Animal Defenders International Foundation (lord Dowding Fund For Humane Research)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £300,000 (approximate via Lord Dowding Fund)
• Success Rate: Currently very low (limited budget for new projects)
• Decision Time: 2-3 months
• Grant Range: Up to £75,000 (first application maximum)
• Geographic Focus: UK only
• Application Status: CURRENTLY PAUSED - Not accepting new applications

Contact Details

Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research

• Address: Vox Studios North, 1 Durham Street, London SE11 5JH
• Phone: 020 7630 3340
• Email: info@ldf.org.uk
• Website: www.ldf.org.uk
• General ADI Contact: info@ad-international.org.uk

Overview

Animal Defenders International Foundation (charity number 1166558) was established in 2014 and operates the Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research, which was transferred from the National Anti-Vivisection Society in 2016. The Fund, originally founded in 1974 and named in honour of Battle of Britain's Air Chief Marshal the Lord Dowding, awards grants to scientists undertaking medical research that benefits humans without using animals. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded grants approaching £2 million to researchers working across diverse fields including cancer research, microsurgery, neuroscience, toxicology, and educational computer simulations. The organization grants approximately £300,000 annually for projects demonstrating that medical progress is achievable without animal use. The charity's latest financial year (2024) showed total income of £430,047 and expenditure of £364,557. Important: The LDF has currently paused its application process and is not accepting new grant applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Lord Dowding Fund Research Grants

• Amount: Up to £75,000 for first applications
• Duration: Typically approved for one year, renewable subject to satisfactory progress
• Application Method: Previously accepted via quarterly deadlines (currently paused)
• Focus: Advanced medical and scientific research that does not use animals

Historical Note: Funding has ranged from purchase of simple one-off equipment items through to complete funding of projects, including salaries for 2-3 years.

Priority Areas

The Fund supports research aimed at replacing the use of laboratory animals in:

• Cancer Research: Breast cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors
• Neuroscience: Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's research, brain imaging (fMRI)
• Toxicology: Product safety testing, neurotoxicity research, e-cigarette toxicity, dental filling toxicity
• Medical Research: Kidney research, microsurgery, cataracts
• Educational Tools: Computer simulations and teaching packages replacing animal use
• Research Methodologies: Cell culture, computer-aided drug design, biotechnology, organ-on-a-chip models

Preferred Techniques: Cell culture, computer simulation, mathematical modeling, human tissue-based research, advanced imaging (fMRI)

What They Don't Fund

Strict Exclusions:

• Projects using animal tissues of any kind
• Monoclonal antibodies produced via the ascites method
• Research using embryonated eggs
• Research using artificially induced diseases in animals
• Individual PhD or post-graduate research (must be applied for by senior scientist/supervisor)
• “On costs” or institutional overhead payments
• Projects from researchers outside the UK
• Researchers who currently hold, or have held in the past 5 years, a licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Jan Creamer: Chief Executive of the Lord Dowding Fund (since 1986); President and co-founder of Animal Defenders International (since 1990)
• Tim Phillips: Vice President, ADI; Campaigns Director, NAVS
• Trustees: 7 trustees (no trustees receive remuneration)
• Staff: No employees earning over £60,000

The charity has 3 volunteers and no trading subsidiaries.

Quote from Leadership: Jan Creamer has been quoted emphasizing the Fund's mission: projects must demonstrate “that medical progress is possible without the use of animals.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The LDF has paused the application process and is not accepting new grant applications for funding at the current time.

When applications were being accepted, the process included:

Application Requirements:

• Signed covering letter on institution letterhead
• Completed application form (available for download from ldf.org.uk)
• Full CV for each applicant
• Detailed project description including:
• Duration
• Total costs
• Explanation of relevance to replacing animal research
• Names of scientific/medical referees

Previous Application Deadlines (when open):

• 1st January for April Meeting
• 1st April for July Meeting
• 1st July for October Meeting
• 1st October for January Meeting

Note: Applications received before 1st October were considered at the first board meeting of the following year.

