A retrospective analysis of the Dermatology Foundation's Career Development Award Program.

Background: To provide research support that develops and retains leaders, educators, and investigators in dermatology and cutaneous biology, the Dermatology Foundation (DF) has designed and implemented a comprehensive Career Development Award (CDA) Program.

Objective: To assess the impact of the DF's 3-year CDA, a comprehensive survey of recipients who received this mechanism of support between 1990 and 2007 was performed.

Methods: Of 196 individuals receiving a DF CDA, 181 were identified and asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire concerning their career status, employment history, professional rank, and record of independent research funding (private foundation, federal, other). A personal assessment of the impact of this funding on these individuals' career trajectory was also requested.

Results: Eighty percent of 181 CDA recipients identified currently hold full- or part-time positions in academic medicine. The faculty rank of 112 survey respondents included 46 assistant professors (41%), 41 associate professors (37%), 18 professors (16%), and 7 division or departmental chairs (6%). Of respondents, 84% reported that they have received subsequent independent research funding; 95 of these individuals (86%) have received funding from a federal agency (235 federal grants awarded to date with funding >$318M).

Limitations: The study was retrospective and self-reported; some awardees did not respond to the survey.

Conclusions: The DF's CDA Program has succeeded in supporting the early career development of talented investigators, educators, and leaders; fostered the promotion and retention of these individuals in academic medicine; and nucleated numerous investigative careers that have successfully acquired independent research funding.