Action For A-t

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,605,106 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Total Invested Since 2012: £5,700,000+
• Grant Range: Up to £250,000
• Grant Duration: Up to 3 years
• Geographic Focus: International (UK-based, funding globally)
• Research Projects: 60 total (19 ongoing, 41 completed)
• Scientists Involved: 312 across 44 global institutions

Contact Details

Address: Aruna House 2 Kings Road, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2QA

Website: www.actionforAT.org

Email: info@actionforAT.org (general inquiries)

tania.wheeler@actionforAT.org (research grant applications)

Phone: 01428 853313

Overview

Action for A-T was founded in January 2012 by parents Emily and Toby Read following their daughter's diagnosis with Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare, life-limiting genetic condition affecting the brain. Since inception, the charity has invested over £5.7 million in 60 pioneering research projects across the globe, becoming the leading charitable funder of A-T medical research in the UK. The organization's singular mission is to identify and fund high-quality peer-reviewed medical research into finding a cure or treatments that delay or prevent the disabling effects of A-T. Action for A-T is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and has been awarded a best practice certificate for peer review and research management. In 2024, the charity formed international collaborative partnerships with BrAshA-T (Australia) and AEFAT (Spain), jointly funding £1.3 million in new research studies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Short-Term Project Grants

• Amount: Up to £250,000
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Eligible Costs: Research post, consumables, and essential equipment
• Application Schedule: Fixed deadlines (typically annual)
• Eligibility: Applicants must be affiliated with an academic institution
• Not Funded: Further education (MSc/PhD), course fees, or indirect costs

Collaborative International Funding

• Joint funding opportunities with BrAshA-T (Australia) and AEFAT (Spain)
• Projects based in UK, Netherlands, USA, Spain, and other countries

Priority Areas

Action for A-T funds research that has potential to benefit A-T patients, with recent focus on:

• Gene therapy and CRISPR/Cas genome editing approaches
• Nucleic acid-based interventions targeting biological pathways
• Drug repurposing and identification of existing therapeutics
• Biomarker development for early diagnosis and monitoring
• Immune system function in A-T patients
• Cancer treatment improvements for A-T patients
• Assistive technology and quality of life interventions
• Natural history studies and clinical outcome measures

Research must be high-quality, peer-reviewed, and demonstrate a clear translational path to patient benefit.

What They Don't Fund

• Further education including MSc/PhD programs
• Course fees
• Indirect costs
• Basic research without clear translational potential to A-T patients

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Toby Read (Chairman) - Head of Underwriting Governance at AXIS Specialty Insurance, co-founder of Action for A-T
• Emily Read - Former HR manager, co-founded the charity following their daughter's diagnosis
• Chris Askew OBE - Interim Chief Executive at the General Pharmaceutical Council, formerly CEO at Royal College of General Practitioners and Diabetes UK
• Dr. Mark Toms - Pharmaceutical medicine professional
• Tom Shillingford - Lawyer in the pharmaceutical industry
• Maria Leonard - Solicitor and education rights advisor at National Autistic Society, founding trustee
• Will Rowberry - Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland Clinic London
• Joseph Frost - Senior Design Manager at Apple

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Executive Team

• Sean Kelly (Chief Executive) - Appointed May 2014, previously Director of Fundraising at Sparks charity
• Tania Wheeler (Research Manager) - Primary contact for research grant applications, former petrochemical company manager
• David Barker (Head of Fundraising) - Former events director at Sparks Charity
• Neale Sterio (Finance & Communications Administrator) - Former bond broker

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications follow a two-stage process:

Stage 1: Initial Summary

• Submit a 1-2 page summary via email to tania.wheeler@actionforAT.org
• Summary must include:
• Aim of work
• Translational path to patient benefit
• How research will benefit A-T patients
• Track record of applicants in the field
• Deadline: Typically September (e.g., September 25, 2023 at 16:00 UK time)

Stage 2: Full Application

• Invited applicants submit full proposals
• Deadline: Typically February (e.g., February 22, 2024 at 16:00 UK time)

Applications undergo rigorous peer review following AMRC best practice standards, including independent scientific advisory committees.

Decision Timeline

• Stage 1 Review: Approximately 1-2 months after initial summary deadline
• Final Notification: Approximately 2 months after full application deadline (e.g., April 2024 for February submission)
• Total Timeline: Approximately 7-8 months from initial summary to final decision

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly documented. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Research Manager for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

While specific success rates are not publicly available, Action for A-T's membership in AMRC and best practice certification indicates rigorous peer review standards. Based on their research portfolio, successful applications demonstrate:

Clear Patient Focus

• Research must show direct potential benefit to A-T patients
• Strong translational pathway from laboratory to clinical application
• Consider how findings will improve diagnosis, treatment, or quality of life for those with A-T

Scientific Excellence

• Robust methodology and experimental design
• Track record of publications and success in the research area
• Collaboration with established A-T research networks when appropriate

International Collaboration

• Consider joint funding opportunities with BrAshA-T and AEFAT
• Projects with international scope and multi-institutional collaboration are welcomed
• Cross-border partnerships strengthen applications

Research Diversity

• Recent funded projects span gene therapy, drug repurposing, biomarkers, immune function, cancer treatment, and assistive technology
• Novel approaches and innovative methodologies are valued
• Both basic science with clear translational potential and clinical studies are supported

Strategic Alignment

• Research that builds on previous Action for A-T funded studies shows understanding of the charity's portfolio
• Projects addressing key gaps in A-T research knowledge
• Work that advances the field toward treatments or cure

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two-stage process: Invest time in a compelling 1-2 page summary demonstrating translational potential and patient benefit
• Patient-centered research: Clearly articulate how your research will make a difference for people living with A-T
• Academic affiliation required: Ensure you are affiliated with an academic institution before applying
• International opportunities: Consider collaborative applications with BrAshA-T (Australia) or AEFAT (Spain) for broader impact
• AMRC standards: Applications undergo rigorous peer review following best practice standards—ensure scientific excellence
• Contact the Research Manager: Tania Wheeler is the primary contact for questions—reach out early if you need clarification
• Mission-driven funder: Founded by parents of a child with A-T, this charity has personal commitment to finding treatments and a cure

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• SIGHT RESEARCH UK
• Brain Research UK
• International Spinal Research Trust
• Rosetrees Trust
• Jeans for Genes Campaign
• NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH (INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH CCR)
• Brain Tumour Research
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust
• Leukaemia UK
• ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH

References

1. Action for A-T Official Website - www.actionforAT.org
2. Charity Commission Register - ACTION FOR A-T, Charity Number 1145303, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1145303&subid=0
3. Action for A-T Project Grants Page - https://actionforat.org/project-grants/
4. Action for A-T About Us - https://actionforat.org/action-for-a-t-about-us/
5. Action for A-T Meet the Team - https://actionforat.org/action-for-a-t-about-us/meet-the-team/
6. “Celebrating 12 Years of Research Impact” - Action for A-T, https://actionforat.org/12-years-of-research/
7. “New Collaborative Funding Partnership between Action for A-T, BrAshA-T Ataxia Telangiectasia and AEFAT” - Action for A-T News, https://actionforat.org/new-collaboration/
8. Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) Peer Review Standards - https://www.amrc.org.uk/principles-of-peer-review