Anatomical Society

Charity Number: 290469

Geographic Focus: Ireland, Scotland

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £1,617,076 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 weeks (for rolling grants)
  • Grant Range: £200 - £10,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK and Ireland
  • Application Schedule: Mixed (rolling and fixed deadlines)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.anatsoc.org.uk

Email: headoffice@anatsoc.org.uk

Phone: 0207 848 8234

Pre-application Support: Contact Head Office for queries about eligibility and application processes

Overview

The Anatomical Society, founded in 1887, is a UK registered charity (290469) and learned society dedicated to promoting, developing and advancing research and education in all aspects of anatomical science. With an annual income of approximately £1.6 million, the Society supports cutting-edge research through PhD studentships, research grants, travel awards, and prizes. The organization publishes the Journal of Anatomy and Aging Cell, organizes biannual scientific meetings, and has established international collaborations with anatomical societies in America and Europe. Recent strategic developments include a 2-year Training Programme in Anatomy developed with the American Association of Anatomists and the publication of a core clinical anatomy syllabus referenced in medical education guidelines.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

PhD Research Studentships (Annual, October start)

  • Fully funded 3-year PhD programs at UK and Ireland institutions
  • One studentship reserved for Early Career Investigators (within 12 years of PhD)
  • Fixed deadline: typically Spring applications for October start
  • Amount: Full PhD funding (stipend, fees, bench costs)

Anatomy Research Development Award (ARDA) (Annual)

  • £10,000 maximum (two awards available per year)
  • Deadline: 31st December annually
  • For discrete, small or pilot research projects lasting approximately one year
  • Online application via website

Undergraduate Summer Vacation Research Scholarships (Annual)

  • £3,200-£4,200 per award (8 bursaries offered annually)
  • For 4-10 week summer research placements
  • Deadline: Early Spring for summer placement
  • Fixed deadline application

Public Engagement and Outreach Grants (Rolling)

  • Up to £500 per grant (10 grants per year)
  • 6 rounds per year, deadlines 2 weeks before Council meetings
  • For anatomy-related public engagement activities
  • Rolling basis with fixed submission dates

Departmental Seminar Grants (Rolling)

  • £300 per grant
  • 6 rounds per year for academic session
  • For UK and Ireland university departments
  • Rolling basis

Support for Student Societies (Rolling)

  • £200 maximum per award (up to 6 per year)
  • For invited speakers or seminars
  • One application per institution per academic year
  • Rolling basis with 6 rounds per year

Travel Grants (Rolling)

  • Symington Bequest: £400-£1,000 for research and conference costs
  • Barclay-Smith Travelling Fund: Up to £400 for young members attending meetings
  • 6 rounds per year

Anatomy Training Programme Bursary (Biennial)

  • £350 per module or £700 per year
  • For structured anatomy training
  • Deadline: July/September

Priority Areas

  • Anatomical sciences research across all disciplines (gross anatomy, embryology, histology, neurosciences)
  • Education innovation in anatomy teaching
  • Public engagement and outreach in anatomical sciences
  • Career development for early career anatomists
  • Training for the next generation of anatomists

What They Don't Fund

  • Retrospective events or costs already incurred
  • Applications without full costing and justification
  • Multiple applications from the same applicant in the same financial year (for specific grant types)
  • Applicants who successfully received the same grant in the previous year (gap year required)
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Governance and Leadership

Officers

President: Professor Tracey Wilkinson (University of Birmingham) - Works with Council to promote, develop and advance research and education in the anatomical sciences

President Elect: Professor Abigail Tucker (King's College London)

Honorary Treasurer: Professor Kieran McDermott (University of Limerick)

Honorary Secretary: Professor Joanna Matthan (Newcastle University)

Education Officer: Dr Hannah Shaw (University of Cardiff)

Research Officer: Dr Lyndsay Murray (University of Edinburgh)

Council Structure

The Society is governed by an elected Council of Trustees that includes the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairs of Standing Committees, and an Early Career/Postgraduate member. All trustees serve as Directors of the company.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Membership Requirement: Most grants require applicants to be fully paid-up members of the Anatomical Society in good standing for at least one year by the application deadline. Student Society Support grants are an exception - applicants don't need to be members, but applications must be supported by an Anatomical Society member.

