British Skin Foundation

Charity Number: 1171373

Annual Expenditure: £1.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,050,000 (charitable activities expenditure 2023)
  • Total Funding Since 1996: £21.5 million across ~500 projects
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £10,000 - £100,000
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

Contact Details

Website: www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk

Email: admin@britishskinfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 7391 6341

Application Portal: Applications submitted via Blackbaud online portal (linked from website)

Overview

Founded in 1996, the British Skin Foundation (BSF) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising funds for research into all types of skin diseases, including skin cancer. With over £21.5 million awarded to approximately 500 research projects since inception, BSF has become an internationally recognised body in dermatology research funding. The charity's total income for 2023 was £1.86 million, with charitable expenditure of £1.05 million. Under the leadership of CEO Matthew Patey OBE (who received his honour for services to skin cancer and dermatology research), BSF has funded groundbreaking research including the highest-cited dermatology paper in the past 50 years. The foundation focuses on providing crucial “pump-priming” funding—early-stage seed funding that helps researchers develop innovative ideas and secure larger grants from bodies like the MRC and Wellcome Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BSF operates two annual funding cycles:

Small Grants (Applications typically January-April)

  • BSF Small Grant: Up to £10,000 for small/pilot projects (max 1 year duration)
  • BSF/British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology (BSPAD) Small Grant: Up to £10,000
  • BSF/British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease (BSSVD) Small Grant: £20,000

Large Grants (Applications typically April-July)

  • BSF Research Award: Up to £81,000 (typically 2-3 years)
  • BSF Studentship Award: Up to £85,000 (3-year PhD studentships)
  • BSF Fellowship Award: Up to £62,000
  • BSF Young Investigator Award: For early-career researchers
  • BSF/Skin Health Alliance Psychodermatology Research Award: Up to £100,000 (2 years)
  • BSF/Skin Health Alliance Skin of Colour Research Award: Newly launched

Special Award

  • Louis Forman RSM Fellowship Award (March-May)

All applications submitted through online portal; examined by Grants Advisory Committee consisting of dermatologists and medical research specialists.

Priority Areas

BSF funds research into all skin diseases, with historical funding showing:

  • Skin cancer research: Over £5 million invested
  • Psoriasis: £2 million
  • Eczema: Over £1.5 million
  • Psychodermatology: Over £300,000
  • 70+ different skin conditions including vitiligo, alopecia, ichthyosis, mycosis fungoides, and other rare dermatological conditions

The foundation emphasises “pump-priming” research—early-stage, innovative projects that can lead to larger national or international studies. Projects must demonstrate clear “value to dermatology” and “value to patients with skin disease.”

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but focus is exclusively on dermatology research within UK and Republic of Ireland academic/medical institutions.

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Matthew Patey OBE

Matthew Patey has led BSF for 25 years and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to research into skin cancer and other dermatological conditions. Under his leadership, BSF has raised £17 million and funded over 400 dermatological studies.

Trustees (2025 appointees):

  • Julia Barcoe Thompson (expertise in skincare)
  • Emma Kohring (scientific communications)
  • James Stalley (skin health)
  • Prof. Chris Bunker (Honorary Secretary)

Grants Advisory Committee: Comprised of dermatologists and medical research specialists who review all applications

Matthew Patey on BSF's mission: “The research they fund is often key seed funding for new and innovative ideas that helps researchers secure further funding down the road. With their help, upcoming and talented researchers can turn their ideas into larger, national projects that have the potential to help people across the country and even further afield in the future.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Applications submitted via Blackbaud online portal (accessed through britishskinfoundation.org.uk)
  2. Only one project submission per person per grant round
  3. Check website regularly for specific deadline dates
  4. Application reviewed by Grants Advisory Committee

Small Grant Requirements:

  • Must be small or pilot project
  • Maximum duration: 1 year
  • Equipment costs limited to 50% of grant
  • BSF funding must comprise at least 30% of total project funding
  • Provide researcher ORCID iD

Large Grant Requirements:

  • Vary by award type; consult specific guidelines on website
  • Typical project durations 2-3 years

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Applicants advised to check website regularly for award announcements.

Success Rates

BSF does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. The Grants Advisory Committee ensures “only the highest quality work is supported.”

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in public materials. Note: No feedback is provided for unsuccessful applications, and the Committee's decision is final.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

The Small Grants Advisory Committee evaluates applications based on three key factors:

  1. Value to patients with skin disease (paramount)
  2. Scientific quality
  3. Value for money

Key Success Factors

Demonstrate “Value to Dermatology”: This phrase appears repeatedly across all grant programs. Applications must clearly articulate:

  • Clinical relevance to skin disease patients
  • How the research advances dermatological understanding
  • Potential for real-world impact on patient outcomes

Emphasise Pump-Priming Nature: BSF specialises in early-stage, innovative research. Successful applications show:

  • Novel approaches or preliminary investigations
  • Potential to generate data for larger grant applications
  • Gateway to future funding from MRC, Wellcome Trust, or industry

Highlight Partnerships: BSF actively collaborates with organisations including National Eczema Society, The Vitiligo Society, British Association of Dermatologists, British Society for Paediatric Dermatology, and British Photodermatology Group. Joint applications or aligned research may be advantageous.

Notable Funded Success: In 2004, BSF co-funded “The role of profilaggrin mutations in ichthyosis vulgaris and eczema” with Professors Irwin McLean and Alan Irvine, leading to publication in Nature Genetics—the highest-cited paper in dermatology research in the past 50 years (1,800+ citations).

Post-Award Requirements

  • Activate grant within 12 months
  • Submit scientific and lay reports upon completion
  • Acknowledge BSF support in all papers and presentations
  • No grant extensions or “top-ups” permitted

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Focus on patient impact: “Value to patients with skin disease” is the primary selection criterion—clearly articulate how your research will benefit those affected by dermatological conditions.
  1. Position as pump-priming research: BSF seeks early-stage, innovative projects. Emphasise how your research will generate preliminary data to secure larger grants and develop into major studies.
  1. Geographic eligibility: Research must be conducted within UK or Republic of Ireland institutions. Ensure applicant institution is clearly stated.
  1. No feedback on rejections: BSF does not provide feedback for unsuccessful applications. Applications must be compelling and complete on first submission.
  1. Demonstrate scientific quality and value for money: Balance rigorous methodology with realistic budgets. For small grants, remember equipment cannot exceed 50% of total.
  1. Check for partnership opportunities: With 70+ skin conditions funded and multiple collaborative awards (BSPAD, BSSVD, Skin Health Alliance), explore whether your research aligns with joint funding opportunities.
  1. One submission per round: Strategic selection of which grant program to apply for is essential—researchers can only submit one application per funding cycle.

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References