Key Takeaways

• New data show the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded 144 analyzable vitiligo research grants totaling $22.3 million, with the largest funding increase occurring between 1998 and 1999.

• The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and medical schools were the primary drivers of funded work.

• The data showed most funded projects centering on pathophysiology and treatment.

Funding trends National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding trends shows steady, long-term support for vitiligo research from 1985 through 2024, according to a new analysis. 

Using the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool, investigators identified 166 vitiligo-related awards during this period. Of these, 144 grants with available financial data were analyzed, totaling $22.3 million in funding. Their analysis revealed that the most notable year-over-year increase in funding occurred between 1998 and 1999, increasing on average by $124,316. During this time period there was a sharp increase in total annual support, from $269,102 to more than $1.1 million.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) served as the leading administering institute. Medical schools received the highest number of awards, reflecting their central role in dermatology research infrastructure. R01 grants were the most common, representing 41% of awards, followed by M01 mechanisms. Non-Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanisms were used most frequently.

Of the 144 projects, 48 represented unique research focuses [investigating vitiligo pathophysiology (n=36) and treatment approaches, (n=8)]. 

"Most vitiligo research projects have been completed and have focused on understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of vitiligo," the authors added. 

Source: Hamid A, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2025;24(12):9011.