British Dietetic Association General And Education Trust Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £92,888 (2025 financial year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Notification within 3 weeks of quarterly Trustees meeting
• Grant Range: £125 - £40,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Website: www.bda.uk.com/about-us/general-and-education-trust.html

Email: Steve.Doughty@Crossley.co.uk

Phone: 0121 200 8080

Address: British Dietetic Association GET, Interchange Place, 151-165 Edmund Street, Birmingham B3 2TA

Overview

The British Dietetic Association General and Education Trust Fund (GET) was established in 1981 as a registered charity (282553) to advance education and other charitable purposes related to the science of dietetics. The Trust operates separately from the main BDA and is managed by five trustees, some from the dietetics profession and some independent. With annual expenditure of approximately £93,000, the Trust makes grants to individuals and organisations engaged in dietetic research and associated activities. The Trust is particularly keen on supporting new researchers and dietitians looking to conduct research to support their clinical practice, with a strong emphasis on ensuring funded research benefits the wider dietetic community through effective dissemination.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants: £5,000 - £40,000

• Support for dietetic research that advances the science and practice of dietetics
• Can fund running costs, project costs, or partial salary support
• Applications assessed quarterly by Trustees
• Apply 6+ weeks before Trustees meeting

Conference Grants: up to £125 (currently capped)

• Support for BDA members presenting at conferences (posters or presentations)
• Covers delegate fees (max £100/day pro-rated), transport, and accommodation (max £125/night)
• Rolling applications reviewed quarterly
• Notification within two weeks
• Only one applicant per presentation funded

GET Awards (Annual Recognition Awards)

• Rose Simmonds Award: £3,000 for original research publication in peer-reviewed journals (previous 2 years)
• Elizabeth Washington Award: £2,000 for educational work in nutrition and dietetics
• Dame Barbara Clayton Award: £2,000 for dietetic innovation demonstrating patient/client benefits

Priority Areas

The Trust funds research and activities that:

• Advance the science and practice of dietetics
• Support new researchers entering the field
• Enable clinical practice research
• Promote professional development through conference participation
• Recognise excellence in dietetic research, education, and innovation
• Benefit the wider dietetic community through knowledge dissemination

Target Beneficiaries:

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• People of specific ethnic origins

What They Don't Fund

• Academic fees for PhD programmes
• Student training expenses (except through specific programmes)
• Computer equipment or software
• Subsistence costs (for conference grants)
• Conference attendance without presenting (with limited exceptions)
• Multiple applicants for the same presentation

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (5):

• Lorraine Watson
• Sophie Ella Davies
• Kathryn Elizabeth Grimshaw
• Angela Madden
• Michele Mackintosh

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust operates independently from the main British Dietetic Association structure.

Key Personnel Quote:

Sue Acreman, GET Trustee: “The Trust is always delighted to present these prestigious awards each year.”

Beneficiary Quote:

Dr. Sorrel Burden noted that a GET award enabled her to expand a pilot study into a “fully powered trial” investigating nutritional supplements for cancer patients.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Research Grants:

• Clear project aims and objectives
• Research question and methodology
• Ethical considerations
• Dissemination plan
• CVs of applicants and collaborators

Conference Grants:

1. BDA membership required
2. Abstract/poster must be accepted or formal invitation to present received
3. Apply online through BDA website
4. Must acknowledge GET in abstract/poster/presentation
5. Not previously received GET conference grant in current year

GET Awards:

• Nominations through BDA channels
• Judging panel reviews submissions
• Winners announced annually

Decision Timeline

Research Grants:

• Trustees meet quarterly
• 2026 meeting dates:
• 11 February (deadline: 31 December 2025)
• 13 May (deadline: 1 April 2026)
• 9 September (deadline: 29 July 2026)
• 4 November (deadline: 23 September 2026)
• Two professional reviewers assess each application
• Notification within 3 weeks of Trustees meeting

Conference Grants:

• Reviewed quarterly by Trustees
• Notification within 2 weeks of application

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust prioritises spreading funds widely across the profession while maintaining quality standards through a points-based assessment system.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publish a specific reapplication policy. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to contact the Trust for feedback and may reapply in subsequent funding rounds. For conference grants, the points-based system awards more points to applicants who have not previously received GET funding, suggesting support for first-time applicants.

Application Success Factors

Research Grants - What the Trust Looks For:

1. Clear alignment with Trust aims: Projects must demonstrably advance the science and practice of dietetics. The Trustees require that outcomes of all funded projects are disseminated in a way that benefits the practice of dietetics as widely as possible.

1. Strong research planning: Applications should include well-defined aims, objectives, research questions, and methodologies.

1. Ethical consideration: Address potential ethical issues upfront in the application.

1. Dissemination strategy: Demonstrate how research findings will benefit the wider dietetic community.

1. Support for emerging researchers: The Trust is particularly keen on supporting new researchers, so early-career applicants should highlight their development needs.

Examples of Previously Funded Projects:

• Study trip to the USA to evaluate diabetes management
• Research evaluating the impact of clinical placements on professional training
• 'Start-up' funding for a post to monitor developments in clinical effectiveness for dietitians

Conference Grants - Assessment Criteria (Points-Based System):

1. Previous funding history: Higher points awarded to those who haven't previously received GET funding
2. Subject matter relevance: Relevance to dietetic practice
3. Conference quality and benefit: Value of the specific conference
4. Wider benefit to dietetics: Demonstration of how attendance will benefit the broader dietetic community

Strategic Advice:

• Applications are reviewed by two professional peer reviewers, so ensure technical quality is high
• The Trust values research that advances both science and clinical practice
• Demonstrate clear benefit to the dietetic community, not just individual researchers
• For new researchers, emphasise how the grant supports your development in dietetics research

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• BDA membership is mandatory - You must be a BDA member to apply for research grants, conference grants, or GET awards
• Plan ahead for quarterly deadlines - Submit research grant applications at least 6 weeks before the quarterly Trustees meetings
• Emphasise wider impact - The Trust prioritises research that benefits the broader dietetic community through effective dissemination
• Support for new researchers - Early-career researchers are actively encouraged; highlight your development needs
• Quality over quantity - Applications undergo rigorous peer review by two professional reviewers, so technical quality matters
• Typical grants range £5,000-£40,000 - No set limits, but this reflects historical funding patterns
• Conference grants currently capped at £125 - Due to budget management and desire to spread funds widely across the profession

References

1. British Dietetic Association General and Education Trust Fund - Charity Commission Register. Charity No. 282553. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=282553&subId=0 (Accessed: December 2025)

1. General and Education Trust (GET) - British Dietetic Association. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/about-us/general-and-education-trust.html (Accessed: December 2025)

1. Research Grants - BDA. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/about-us/general-and-education-trust/get-trust-fund-grants.html (Accessed: December 2025)

1. Conference Grants - BDA. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/about-us/general-and-education-trust/conference-grants.html (Accessed: December 2025)

1. General and Education Trust Awards - British Dietetic Association. Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/about-us/general-and-education-trust/general-education-trust-awards.html (Accessed: December 2025)

1. Charity Commission financial records for British Dietetic Association General and Education Trust Fund (2021-2025)