Alopecia UK Research Pots 2023

We aim to provide hope and confidence to people affected by alopecia, by funding research to identify causes, effective treatments, and ultimately, cures. We are investing in research projects to explore key questions.

To see how these key areas for alopecia research were established, see our Priorities Setting Partnership.

Apply for an Alopecia UK research award

The aim of the Research Pots Grant Scheme is to provide support for new and innovative alopecia research. The funding can be used for pump priming projects, as co-funding for a larger project, or for full studies. Grants are awarded for a period of up to 24 months. Lead applicants should be based at a UK institution, but can draw on international collaborators. Please note Alopecia UK is unable to distribute funding outside of the UK.

In 2023, we are delighted to be able to continue funding high quality research on alopecia areata due to a generous legacy donation. This year, we are additionally offering up to £10,000 in research funding for a project on any type of alopecia other than areata.

Alopecia areata (two awards)

– The Committee’s Choice (up to £30,000). The winner will be selected by the Research Committee.

– The Patients’ Choice (up to £30,000). Following the Committee’s Choice, the Research Committee will identify up to three additional high-quality applications. People affected by alopecia will be invited to vote for the project they would like to receive funding. The project with the most votes will be awarded the funds.

This funding call is open to applications on biomedical, clinical and psychological research, which address the biological and physiological processes, as well as the psychological impacts, of alopecia areata. Please note, due to a specific clause in the legacy, this call is not open to research projects exploring other types of alopecia or experimental topical treatments.

All other types of alopecia (one award)

– The Committee’s Choice (up to £10,000). The winner will be selected by the Research Committee.

This funding call is open to applications on all research, which address an aspect of any type of alopecia, other than alopecia areata.

How to apply

Before making any application, please read our Terms and Conditions and other useful documents on our Information for Applicants page

To apply for one of our Research Pots grants, complete the application form and email it to [email protected] by the closing date of Friday 15 September 2023 at 12:00.

Funding decision:

Following eligibility checks and expert peer review, the Alopecia UK Lay Research Panel and Research Committee will meet to decide the winner of the Research Pots 2023 Committee's Choice and potential Patient's Choice awards in November.

Previous funding calls:

Alopecia UK have advertised five previous funding calls:

2022 - Alopecia UK awarded their first ever PhD bursary

2022 - Alopecia UK awarded Research Pots funding (up to £30,000 per project) to three new projects (success rate 43%)

2021 - Alopecia UK awarded Research Pots funding (up to £20,000 per project) to two new projects (success rate 25%) 

2020 - Alopecia UK awarded funding to four new projects, for three types of grant:

• Research Pots (up to £10,000). Success rate was 25%
• Small Grants (up to £1,500). Success rate was 33%
• PPI grants (up to £500). Success rate was 50%.

2018 - Alopecia UK awarded Research Pots funding (up to £10,000 per project) to two new projects (success rate 28%)

Information about all of our funded projects can be found on our Research Projects page

Interested in applying?

If you have any research project ideas you would like to discuss, further questions, or would like to request PPI support ahead of your submission, please email [email protected].