Professional skincare brand Circadia has unveiled ‘The Sage Michaela Lucas Timing is Everything scholarship’ to support biracial, indigenous and persons of colour (BIPOC) pursuing a career in the professional esthetics sector.

The award is open to aesthetics students enrolled in an accredited US or Canadian programme, pursuing a career in aesthetics, skincare formulation and/or cosmetic chemistry.

Applications are open now, and Circadia has donated 10 US$5,000 (€4,118, £3,663) tuition scholarships which will be awarded evenly between 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, two awards will be dispersed during 1 March – 31 May, and three will be given out between 1 September – 30 November.

Circadia CEO Michael Pugliese established the scholarship as a long-time advocate for inclusivity and diversity.

“Traveling around the US as an educator, it became clear to me that some aesthetics students were at a disadvantage based on educational resources in their communities,” he said.

“Timing is everything in skincare and early access to quality education can set students up for lifetime success.”

To apply, students must submit proof of enrollment for an aesthetics programme by uploading an acceptance letter, progress report or official letter from their school.

They’re also required to submit a three- to five-minute video expressing why they’re entering the aesthetics industry and how they aim to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in their career.

A panel of judges representing the professional skincare sector will then evaluate awardees’ video submissions and select winners.

More information about applications is available via Beauty Changes Lives.

While the scholarship’s name honours Pugliese’s daughter who identifies as a person of colour, the funding reflects Circadia’s core values of inclusivity, diversity and education.

“As a company committed to equality in education, Circadia has a responsibility to nurture and support under-represented esthetic students while helping the industry build a more diverse cohort of professionals,” he said.