British Elbow & Shoulder Society

Registered charity 1191220 · since 2020bess.ac.uk·England, Wales·Updated 31 October 2026

At a glance

Open to applications
Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

  • BESS's research grants suit clinical research into shoulder and elbow disorders, including projects meant for the NIHR portfolio, and its own website says it will not fund grants above £15,000, so keep any request at or below that figure.
  • Only shoulder and elbow consultants, orthopaedic trainee researchers supported by a shoulder and elbow consultant, and allied health professionals are listed as eligible for research grants, so other applicants should not apply for them.
  • Apply through the annually updated application form on its website before the final submission deadline of each annual round.
  • Applications are scored for importance, scientific methodology and justification of the funding request, so make the case for the work and the sum asked.
  • Its annual grant total and typical grant size are not stated, so judge how competitive it is before you rely on a particular amount.

Overview

British Elbow & Shoulder Society is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1191220).

The British Elbow & Shoulder Society (BESS) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Its purpose is to preserve and protect public health, mainly by promoting high quality care for patients who need shoulder and elbow surgery, promoting scientific research, and advancing education and training. Its Research Committee has up to £15,000 available each year for research grants, and it also circulates surveys and supports two James Lind Alliance projects, on common shoulder problems and on elbow conditions. It offers fellowships to help members develop their knowledge and skills, including an AHP fellowship, an Elbow fellowship and a Travelling fellowship.

What they fund

Priority Areas

BESS supports upper limb orthopaedic research through research grants and survey circulation, with a focus on clinical research into shoulder and elbow disorders. The grants are intended to set up and commence research projects, and projects intended for the NIHR portfolio qualify. Eligible applicants include shoulder and elbow consultants, orthopaedic trainee researchers supported by a consultant in the field, and allied health professionals. BESS also supports education through fellowships that help members develop their knowledge and skills; these awards are made following interview by its Education Committee and past presidents. Its wider work advances education, research and clinical excellence in elbow and shoulder surgery, for the benefit of patients through improved knowledge, practice and standards.

Themes

  • Shoulder and elbow research
  • Surgical education

What they don't fund

  • Research Grants only:
    • Shoulder and Elbow consultants, orthopaedic trainee researcher supported by a shoulder and elbow consultant or an Allied Health Professional
    • Funding will be available for clinical research into shoulder and elbow disorders
    • Please do not apply for grants above this figure

How to apply

Applications are made through an annually updated application form on the BESS website.

Deadlines: Each annual research-grant application round has a final submission deadline.

Who can apply:

  • Research grants: Shoulder and Elbow consultants, orthopaedic trainee researcher supported by a shoulder and elbow consultant or an Allied Health Professional.

Application success factors

What the charity says:

  • Applications are scored for importance, scientific methodology and justification of the funding request.
  • Projects intended for the NIHR portfolio qualify for funding.

Where they fund

Registered area of operation (Charity Commission)

Similar funders

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Five years of accounts

Financial yearIncomeExpenditureGrants paidAccounts document
year to 31 March 2022£357,848£237,856—Accounts for year to 31 March 2022
year to 31 March 2023£625,366£609,273—Accounts for year to 31 March 2023
year to 31 March 2024£423,770£359,608—Accounts for year to 31 March 2024
year to 31 March 2025£326,740£311,710—Accounts for year to 31 March 2025
year to 31 March 2026£411,161£345,525—Accounts for year to 31 March 2026

— No grants figure for that year.

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.

Sources

Other sources

This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.

Sources last checked on 31 October 2026.

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