Charities, foundations and trusts
There are all sorts of philanthropic organisations dedicated to helping people pay for educational pursuits. These vary from major charities with millions of pounds dedicated to specialist research, to small trusts offering modest grants to help pay for books or travel. Some are very niche in their remits (funding just research into specific topics, such as the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals, or by people from specific places or social groups), and others are much more general. It is worth researching opportunities thoroughly, and writing speculative letters to appropriate bodies who may not have formal application processes.
We've put together a list of just some of the bodies who provide funding for educational pursuits. You can browse them roughly via area of interest on this page.
All Saints Educational Trust
Email: aset@aset.org.uk
Phone: 020 7248 8380
Web: www.aset.org.uk
Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL)
Email: cbrl@britac.ac.uk
Phone: 0207 969 5296
Web: www.cbrl.org.uk
Countess of Munster Musical Trust
Email: admin@munstertrust.org.uk
Phone: 01428 685 427
Web: www.munstertrust.org.uk
Hattori Foundation
Email: admin@hattorifoundation.org.uk
Phone: 020 7620 3053
Web: www.hattorifoundation.org.uk
National Gallery
Email: information@ng-london.org.uk
Phone: 020 7747 2885
Web: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust
Email: Oppenheimdownes@gmail.com
Phone: 020 7227 7000
Web: www.oppenheimdownestrust.org
Philharmonia Orchestra / Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Email: emergingartists@philharmonia.co.uk
Phone: (+44) 020 7921 3900
Web: www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/emerging/instrumental_fellowships/awards
ROSL Arts (Royal Over-Seas League)
Email: roslarts@rosl.org.uk
Phone: 020 7408 0214
Web: www.rosl.org.uk/page.php/43/ROSL-ARTS.html
Royal Historical Society
Email: m.ransom@royalhistsoc.org
Phone: 020 7387 7532
Web: www.royalhistsoc.org/grants
Royal Institute of Philosophy
Email: j.garvey@royalinstitutephilosophy.org
Phone: 020 7387 4130
Web: www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/funding-education/postgraduate-funding
Royal Philharmonic Society
Email: web@royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk
Phone: 020 7491 8110
Web: www.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk
Royal Scottish Academy
Email: info@royalscottishacademy.org
Phone: 0131 225 6671
Web: www.royalscottishacademy.org
Scouloudi Foundation
Email: ihr.reception@sas.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7862 8740
Web: www.history.ac.uk/fellowships/scouloudi-historical-awardsresearch-awards
Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies
Email: office@hellenicsociety.org.uk
Phone: 0207 862 8730
Web: www.hellenicsociety.org.uk/grants/
Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies
Email: office@romansociety.org
Phone: 020 7862 8727
Web: www.romansociety.org/grants-prizes.html
Society for Theatre Research
Email: contact@str.org.uk
Web: www.str.org.uk
Society of Authors
Email: info@societyofauthors.org
Phone: 020 7373 6642
Web: www.societyofauthors.org/Grants
www.societyofauthors.org/Prizes
The Rebecca Skelton Fund for Dance Research and Performance
Email: rebeccaskeltonfund@chi.ac.uk
Phone: 01243 812 137
Web: www.rebeccaskeltonfund.org
Trustees of Theodora Bosanquet Bursary
Email: grants@ffwg.org.uk
Phone: 01732 321 139
Web: www.ffwg.org.uk
Worshipful Company of Musicians
Email: clerk@wcom.org.uk
Phone: 020 7496 8980
Web: www.wcom.org.uk
Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL)
Email: cbrl@britac.ac.uk
Phone: 0207 969 5296
Web: www.cbrl.org.uk
NHS Business Services Authority
Email: nhsbsa.sbaccount@nhs.net
Phone: 0300 330 1342
Web: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/SWB
Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
Email: briansmith@reesjeffreys.org
Phone: 0560 384 9370
Web: www.reesjeffreys.org
Responsible Gambling Trust
Email: enquiries@rgf-rgsb.org.uk
Phone: 0207 397 8710
Web: www.responsiblegamblingtrust.org.uk
RICS Research Trust
Email: ajohal@rics.org
Phone: 024 7686 8555
Web: www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/research/research-trust
Royal Anthropological Institute
Email: admin@therai.org.uk
Phone: 020 7387 0455
Web: www.therai.org.uk
Social Workers' Educational Trust
Email: swet@basw.co.uk
Phone: 0121 622 3911
Web: socialworkerseducationaltrust.org.uk/scholarships
UKEIG (UK eInformation Group)
Email: awards@cix.co.uk
Phone: 020 7255 0500
Web: www.cilip.org.uk/page/SpecialInterestGroup
Alzheimer's Research UK
Email: research@alzheimersresearchuk.org
Phone: 01223 843 899
Web: www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/grant-schemes
Alzheimer's Society
Email: research@alzheimers.org.uk
Phone: 020 7423 3500
Web: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Backcare
Email: info@backcare.org.uk
Phone: 020 8977 5474
Web: www.backcare.org.uk
