New for 2022!

Alopecia UK is committed to supporting the growth of high-quality research on alopecia. Through launching a PhD Bursary, we aim to encourage the best basic scientists and healthcare professionals (with co-funding to top up a clinical salary) to embark on a career in alopecia research.

Thanks to a generous legacy, Alopecia UK is inviting applications for a PhD Bursary to be taken up in October 2023.

This Bursary is open to applications on biomedical, clinical and psychological research, which addresses the biological and physiological processes, as well as the psychological impacts, of alopecia areata. 

Please note, due to a specific clause in the legacy funding this bursary, the 2022 PhD bursary is not open to research projects exploring other types of alopecia or experimental topical treatments. 

Co-funding

Alopecia UK welcomes applications for a fully funded bursary, as well as for co-funding. If applications score equally high on quality, originality and relevance to alopecia areata, we will give priority to applications that have co-funding in place (from either collaborating institutions or external funders), for up to 50% of the cost of PhD studentships.

The PhD Bursary will provide a three-and-a-half year, tax-free award that will fund tuition fees up to the value of UK Home fees; students with overseas status are welcome to apply but will need to fund the remainder of their fees from alternative sources. Studentship awards include tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend, and a contribution towards research and training costs (see budget below).

For more information, download our Research Strategy.

All applicants and the involved institutions should agree to accept and adhere to the Alopecia UK PhD Bursary Terms and Conditions of Award before applying for funding.

Award budget

The PhD Bursary award will cover studentship costs for three years:

• UK university home student tuition fees of up to £5,000;
• Tax-free stipend starting at £17,000 in the first year, with annual increments to take into account inflation, plus a London allowance for those working in London;
• Up to £10,000 per year towards the cost of consumables and equipment.

Before making any application, please read the Alopecia UK PhD Bursary Guidance, and the Alopecia UK PhD Bursary Terms and Conditions of Award.

See also other useful documents on our 'Information for Applicants' page here. 

To apply for a PhD bursary 2022, complete the Alopecia UK PhD Bursary application form and email it, together with the requested supporting documentation, to [email protected]

Closing date for applications for the Alopecia UK PhD bursary 2022:  Weds 14 September 2022 at 12pm midday.

Funding decision:

Following eligibility checks and expert peer review, the Alopecia UK Lay Research Panel and Research Committee will meet to decide the winner(s) of the PhD bursary award(s) in October 2022. The PhD project is expected to begin in the autumn of 2023.

Interested in applying?

If you wish to discuss a PhD project idea, or if you have a request for Patient/Public Involvement (PPI) input or any questions, please email [email protected].