Scar Free Foundation
Could Scar Free Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- Up to £1,200
- Where they fund
- England, Wales
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Email application
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card
scarfree.org.ukAbout Scar Free Foundation
The Scar Free Foundation is a UK medical research charity dedicated to scarring and visible difference. Its mission is to achieve scar-free healing within a generation and improve the lives of the millions of people affected by scars from burns, trauma, surgery, disease, or birth. The Foundation funds research into wound healing, scar prevention, and regenerative medicine, with a particular emphasis on paediatric burns. It supports early career researchers through fellowships and awards, prioritising projects that improve patient care and quality of life. The Foundation is distinctive for its patient-involved governance and its commitment to translating basic science into clinical impact, often working in partnership with universities, the NHS, and military organisations.
What Scar Free Foundation funds
The Foundation funds research into scarring and visible difference, covering areas such as wound healing, scar prevention, and regenerative medicine. Its work spans molecular biology, novel therapeutics, and psychosocial support, with a strong focus on improving care for paediatric burns patients. The Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship supports early career burns researchers with pump-priming, feasibility studies, and proof of principle projects. There is no disciplinary requirement, and innovation from all fields is encouraged, so long as the project improves the quality of care for children and young people with burns. The work takes place in England and Wales, and funds can be used for equipment, travel, events, and training.
Who can apply
The Foundation funds individuals rather than organisations. The Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship is open to early career researchers based in England or Wales, working in any field relevant to paediatric burns care. Applicants should be seeking support for new projects that are not already running. The Foundation welcomes applications from researchers across disciplines, with no restriction on religious context. The Elective Award, when open, supports individual students in healthcare disciplines, but the Fellowship is the primary route for early career researchers.
What Scar Free Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund salaries for applicants or indirect costs. Funds must be used for new projects rather than projects that are already running. Applications that do not strictly follow the instructions in the form will be rejected. The Foundation does not fund core costs or non-research activities.
How they like to fund
The Foundation provides one-off grants, such as the Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship, which supports one early career researcher each year. Funding is project-based, covering equipment, travel, events, and training, but not salaries. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications, and its approach is collaborative, often working in partnership with universities, the NHS, and military organisations.
How much does Scar Free Foundation give?
Scar Free Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 25 sourced facts
- 1 rounds a year
- Single-year grants
- Online application form
- Single-year grants
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Scar Free Foundation funds — and what they won't
pump-priming, feasibility studies, and proof of principle projects intended to support early career burns researchers. There’s no disciplinary requirement: we encourage innovation from all fields, so long as your project improves the quality of care of paediatric burns patients.
The full exclusions list (3)
- Funds must be used for new projects rather than projects that are already running.
- Funds cannot be used for the personal salaries of the applicants or indirect costs.
- applications which do not strictly follow the instructions in this form will be rejected
Good to know
How to apply to Scar Free Foundation
Scar Free Foundation takes applications via email application.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Scar Free Foundation's application asks
We hold the 5 questions from Scar Free Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“What are the objectives of your Elective? To include: - Personal learning objectives - Proposed research aims and objectives - Research question”
Max 500 words
“Please tell us how you plan to meet these objectives Max 800 words Note: To include plan of investigation and how learning objectives will be achieved. References:”
Max 800 words
3 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Scar Free Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Scar Free Foundation provide?
Scar Free Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship: Up to £20,000 · Elective Award: Up to £1,200.
Where does Scar Free Foundation fund charities?
Scar Free Foundation funds charities operating in England, Wales.
Does Scar Free Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Scar Free Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Scar Free Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Funds must be used for new projects rather than projects that are already running.; Funds cannot be used for the personal salaries of the applicants or indirect costs.; applications which do not strictly follow the instructions in this form will be rejected. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Scar Free Foundation?
Scar Free Foundation takes applications via email application. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Scar Free Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.