The British Skin Foundation funds UK and Republic of Ireland-based dermatology research, with a strong emphasis on clinically relevant projects that can improve diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of skin disease. Its portfolio shows particular interest in skin cancer, pediatric and adolescent dermatology, transplant-related skin complications, and early-stage or early-career research, including PhD studentships and fellowships. The foundation also appears to value translational work and projects that bridge laboratory science with practical patient impact.
Focus Areas
Dermatology ResearchSkin Cancer ResearchPediatric and Adolescent DermatologyTransplant DermatologyEarly-Career Clinical Academic TrainingPilot and Translational Skin Disease Studies
Giving Approach
Primarily competitive, peer-reviewed research grants with fixed deadlines; awards include small pilot grants up to £15,000, larger two-year grants up to £92,000, fellowships, and multi-year PhD studentships. Funding is mostly UK/ROI-based and often targeted to specific themes or career stages rather than open-ended general support.
How to approach this funder
Monitor the annual spring opening, as many major awards open 15 April and close 2 July at 13:00 BST. Proposals should be clearly dermatology-focused, UK/ROI-based, and designed with clinical relevance or translational impact in mind; applicants should also match the specific scheme to career stage or specialty area (for example, early-career, pediatric, transplant, or fellowship routes).
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Notable grantees:
• Dr Matthew Bottomley
• Dr Ahmed Moukachar
• Dr Jean Fletcher
• Dr Chris Phillips
• Dr Kehinde Ross
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from British Skin Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Jul 2, 2026Award: Up to $102K
Young Investigator Award
skin diseasedermatology researchearly-career research
Who can apply: Open to a Scientist or Clinical Academic no more than 10 years into their post-doctoral research career. Must be the driving force behind the project and have a significant publication track record. The project should have potential to lead to long-term, large-scale funding. No more than one application per Principal Investigator per round. Applications will not be accepted from a PI who currently holds a BSF Large Grant as a PI. Applicants must demonstrate value to dermatology.
Deadline: 2026 application round opens 15 April 2026 and closes 2 July 2026 at 13:00 BST.
Who can apply: Available to anybody wishing to carry out U.K. or R.O.I.-based research into skin disease. No more than one application per Principal Investigator per round. Applications will not be accepted from a PI who currently holds a Large Grant as a PI. Applicants must demonstrate value of the project to dermatology.
Deadline: 2026 application round opens 15 April 2026 and closes 2 July 2026 at 13:00 BST.
British Skin Foundation / Skin Health Alliance Renal Transplant Research Award
renal transplantskin diseaseskin cancer+1 more
Who can apply: Available to anybody wishing to carry out U.K. or R.O.I.-based research into skin disease or skin cancer affecting renal transplant patients. No more than one application per Principal Investigator per round. Applications will not be accepted from a PI who currently holds a BSF Large Grant as a PI. Applicants must demonstrate value of the project to dermatology.
Deadline: 2026 application round opens 15 April 2026 and closes 2 July 2026 at 13:00 BST.
dermatology researchskin cancerskin disease+1 more
Who can apply: Available to any U.K. or R.O.I.-based research institution seeking to fund dermatological research at PhD student level. No more than one application per Principal Investigator per round. Applications will not be accepted from a PI who currently holds a BSF Large Grant as a PI. Applicants must demonstrate value of the project to dermatology.
Deadline: 2026 application round is open and closes 2 July 2026 at 13:00 BST.
clinical dermatology researchclinical academic training
Who can apply: Applications completed by nominating Principal Investigator or head of department. One application per PI per round. PIs currently holding a Large Grant as PI are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate value to dermatology.
Deadline: Opens 15 April 2026; closes 2 July 2026 at 13:00 BST.
dermatologyallied specialtiesclinical training+1 more
Who can apply: For an award-holder to undertake six months of training in a specialty allied to dermatology; aims to extend clinical skills beyond dermatology training and support future collaborative working between complementary disciplines.
Deadline: Details about the 2026 opening dates will be announced soon.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.