One of the goals identified in the SID strategic plan, Vision 2008, is to strengthen relationships with government agencies and explore potential avenues for collaboration. The SID and its Committee on Government and Public Relations developed plans to conduct regular meetings with NIH directors of institutes and directors of Federal Agencies that have skin disease research and skin health portfolios.

At the fall 2004 Board meeting, it was noted that the SID did not have an effective mechanism to develop, review and revise a national skin disease and health research agenda on a regular basis. To fill this void, then-President Kevin Cooper, enlisted the service of the Committee on Long-range Planning and Priorities to develop a research agenda.

This document is intended to focus and direct long-term efforts in skin disease research. Priorities for Skin Biology and Disease Research was developed to serve as talking points during the meetings at the NIH and other government agencies. It is considered a “living document” and was posted on the website in spring 2005. Society members were asked to provide feedback and suggestions so that the document could evolve appropriately with research and funding trends.

Additional topics discussed at the meetings include research opportunities, idea sharing, questions and concerns that are in the best interest of SID and the broad development of the institute’s and agencies’ programmatic and research priorities. This enables directors to familiarize themselves with the SID and its mission, enabling them to embed a skin research perspective into program development.

The SID feels that it is important to provide data and feedback to institute directors, encouraging the submission of grant applications, and/or serving on study sections and review panels. The first meetings were held on April 5, 2005. Representatives of the SID met with the Directors of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

View the Priorities for Skin Biology and Disease Research document.