GRAPPA U.S. Centers Psoriatic Disease Fellowship Program

The Psoriatic Disease Fellowship Training Award is a prestigious, merit-based funding opportunity designed to support advanced rheumatology training in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The award is applied for and granted to an institutional entity on behalf of a named individual fellow, with all funds administered through the sponsoring institution in accordance with established academic and financial governance standards.

Through this initiative, the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) reaffirms its commitment to developing the next generation of clinician-scientists and thought leaders in psoriatic disease. This targeted investment supports early-career fellows at a critical stage of professional development, fostering excellence in both clinical care and translational research.

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Sponsored by

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Rationale & Scope

The Fellowship aims to cultivate future leaders in psoriatic arthritis clinical care and research by supporting fellows during pivotal stages of subspecialty training. PsA represents a complex, multisystem disease requiring advanced clinical expertise and a strong translational research pipeline to improve patient outcomes.

The award is structured to provide two consecutive years of fellowship support, funding two fellows per year, each for a single 12-month period. Across the full sponsorship term, four fellows will be supported:

Two fellows (one Clinical Track and one Research Track) for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027

Two fellows (one Clinical Track and one Research Track) for July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028

Each award provides $50,000 USD for a 12-month period (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 or July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028), strictly for salary and fringe benefits, allowing fellows to dedicate focused time to specialized PsA training without financial burden to their institutions.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

Fellows in 2nd or 3rd year of training in rheumatology programs (e.g. internal medicine, pediatrics, or med-peds).

Institutions (through a Program Director) may apply on behalf of an individual fellow. The Program Director is not required to be a GRAPPA member but is strongly encouraged to join if awarded.

Multiple submissions from the same institution are only permitted if representing distinct tracks (e.g., one Clinical and one Research).

United States citizenship is not required.

Recipients must be or become a GRAPPA member upon distribution of the funds and attend the GRAPPA Annual Meeting July 15-17, 2027 in Dallas TX, USA or for the first cycle of fellowships, or the GRAPPA Annual Meeting July 13-15, 2028 location TBD for the second cycle of fellowships.

For clarification on eligibility, contact:  [email protected]

Track-Specific Requirements:

Clinical Track:

  • Individualized training plan in PsA clinical care
  • Mentor must be a GRAPPA member with PsA expertise
  • Mentor letter must outline clinical focus and qualifications

Research Track:

  • A translational PsA-focused research proposal (e.g., immunology, genetics, imaging, outcomes)
  • Mentor(s) must include at least one GRAPPA-affiliated PsA researcher
  • Cross-institutional mentorship is allowed with signed collaboration agreements

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit a complete application package that includes:

  • Institutional Cover Letter (from Program Director)
  • Fellow’s CV and Personal Statement
  • Detailed Training Plan (tailored to either Clinical or Research track)
  • Mentor Letter(s) of Support
  • Mentor CV
  • Budget Justification for salary/fringe
  • Institutional Letter confirming fellow’s standing and program approval
  • Signed acknowledgment of GRAPPA’s indemnification and compliance policies

Timeline for First Year of Sponsorship – Two Fellows

  • Application Deadline: February 8, 2026
  • Notification of Award: March 31, 2026
  • Fellowship Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Timeline for Second Year of Sponsorship – Two Fellows

  • Application Deadline: Early 2027
  • Notification of Award: March 31, 2027
  • Fellowship Term: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028

The application period for the 2026/2027 track is now closed. 

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Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the GRAPPA Research Committee and Board using predetermined scoring criteria, evaluated based on:

  • Institutional program strength
  • Quality and feasibility of training plan (Clinical Track)
  • Scientific merit of research proposal (Research Track)
  • Qualifications and mentoring capacity of mentors
  • Leadership and and professional development
  • Alignment with GRAPPA's mission
  • An interview may be requested
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Award Terms & Funding

  • Amount: $50,000 per fellow for one year
  • Disbursement: To the sponsoring institution for salary/fringe only
  • Indirect Costs: Not permitted
  • Reporting:
    • Final financial report required
    • Narrative progress summary to be submitted to GRAPPA
    • Unused funds must be returned

Legal and Administrative Provisions

All institutions must agree to GRAPPA’s standard legal and compliance terms, which include:

  • Institutional liability and indemnification of GRAPPA
  • Adherence to anti-discrimination and research integrity standards
  • GRAPPA’s right to audit reports and request clarification
  • Public acknowledgment of award sponsorship in any publications or presentations arising from the funded year

By applying, institutions certify that they can accept and administer funds on behalf of the named fellow in accordance with these terms.