FOR-FD-24-017 Grant Announcement: FDA’s $250,000 Funding Opportunity for Education on Skin Lightening Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a grant opportunity titled “OMHHE Educational Funding Opportunity: Expanding education on skin lightening products (U01) Clinical Trials Not Allowed,” under the opportunity number FOR-FD-24-017. As part of a discretionary funding instrument, this grant aims to support the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) in its efforts to educate and raise public awareness about the potential risks associated with skin lightening products containing hydroquinone and mercury.

This opportunity is open to a wide range of entities, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government bodies at various levels. Applicants are encouraged to research and propose innovative, community-based strategies and activities to strengthen the science base for education and public health awareness. The focus is on the use and potential risks of over-the-counter skin lightening products. With an award ceiling and floor set at $250,000, this funding initiative represents a significant step towards improving public health and safety, particularly in minority communities where the use of such products may be more prevalent. The FDA’s commitment to expanding education on these products underlines the importance of informed consumer choices in health and wellness.