finance

The L’Oréal-owned dermatologist-led skin care brand’s Young Investigator Grant initiative provides up to US$50,000 for research that aims to transform patient quality of life through clinical medicine, biology and pharmacology

La Roche-Posay opens Young Investigator Grant applications for 2026

La Roche-Posay has opened applications for its 2026 Young Investigator Grant as the competitive funding programme celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The L’Oréal-owned dermatologist-led skin care brand’s initiative provides up to US$50,000 in funding to early-career dermatologists, residents and fellows – the latter being fully qualified doctors seeking specialised training. 

This is specifically aimed at research – conducted in the first five years of practice post-residency in the US – that aims to transform patient quality of life through clinical medicine, biology and pharmacology.

Tickets are now available for the 25th anniversary of the Pure Beauty Awards, taking place on 15 October 2026 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, UK. Join the beauty industry for an evening of recognition and celebration as this year’s winners are revealed. Click here to secure your place.

Applicants must submit proposals here by 1 November.

Submission requirements include:

  • Research plan: Maximum eight pages. Clinical research projects only
  • CV: Including full contact information – email, phone and address
  • Mentorship: A letter of support from a mentor or Chief of Dermatology
  • Verification: An affidavit stating the project has not received other grants
  • Budget.

Winners will be announced in early 2027 and recognised at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in San Francisco, US.

The opening of applications for the Young Investigator Grant 2026 has been announced at the same time as La Roche-Posay naming the winners of the 2025 edition of the initiative.

A panel of board-certified dermatologists, chaired by Harley Street Clinician Dr Adam Friedman, awarded $50,000 in grants to eight researchers.

The winners were recognised at the AAD Annual Meeting in March 2026 in Denver, Colorado, US.

The 2025 Young Investigator Grant winners include:

  • Dr Junqian Zhang: Development and evaluation of a translucent suture pad to enhance suturing education in dermatologic surgery
     
  • Dr. Leonardo Tjahjono: Prospective observational study of combined biologic therapy, Bimekizumab, and deroofing surgery in active Hurley II/III hidradenitis suppurativa without biologic interruption
     
  • Dr Matthew Draelos: Topically applied chemical probes for visual fluorescence-based detection and surgical management of non-melanoma skin cancer in all skin phototypes
     
  • Dr Miguel Angel Aristizabal Torres: Development of a transplant-specific quality-of-life module to augment BASQOL in solid organ transplant recipients with keratinocyte carcinoma
     
  • Dr Misty Eleryan: Evaluating a hybrid teledermatology and mobile care model to improve skin cancer detection and treatment access in rural communities
     
  • Dr Rohan Shah: Healing Beyond the Tattoo: A trauma-informed dermatologic initiative using laser therapy and skin barrier science to empower survivors of human trafficking
     
  • Dr William Lewis: Fractional cryotherapy for skin resurfacing and pigmentary modulation.

"La Roche-Posay is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of researchers who are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery," said Jessica Allison, AVP of Medical Relations at La Roche-Posay.

"This year's projects range from broad-scale teledermatology to foundational studies in rare diseases.

“By supporting these innovative researchers, we are playing a vital role in shaping the future of accessible, effective and evidence-based dermatological care for all skin types."

This follows Rare Beauty Brands, the owner of Kate Somerville and Patchology, opening applications for its accelerator programme in August.

Aimed at supporting underrepresented beauty brand founders, the LIFT Beauty Accelerator provides funding, mentorship and retail access to beauty entrepreneurs, in partnership with US retailer JCPenney.

In July, Sephora North America also revealed the 12 beauty brands selected for its 2026 Accelerate programme.

The incubator is dedicated to helping emerging brand founders navigate growth and build long-term success in prestige beauty.

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