Biochemical Society
Email: education@biochemistry.org
Phone: 020 7685 2400
Web: https://www.biochemistry.org/grants-and-awards/
Breast Cancer Research
Email: grants_admin@breastcancernow.org
Phone: 020 7749 4121
Web: breastcancernow.org/breast-cancer-research/funding-for-researchers
British Ecological Society
Email: grants@britishecologicalsociety.org
Phone: 020 7685 2500
Web: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/grants-awards
Cancer Research UK
Email: grants.helpline@cancer.org.uk
Phone: 0203 469 5452
Web: www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Email: researchgrants@cysticfibrosis.org.uk
Phone: 020 3795 1555
Web: www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/the-work-we-do/research/research-we-are-funding/apply-for-funding
Diabetes UK
Email: research@diabetes.org.uk
Phone: 020 7424 1076
Web: www.diabetes.org.uk/Research/For-researchers
Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research
Email: info@drhadwentrust.org
Phone: 01462 436 819
Web: www.animalfreeresearchuk.org/apply-for-funding
Epilepsy Action
Email: researchadmin@epilepsy.org.uk
Phone: 0113 210 8805
Web: www.epilepsy.org.uk/research
Fungal Infection Trust
Email: secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org
Phone: 0162 5550 0228
Web: https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/research-grants/
The Gen Foundation
Email: info@genfoundation.org.uk
Phone: 020 7495 5564
Web: www.genfoundation.org.uk
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Phone: 0118 983 5555
Web: www.guidedogs.org.uk
GAIN (Guillain-Barré & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies)
Email: director@gaincharity.org.uk
Phone: 01529 469 910
Web: gaincharity.org.uk/research
Guts UK (charity fighting digestive diseases)
Email: info@gutscharity.org.uk
Phone: 020 7486 0341
Web: gutscharity.org.uk/research/investing-future-researchers
Heart Research UK
Email: info@heartresearch.org.uk
Phone: 01132 347 474
Web: https://heartresearch.org.uk/medical-research-grant-apply/
Institute of Cancer Research
Email: registry@icr.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7352 8133
Web: www.icr.ac.uk/studying-at-the-icr/phds-for-science-graduates
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
Email: catherine.tuke@iom3.org
Phone: 020 7451 7300
Web: www.iom3.org/content/awards
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Email: awards@theiet.org
Phone: 01438 765 535
Web: www.theiet.org/postgradawards
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Email: enquiries@imeche.org
Phone: 020 7222 7899
Web: www.imeche.org/careers-education/scholarships-and-awards
Intensive Care Society
Email: Jenny@ics.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7280 4350
Web: www.ics.ac.uk/icf/research-and-achievements/grants-and-research-awards
IWHM Bernard Butler Trust Fund
Email: info@bernardbutlertrust.org
Phone: 07548 966568
Web: www.bernardbutlertrust.org/grants
Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund
Email: info@kklf.org.uk
Phone: 020 7410 0330
Web: www.kklf.org.uk
Kidney Research UK
Email: grants@kidneyresearchuk.org
Phone: 0300 303 1100
Web: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/research/apply-for-funding
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research
Phone: 020 7504 2200
Web: www.bloodwise.org.uk/we-research
Lord Dowding Fund for Human Research
Email: info@ldf.org.uk
Phone: 020 7630 3340
Web: www.ldf.org.uk/research
Meningitis Research Foundation
Email: annaj@meningitis.org
Phone: 01454 280410
Web: www.meningitis.org/grants
Migraine Trust
Email: info@migrainetrust.org
Phone: 020 7631 6970
Web: https://migrainetrust.org/what-we-do/our-commitment-to-research/
Mineralogical Society
Email: info@minersoc.org
Phone: 020 8891 6600
Web: www.minersoc.org/bursaries.html
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Email: Research.grants@mndassociation.org
Phone: 01604 611873
Web: www.mndassociation.org/research/for-researchers/research-grants
Natural History Museum
Email: A.Hutson@nhm.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7942 5466
Web: www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/postgraduate
Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children
Email: info@newlifecharity.co.uk
Phone: 01543 462 777
Web: www.newlifecharity.co.uk
NHS Business Services Authority
Email: Nhsbsa.sbaccount@nhs.net
Phone: 0300 330 1345/0191 279 0570
Web: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
North West Cancer Research Fund
Email: research@nwcr.org
Phone: 0151 709 2919
Web: www.nwcr.org/research-funding
Parkinson's UK
Email: researchapplications@parkinsons.org.uk
Phone: 020 7931 8080
Web: www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research-grants
Petsavers
Email: info@petsavers.org.uk
Phone: 0145 2726 723
Web: www.petsavers.org.uk/Apply-for-funding
Physiological Society
Email: edufunding@physoc.org or grants@physoc.org
Phone: 020 7269 5710
Web: www.physoc.org/grants-prizes
RCN Foundation
