Scar Free Foundation

The Scar Free Foundation is a specialist UK medical research charity founded in 1999 by plastic surgeon Michael Brough, inspired by survivors like those of the King’s Cross Fire, and relaunched in 2016 with a sharpened focus on scarring and visible difference. Its ambitious mission is to achieve scar-free healing within a generation and transform lives for the 5 million UK people affected by scars from burns, trauma, surgery, disease, or birth. Core values emphasize scientific excellence with clinical relevance, integrating medical expertise, patient lived experience, and stigma reduction to drive pioneering research, awareness, and quality-of-life improvements through collaborative, translational projects.

It funds targeted research into wound healing, scar prevention, regenerative medicine, and interventions—spanning molecular biology, novel therapeutics like bioprinting (e.g., 3D BioFace), burns studies (Bristol, Birmingham centres), cleft lip/palate biobanks (Cleft Collective), conflict wounds for veterans, and psychosocial support toolkits. Primarily, it offers Elective Awards for 4-8 week supervised student projects in scarring, wound healing, and visible difference, benefiting children, adults, and trauma survivors via UK university/NHS/military partnerships.

Eligible applicants are UK-based students in healthcare disciplines (not organizations), with no income thresholds; projects must align with UK research sites (some Ireland options). Applications require emailing a PDF form, supervisor CV/agreement to charlotte@scarfree.org.uk by the annual deadline of 14 March 2025 (5pm), with 4 awards up to £1,200 each. It excludes core funding or non-research activities, standing out for its laser-focus on scarring, patient-involved governance, and bridging basic science to clinical impact in a niche field.