Mentorship In Dermatopathology Awards

 

The American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) is pleased to offer mentorships designed to enable young dermatologists and pathologists to acquire additional skills in dermatopathology that will further their careers by studying with a dermatopathology mentor.

Watch the videos below to learn more about the Mentorship Award Program from a mentor and a mentee's perspectives:

Criteria:

  • Applicants must be a dermatology or pathology resident with an interest in dermatopathology.
  • Applications should include a specific topic for a research project that the mentor and mentee have agreed to work on during the mentorship.
  • Mentorships are designed to take place away from the applicant’s current university. Applications for mentorships within the same institution will not be considered. Mentees and mentors located in the same city will only be approved a maximum $200 budget. Any additional reimbursement requested by the mentee will require approval by the Awards Committee.
  • Applicants are limited to submitting one mentorship award application per year, regardless of field.
  • Mentor must be a member of the ASDP, and each mentor is limited to one mentorship award application per year.
  • Awardees must attend the next ASDP Annual Meeting after their mentorship and outline their project in a poster presentation at that time. Meeting registration fees for Mentorship Awardees are complimentary for in-person attendance only.
  • Awardees are strongly encouraged to submit their work to the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology (JCP) before any other publication.
  • Supplies (e.g. antibodies), tuition reimbursement or educational fees, salary, and travel to the ASDP Annual Meeting will not be considered and should not be included in the budget request. Only travel/airfare to/from mentoring location, lodging and meals up-to a maximum of $3,000 will be considered.
  • Mentorship Awards will be disbursed in two payments. One-half of the approved award will be issued at the start of the mentorship, the balance will be paid upon completion of the program, presentation of the poster at the first ASDP Annual Meeting following the mentorship, and submission of written and final expense reports to ASDP.

Time Period

Two-week mentorship should occur between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028.

Application Process

All completed applications must include:

  • Completed application form.
  • Budget outlining expenses to be incurred (up to a maximum of $3,000).
  • Personal Statement (250 words max)
  • Project Description (500 words max)
  • Letter from proposed mentor indicating their willingness to provide the time necessary for this mentorship, any significant and pertinent details of the planned mentorship, and specific mention of whether the timeframe and budget are appropriate for the proposed mentorship.
  • Letter from department chair or program director attesting that the resident is in good standing, and confirmation that the resident can take time from his/her residency for the elective. 

Important! Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Judging Criteria

Applications will be judged based on the following four categories:

  • Candidate's personal statement;
  • project description;
  • project feasibility; and
  • project novelty and importance

Post Mentorship

Mentorship Awardees must meet the following criteria for their mentorship to be considered complete and to receive the second award disbursement:

  • Attend the ASDP Annual Meeting and present a poster (meeting registration fee and up to three nights hotel stay will be complimentary).
  • Provide a one-page written report summarizing the mentorship experience and benefits. 
  • Provide a final expense report and receipts detailing mentorship expenses. 

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted between October 15 and December 15, 2026

How to Get Started

  • Choose a mentor - you can refer to the list of past mentors if you need assistance finding a mentor. Your mentor does not need to be selected from this list, but they do need to be an ASDP member. 
  • Draft personal statement.
  • Get a letter from your department chair/program director.
  • Complete the online application.

Questions?

Contact Karen Zader