Email: rcnfoundation@rcn.org.uk
Phone: 020 7647 3645
Web: https://rcnfoundation.rcn.org.uk/apply-for-funding/educational-grants
Remedi
Email: research@remedi.org.uk
Phone: 020 7384 2929
Web: www.remedi.org.uk/research_applications
Royal Academy of Engineering
Email: ian.forristal@raeng.org.uk
Phone: 020 7766 0600
Web: www.raeng.org.uk/grants-and-prizes
Royal Aeronautical Society
Email: Rosalind.azouzi@aerosociety.com
Phone: 020 7670 4325
Web: www.aerosociety.org.uk/Careers-Education
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Email: awards@rcog.org.uk
Phone: 020 7772 6345
Web: https://www.rcog.org.uk/careers-and-training/awards/
Royal Horticultural Society
Email: bursaries@rhs.org.uk
Phone: 020 3176 5800
Web: www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/bursaries-grants
Royal Society of Medicine
Email: events@rsm.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7290 3941
Web: www.rsm.ac.uk/prizes-awards
Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust
Email: admin@stapleytrust.org
Web: www.stapleytrust.org
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Email: Je-SHelp@rcuk.ac.uk
Phone: 01793 444164
Web: www.stfc.ac.uk/funding
Society for Endocrinology
Email: grants@endocrinology.org
Phone: 01454 642 200
Web: www.endocrinology.org/grants
Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine
Email: christine.williams@sommcourses.org
Phone: 0151 237 3970
Web: https://sommcourses.org/
Society for Underwater Technology
Email: cheryl.ince@sut.org
Phone: 020 3440 5535
Web: www.sut.org/educational-support-fund
The Humane Research Trust
Email: info@humaneresearch.org.uk
Phone: 0161 439 8041
Web: www.humaneresearch.org.uk/apply-for-funding
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
Email: ufaw@ufaw.org.uk
Phone: 01582 831 818
Web: www.ufaw.org.uk/grants-and-awards/ufaw-grants-and-awards
Wellbeing of Women
Email: hello@wellbeingofwomen.org.uk
Phone: 020 3697 7000
Web: www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/wellbeing-of-women-apply-funding-research-grants-fellowships-scholarships
Wellcome Trust
Email: contact@wellcome.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7611 8888
Web: www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding
Worshipful Company of Engineers
Email: clerk@engineerscompany.org.uk
Phone: 020 7726 4830
Web: www.engineerstrust.org.uk
American Association of University Women
Email: connect@aauw.org
Web: www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards
Anglo-Danish Society
Email: scholarships@anglodanishsociety.org.uk
Phone: 07745 102658
Web: www.anglo-danishsociety.org.uk/scholarships
British Federation of Women Graduates
Email: awardsqueries@bfwg.org.uk
Web: bfwg.org.uk/bfwg2/awards
East Lothian Educational Trust
Email: eleducationaltrust@eastlothian.gov.uk
Phone: 01620 827 273
Web: www.eastlothian.gov.uk
Entente Cordiale Scholarships
Email: francine.peyroux@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Phone: 020 7073 1312
Web: https://francobritish.org/en/entente-cordiale/
Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships
Email: annie@kennedytrust.org.uk
Phone: 020 7222 1151
Web: www.frankknox.harvard.edu
Funds for Women Graduates
Email: grants@ffwg.org.uk
Phone: 01732 321 139
Web: www.ffwg.org.uk
Futures for Women
Email: futuresforwomen@btinternet.com
Web: www.futuresforwomen.org.uk
George Walford International Essay Prize
Email: gwiep.net@gmail.com
Web: www.gwiep.net
Glasgow Educational and Marshall Trust
Email: enquiries@gemt.org.uk
Phone: 0141 2218272
Web: www.gemt.org.uk
Graduate Women International
Email: hgq@graduatewomen.org
Phone: +41 22 731 2380
Web: www.graduatewomen.org
James Pantyfedwen Foundation
Email: pantyfedwen@btinternet.com
Phone: 01970 612 806
Web: www.jamespantyfedwenfoundation.org.uk
Monash Awards
Email: judith.landsberg@johnmonash.com
Web: www.monashawards.org
NESTA
Email: information@nesta.org.uk
Phone: 020 7438 2500
Web: www.nesta.org.uk/get-funding
Rhodes Trust
Email: admin@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
Phone: 01865 270 902
Web: www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Email: contact.center@rotary.org
Phone: 01789 765 411
Web: www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/take-action/apply-grants
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Email: grants@rgs.org
Phone: 020 7591 3073
Web: www.rgs.org/grants
Sir Halley Stewart Trust
Email: email@sirhalleystewart.org.uk
Phone: 020 8144 0375
Web: www.sirhalleystewart.org.uk
Sir William Boreman's Foundation
Email: charities@thedrapers.co.uk
Phone: 020 7588 5001
Web: https://thedrapers.co.uk/sir-william-boremans-foundation/
Snowdon Trust
Email: info@snowdontrust.org
Phone: 01403 732899
Web: www.snowdontrust.org/grants
US-UK Fulbright Commission
Email: programmes@fulbright.co.uk
Web: www.fulbright.co.uk
The Vegetarian Charity
Email: grantssecretary@vegetariancharity.org.uk
Web: www.vegetariancharity.org.uk
The Wolfson Foundation
Phone: 020 7323 5730
Web: www.wolfson.org.uk/funding
