Research & Awards
SOCS Mission: To promote awareness of and excellence within skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship and advocacy. We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology to advance patient care.
RESEARCH and INNOVATION: We lead research and innovation through our diverse array of advanced research activities, leveraging collaborations with domestic and international corporations and organizations.
Below are all of the research, grants, programs, and fellowship awards SOCS has.
The Skin of Color Society and Dermatology Foundation are pleased to introduce the Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award that will provide a grant of $100,000 in annual support for up to three years. The award is intended to support the work of outstanding investigators with an established trajectory of excellence in basic, clinical, or translational science. The supported research projects are expected to yield novel results that expand the understanding of dermatological issues in skin of color.
Application Closed
The SOCS Career Development Award, which will award up to $100,000 which can be used over a two-year period and which is non-renewable. This award should have a research focus on inflammatory dermatologic diseases in skin of color, in areas where further clinical, translational, and basic research is needed. It is the expectation that the recipient(s) of these awards will be tomorrow’s leaders in dermatology, helping to shape the future of the specialty.
Application Closed
The SOCS Dermatology Research Award will provide annual research grants (each up to $20,000) to promote dermatology research within the field of skin of color. The grant is intended to assist dermatologists who are at ten years or less since completing terminal residency/fellowship training or who are an instructor/assistant professor in furthering their academic careers.
Application Closed
The SOCS Early Career Innovations Award will provide startup funding of up to $35,000 for young visionaries and innovators who have innovative projects addressing needs and opportunities within the dermatology ecosystem that advance understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of dermatologic conditions in the field of skin of color.
Application Closed
The Institutional Research Fellowship Grant (IRF) program provides outstanding opportunities for early-career physicians to conduct investigation on dermatologic conditions that need more scientific research in skin of color, and to prepare for leadership roles in clinical care, public policy, health services research, and biomedical research.
Application Closed
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Each One, Reach One, Grow as One!
Are you passionate about advancing skin of color dermatology and helping us amplify our impact by growing our global membership? We invite you to be a part of our journey to grow our community of professionals committed to health equity and excellence in the specialty.
Take the lead in our SOCS Member Recruitment Rally—when each of us brings just one new dermatology colleague into our community, we’ll double our size and expand our impact. Plus, you’ll have the chance to earn exciting prizes along the way!
| Grand Prize | A full year of free SOCS membership dues |
| Second Place | $175 Gift Card |
| Third Place | $150 Gift Card |
| Fourth Place | $100 Gift Card |
By recruiting new members, you're not just expanding our society; you're helping to elevate the global reach and influence of dermatology focused on skin of color.
How to Participate
Join Us in Making a Difference
We are eager to welcome new members into the SOCS community. Together, we can amplify our impact to drive innovation, progress and excellence in skin of color dermatology!
Good luck to all participants! Let’s transform the future of dermatology, one referral at a time.
Share the graphic below with your colleagues today and start making a difference with SOCS!

Many of you have given countless hours to SOCS by supporting mentorship, research, advocacy, leadership and ultimately helping to improve outcomes in dermatology patients with skin of color. Thank you for ALL you have done and do to invest in the future of dermatology and culturally competent quality care in the U.S. and abroad.

How will you leave a legacy?
It is estimated that $70 trillion will pass down from older generations to younger generations (and organizations doing incredible work that you share a common vision) over the next two decades. Would you consider joining a prestigious group of your peers—the Theodore K. Lawless, MD Legacy Circle and/or Founders Club today—by identifying SOCS as a recipient of a gift in your estate or retirement planning? Will you let our team know that you have made those plans so we can thank you properly?
If you indicate any gift in your estate or retirement planning, you qualify for the Theodore K. Lawless, MD Legacy Circle and we would like to recognize you and thank you. If that gift is valued at an estimated $25,000 or more today, a Theodore K. Lawless, MD Legacy Circle member also qualifies for the Founders Club—honoring our amazing SOCS Founders. Any donor may join anonymously or by name.
When you let us know that you have made these plans and want to join anonymously, you encourage your peers and other SOCS Foundation donors to also leave a legacy in this manner. We assure you that we will keep your information anonymous. Thank you!
Here is a form to let us know you have left a gift or request more information:
Because more and more of your peers are asking questions about how to leave a gift to the SOCS Foundation through estate or retirement planning, we’ve developed some information here that might help. Methods and investment vehicles your peers are leaving a legacy for the SOCS Foundation:
We have many more resources available upon request and are more than happy to help.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team at 630-578-3991 or

Why name the legacy circle after Theodore K. Lawless, MD?
Why name the Founders Club after our Founders?