Decision Timeline

• Review Period: 2-3 months expected
• Process: Applications may be submitted for peer review; Scientific department reviews and makes recommendations; Council of Management makes final decision
• Payment Terms: Successful projects paid quarterly in arrears upon receipt of invoice

Success Rates

Current Status: As the Lord Dowding Fund is supporting some long-term projects, the budget for new projects is currently limited, and the probability of receiving a grant is presently low. Applications are currently paused.

Historical Context: The Fund has awarded grants approaching £2 million since 1974, with typical annual giving around £300,000.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions were documented. However, given the current pause in applications and limited budget for new projects, prospective applicants should contact the Fund directly for guidance when applications reopen.

Application Success Factors

While applications are currently paused, the following factors have historically been important for success with the Lord Dowding Fund:

Strict Compliance Requirements:

• Absolutely no animal-derived materials: Projects that involve animal tissues, even from ethical sources, will not be considered. The Fund explicitly states that applications are “much more likely to succeed” if they involve no animal tissues whatsoever.
• No current or recent animal experimentation: Researchers must not hold (or have held in the past 5 years) a licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Research Quality Indicators:

• Clear demonstration of how the research replaces animal use
• Use of advanced human-relevant methodologies (cell culture, human tissue, computer modeling, fMRI)
• Strong scientific rationale with potential for significant human health benefits
• Projects with commercial potential (Fund expects consideration for potential commercial benefits)

Reporting and Accountability:

• Requirement for six-monthly progress reports
• Final technical report required
• Copies of all published papers must be submitted
• LDF reserves the right to cancel funding if project progress is unsatisfactory

Examples of Funded Research Areas (from historical records):

• Development of 3D human cell culture models free from animal-derived products (Eastman Dental Institute/University of Liverpool)
• Human brain imaging using fMRI for neuroscience research (Aston Brain Centre)
• Human breast cancer models for developing targeted therapies (Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine)
• Computer simulations for teaching that replace animal use in education (University of Edinburgh)
• Human brain cell culture for neurotoxicity research (Aston University)

Application Characteristics:

• First-time applicants should not request more than £75,000
• Projects may be funded for one year initially, with potential for renewal

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Applications currently paused: The Fund is not accepting new applications. Monitor ldf.org.uk or contact info@ldf.org.uk for updates on when applications will reopen
• Zero tolerance for animal materials: Do not apply if your research involves any animal tissues, animal-derived products, or if you hold/held an animal experimentation licence in the past 5 years
• UK researchers only: Geographic restriction is strictly enforced for practical and financial reasons
• Limited budget for new projects: Even when applications reopen, competition is expected to be extremely high due to ongoing commitments to long-term projects
• Human-relevant research prioritized: Focus on methodologies that use human cells, tissues, computer modeling, or advanced imaging rather than animal models
• Strong institutional backing needed: Applications from junior researchers must be submitted by senior scientists (PhD supervisor or head of research group)
• Long-term relationship potential: Successful one-year grants can be renewed if satisfactory progress is demonstrated, suggesting potential for multi-year funding relationships

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Animal Defenders International Foundation (Charity No. 1166558), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1166558&subid=0
2. Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research official website, http://www.ldf.org.uk/
3. Lord Dowding Fund - How to Apply, http://www.ldf.org.uk/research/49/52/298/
4. Lord Dowding Fund - Terms and Conditions of Acceptance, http://www.ldf.org.uk/research/49/52/297/
5. Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Dowding_Fund_for_Humane_Research
6. Lord Dowding Fund - 2012 Projects Funded, https://ldf.org.uk/research/49/51/2533/
7. National Anti-Vivisection Society - The Lord Dowding Fund, https://www.navs.org.uk/take_action/go.php?si=49
8. Animal Defenders International - About Us, https://www.ad-international.org/about_us/