Brain Tumour Research Campaign

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £221,080 (FY 2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle
• Grant Range: £35,000 - £180,000+ (based on funded projects)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (primarily Imperial College London/Charing Cross Hospital partnership)

Contact Details

Website: http://btrc-charity.org/

Email: wendy@btrc-charity.org

Phone: 020 8601 2402

Grant Applications: Download application form from website (btrc-charity.org/research/)

Overview

The Brain Tumour Research Campaign was founded in 2004 by Wendy Fulcher and consultant neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill, following the death of Wendy's husband John from a malignant brain tumour in 2001. Since its creation, BTRC has raised over £2 million to fund research projects primarily at Imperial College London and Charing Cross Hospital. The charity's mission is to promote neurological and medical research into brain tumours and publish results to the public through seminars, press articles, and medical journals. BTRC operates on a unique funding model where 100% of net donations go directly to research projects with no administrative spending. The charity works closely with the Neurosciences team at Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust), creating what has been described as a unique relationship with close connection between laboratory and clinical practice. BTRC's first investment established the Imperial College Neuro-oncology Research Group, which continues to collect tissue from brain tumour patients and operates under the Imperial NHS Trust Tissue Bank licence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BTRC accepts grant applications on a quarterly basis from any institution or organization working in brain tumour research. Applications are welcomed from across the field, though the charity maintains a strong partnership with Imperial College London.

Funding levels (based on awarded projects):

• Short-term projects: £35,000 - £75,000 (1-2 year studies)
• PhD studentships: £76,000 - £180,000 (3-year programs)
• Post-doctoral fellowships: £75,000+ per year
• Equipment purchases: £175,000+ (e.g., SonoWand surgical equipment)

Application method: Download application form from website; rolling quarterly review cycle

Priority Areas

BTRC prioritizes translational research - research that translates into treatments as quickly as possible. Specific funding priorities include:

• Metabolic pathway research: Understanding altered metabolic pathways of gliomas to identify therapeutic strategies
• Surgical innovation: Development of precision neurosurgical techniques and equipment
• Diagnostic technology: Non-invasive optical analysis and imaging technologies
• Clinical trials: Converting laboratory discoveries into clinical treatments
• Genetic and molecular research: Examining tumour behavior at molecular and genetic levels
• Patient outcome studies: Research examining patient pathways from diagnosis through treatment outcomes
• Laboratory infrastructure: Tissue banks, patient registries, and dedicated research facilities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but BTRC focuses exclusively on brain tumour research and does not fund general cancer research or non-research activities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 7 trustees (individual names not publicly listed except Chairman)

Chairman: Mr. Kevin O'Neill, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Head of Neurosurgery at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Co-founder of BTRC

Founder: Wendy Fulcher, who established BTRC following her husband's death from a brain tumour

Key Personnel: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity

Volunteers: 50 active volunteers

Leadership Quotes

Wendy Fulcher on the charity's founding motivation: “I needed to find a purpose to my life that had gone with the loss of my soul mate, my business partner and my husband... by doing this, I feel that perhaps some good may come from bad.”

Kevin O'Neill highlighted that brain tumour research was the “poor relation” of cancer charities, emphasizing the critical funding gap that BTRC aims to address.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Download application form from the BTRC website (btrc-charity.org/research/)
2. Submit applications - accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly review cycles
3. Eligibility: Applications welcome from any institution or organization working in brain tumour research
4. No geographic restrictions stated, though strong preference for Imperial College London partnership projects

Decision Timeline

• Review cycle: Quarterly basis
• Review process: Shortlisted applications reviewed by external panel of expert peer reviewers
• Panel selection: Reviewers selected for specific subject matter expertise
• Conflict of interest policy: Panel members from applicant's organization recused from decision-making
• Final decision: Made by Board of Trustees based on external expert advice
• Specific timeframes: Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity operates on a highly competitive basis consistent with other brain tumour research funding organizations in the UK.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Contact the charity directly for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Based on BTRC's funded project portfolio and stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Translational Focus

BTRC explicitly prioritizes research “that translates into treatments as quickly as possible.” Applications should clearly articulate the pathway from laboratory findings to clinical application.

Imperial College Partnership

While applications are accepted from any institution, BTRC has a strong established relationship with Imperial College London and Charing Cross Hospital. Projects that can leverage or contribute to this partnership infrastructure (tissue banks, patient registries, clinical access) may have strategic advantages.

Comprehensive Research Approach

Funded projects span the full research spectrum from laboratory science to clinical trials. BTRC values proposals that:

• Connect to existing infrastructure (tissue banks, patient registries)
• Include both basic science and clinical application components
• Address metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms
• Develop or utilize innovative surgical techniques or diagnostic tools

Track Record Examples

Recent funded projects include:

• BrainWear clinical study using wrist-worn trackers for patient monitoring
• Non-invasive optical analysis in neurosurgery pilot study
• Mucosal melanoma bioinformatics PhD studentship (£180,000 over 3 years)
• John Fulcher Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratory Phase II (£435,716 over 2 years)
• SonoWand neurosurgical equipment purchase (£175,000)

Peer Review Standards

Applications undergo rigorous external expert review. Proposals must meet high scientific standards and demonstrate clear methodology, feasibility, and potential impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• 100% funding promise: BTRC's commitment to zero administrative spending means all net donations fund research directly - emphasize value and impact in applications
• Translational research is paramount: Clearly articulate the pathway from discovery to clinical treatment; bench-to-bedside applications strongly preferred
• Quarterly cycles offer flexibility: No fixed annual deadlines; applications can be submitted when ready for next quarterly review
• Imperial College connection: While not required, projects that leverage or contribute to the Imperial College/Charing Cross partnership infrastructure have strategic alignment
• Funding range flexibility: BTRC has funded projects from £35,000 to over £400,000; scale proposals appropriately to research needs
• External peer review: Applications must meet rigorous scientific standards; ensure methodology is sound and clearly presented
• Personal mission-driven: Founded from personal tragedy, BTRC values research that offers hope and tangible progress toward better treatments and cures

References

• Brain Tumour Research Campaign Official Website -
• BTRC Research Page - Information on application process and research priorities -
• BTRC Research Projects - Examples of funded projects and grant amounts -
• BTRC About Us - Mission and operational information -
• BTRC Founders Page - Information on Wendy Fulcher and Kevin O'Neill -
• Charity Commission Register - BTRC (295895) - Financial information and governance data -
• Imperial College News: Celebrating Ten Years of Brain Tumour Research Excellence - Partnership history and impact -