Application Methods:

  • Online application forms via website (www.anatsoc.org.uk)
  • Electronic submission through specified portals
  • Applications reviewed by Prizes and Awards Committee and Council

Application Schedule:

  • Fixed annual deadlines: PhD Studentships, ARDA (31st December), Undergraduate Scholarships (Spring)
  • Rolling deadlines (6 rounds per year): Public Engagement grants, Travel grants, Departmental Seminar grants, Student Society Support (deadlines 2 weeks before Council meetings)

Decision Timeline

Rolling Grants: Applications reviewed at Council meetings held 6 times per year. Deadlines are 2 weeks before meetings, with decisions typically communicated shortly after Council review (approximately 2-3 weeks from submission to decision).

Annual Grants: Timeline varies by program:

  • PhD Studentships: Applications in Spring for October start (approximately 6 months)
  • ARDA: December deadline with review in following months
  • Undergraduate Scholarships: Spring applications for summer placements

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the Anatomical Society.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Applicants: Those who successfully applied in the previous year cannot reapply the following year. A gap of one financial year (1st October to 30th September) is required before being eligible to apply again. This applies to Public Engagement grants, Departmental Seminar grants, and Undergraduate Scholarships.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: No explicit waiting period mentioned. Applicants may reapply in subsequent rounds.

Application Success Factors

Membership and Networking

The Society emphasizes that “non-members can attend and present work at meetings, providing the opportunity to make contact with individuals and establish professional connections with existing members, who may then be happy to give support.” Building relationships through attendance at their biannual meetings (Winter and Summer) is valuable for networking and finding member supporters.

Key Application Requirements

  • Full Costing: “All applications must be fully costed and all costs justified”
  • No Retrospective Applications: Awards will not be made for retrospective events or costs already incurred
  • Membership Status: Ensure membership fees are up to date and you've been a member for at least one year
  • Clear Research Output: For ARDA, “the nature of the project proposal must lead to a defined research output and must develop additional skills, knowledge, or direction to enhance future research activities”

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

PhD Studentships 2025:

  • “The influence of island evolution and domestication on size-shape relationships in the anatomy of Caprinae” (Dr Philip Cox, UCL)
  • “Microvascular defects beyond the spinal cord: a detailed morphological investigation” (Prof Simon H. Parson, University of Aberdeen)

Public Engagement Grants:

  • World Anatomy Day events (Dr James White, University of Birmingham)
  • “My Amazing Brain Exhibition” (Dr Siobhan McMahon, University of Galway)
  • Interactive web-based application for public education about hypospadias (Dr Michelle Welsh, University of Glasgow)

Education Innovation Award:

  • “The Synthetic Anatomy Module” - Integrated Innovative Anatomy Teaching Module (Dr Mandeep Gill Sagoo, King's College London)

Language and Terminology

The Society uses terms such as “anatomical sciences,” “next-generation anatomists,” “cutting-edge modern research,” and emphasizes “education innovation” and “public engagement.” Applications should demonstrate how they “promote, develop and advance” anatomical science.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Membership is crucial: Ensure you're a fully paid-up member for at least one year before most application deadlines. Attend Society meetings to network and establish connections.
  • Plan around the calendar: The Society operates on a financial year from 1st October to 30th September. Rolling grants have 6 rounds per year, so time your application strategically.
  • Cost everything thoroughly: Applications must include full costing with justification. Don't leave items unexplained.
  • Target early career support: The Society specifically reserves opportunities for early career investigators (within 12 years of PhD), showing commitment to career development.
  • Don't apply retrospectively: Never apply for funding for events or costs already incurred - applications must be prospective.
  • Demonstrate defined outputs: Particularly for research grants, show clear, measurable outcomes and how the project advances anatomical science.
  • Consider the breadth of anatomical sciences: The Society funds across gross anatomy, embryology, histology, neurosciences, and anatomy education - don't limit yourself to traditional definitions.

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References