National Institutes of Health Funding for Vitiligo Research: Trends from 1985 to 2024

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds a multitude of dermatology research. This study examines NIH funding for vitiligo studies and highlights key trends.

The NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool database was used to identify vitiligo research projects funded between 1985 and 2024, with results limited to project titles containing "vitiligo."

The NIH awarded 166 grants for vitiligo research between 1985 and 2024. This study analyzed 144 of these awards, totaling $22,343,119. The greatest increase occurred between 1998 and 1999, with the average funding per grant rising by $124,316, leading to a total funding increase from $269,102 to $1,149,554. The most common funding mechanism was Non-Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) was the leading administering institute. Medical schools were the most awarded organization type. The most common grant types were R01 (n=59, 41%) and M01 (n=21, 15%). Among the 144 funded projects, 48 were unique, with most focusing on pathophysiology (n=36) and treatment (n=8).

Study limitations include incomplete data on NIH research funding, with 22 awards missing total cost information and 25 awards calculated using subproject sums.

From 1985 to 2024, NIH funding for vitiligo research fluctuated with an upward trend in recent years. The most common funding mechanism was Non-SBIR/STTR. Among organization types, medical schools received the most awards. Most vitiligo research projects have been completed and have focused on understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of vitiligo.  .