British Orthopaedic Association

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £3,047,890 (2023)
• Annual Expenditure: £3,333,080 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (varies by program)
• Grant Range: £500 - £65,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and Republic of Ireland (international fellowships available)

Contact Details

Main Office:

• Website: www.boa.ac.uk
• Email: secretary@boa.ac.uk
• Phone: 020 7405 6507
• Address: 38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE

Research Fellowship Enquiries:

• Applications via ORUK portal: https://oruk.grantplatform.com/

Overview

The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), established as the Surgical Specialty Association for Trauma and Orthopaedics in the UK, is a registered charity (No. 1066994) supporting 5,000 members throughout the UK and internationally. With an annual income of over £3 million, the BOA advances “the science, art and practice of orthopaedic surgery with the aim of bringing relief to patients of all ages suffering from the effects of injury or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.” The charity's funding activities focus on research grants, educational programs, and professional development through its Joint Action appeal, which raises funds to develop robust clinical research infrastructure including clinical trials and research fellowships. Between 2014-2020, BOA-supported research secured over £11 million in funding for 9 multi-centre studies, primarily from NIHR.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BOA/ORUK Research Fellowships (Annual, Fixed Deadline)

• Amount: Up to £65,000 per fellowship (2 awarded annually)
• Breakdown: Salary/stipend up to £60,000; additional £10,000 for research consumables, tuition, and travel
• Application Deadline: 12 noon, 14th July 2025
• Interview: September 2025 (online)
• Description: Supports research-active orthopaedic surgeons undertaking research in any aspect of orthopaedic surgery or surgical care (basic science, diagnosis, treatment, surgical technology, AI, logistics, audit) that supports a higher degree

BOA Travelling Fellowships (Annual, Fixed Deadline)

• Worldwide Fellowships: £1,500 (3 available), £3,000 (2 available), £10,000 (1 available)
• UK Fellowship: £3,000 (1 available, UK placement only)
• SAS Education Fellowship: £3,000 (for SAS/LED members)
• Andrew Sprowsen Fellowship: £1,500 (infection prevention focus)
• Soli Lam Spinal Fellowship: Up to £15,000 (spinal surgery education)
• Application Deadline: Early June (6th June 2025 for 2025 cycle)
• Description: Visits to overseas or UK centres of excellence

Robert Jones Medal and Association Prize (Annual, Fixed Deadline)

• Amount: £500 plus gold medal
• Application Period: 1st - 31st January
• Description: Essay competition for BOA members on subjects of orthopaedic interest (max 3,000 words, anonymized)
• Submission: Email to celia.jones@boa.ac.uk

Medical Student Elective Bursaries (Annual, Fixed Deadline)

• Amount: Up to £500
• Application Deadline: 28th February 2025
• Interview: 19th March 2025
• Description: For UK and Republic of Ireland medical students undertaking Trauma & Orthopaedics elective placements (February 2025 - January 2026 window)
• Additional Benefit: Guaranteed place at T&O Careers Day at BOA Annual Congress

Medical Student/Foundation Doctor Research Funding (Partnership with ORUK, BOTA, BOMSA)

• Amount: Up to £1,500
• Description: Research funding for medical students and foundation year doctors

Priority Areas

• Research in any aspect of orthopaedic surgery or surgical care
• Basic science related to musculoskeletal disorders
• Clinical diagnosis and treatment innovations
• Surgical technology and AI applications
• Logistics and audit in orthopaedic care
• Education and training for orthopaedic professionals
• Professional development at all career stages (trainees, SAS surgeons, post-CCT members)
• Diversity and inclusion within trauma and orthopaedics research

What They Don't Fund

• Non-orthopaedic/musculoskeletal research
• Non-UK residents for most programs (international fellows should contact their relevant International Association)
• Consultants in substantive posts (for most fellowships)
• Projects without clear educational or research benefit to orthopaedic surgery

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Governance and Leadership

Current Officers (2025-2026)

• President: Fergal Monsell (Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Hospital for Children Bristol)
• Vice President: Amar Rangan (Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, President of British Elbow and Shoulder Society)
• Honorary Secretary: Hiro Tanaka (Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)
• Honorary Treasurer: Ian McNab (Hand Surgeon)

Council Composition

• 6 Officers
• 12 Elected Trustees
• 2 Lay Trustees (Bertie Leigh, former Senior Partner at Hempsons; Paul Buckley, retired from General Medical Council)
• 11 Ex-Officio Members

Notable Trustee Priorities

• Deepa Bose: Passionate about “safeguarding the future generation of orthopaedic surgeons”
• Leela Biant: Wants to improve “working lives and daily stressors of colleagues”
• Peter Giannoudis (MBE, 2024): Focuses on “maintaining adequate workforce, supporting training and education”

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Research Fellowships:

• Submit via ORUK research portal: https://oruk.grantplatform.com/
• Deadline: 12 noon, 14th July 2025
• Critical: Supervisor Statement and Financial Declaration (from host institution) required - Financial Declaration can take “several weeks” to process
• Important: BOA membership required for at least 3 months before application; backdated applications must be received by 16th June 2025
• Anonymized review process (identifying details removed before panel review)

Travelling Fellowships:

• Applications via BOA website
• Review “Instructions and Advice document” before applying
• Trainees require letter of support from Training Programme Director
• Applications assessed on merit

Essay Prizes:

• Email submissions to specified contact
• Anonymized essays (do not include name)
• Standard formatting requirements

Decision Timeline

Research Fellowships:

• Application deadline: Mid-July
• Shortlisting: July-August
• Interviews: September (online, via video conference)
• Notification: Timings confirmed approximately 2 weeks before interviews
• Total timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from submission to decision

Travelling Fellowships:

• Application deadline: Early June
• Decision timeline: Not specified, but announcements typically made within 2-3 months

Essay Prizes:

• Submission window: January
• Decision: Not specified
• Note: “No award will be made unless a sufficient standard is achieved”

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. For Research Fellowships, 2 awards are made annually from an unspecified applicant pool. The blind review process is designed to reduce unconscious bias.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is published. The annual nature of most programs suggests reapplication is possible, but no waiting period or restrictions are specified.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factors

For Research Fellowships:

1. Start Early: “Allow sufficient time to complete all application requirements” - Financial Declaration can take several weeks
2. Ensure Eligibility: Must be BOA member for at least 3 months; verify membership status well in advance
3. Complete All Sections: Incomplete applications will not be considered
4. Supervisor Support: Strong supervisor statement is essential; one supervisor must be a BOA member
5. Research Quality: Projects should support pursuit of a higher degree and demonstrate clear impact
6. Flexibility Encouraged: Part-time and flexible working arrangements are actively encouraged (minimum 0.5 FTE)
7. Innovation: BOA encourages applicants to be “innovative in their approaches”

For Travelling Fellowships:

• Merit-based allocation emphasizes quality over quantity
• Demonstrate clear learning objectives and how the fellowship will enhance practice
• Show innovative approaches to learning

For Essay Prizes:

• High standard required (no award made if insufficient quality)
• Anonymization ensures fair review
• Must be of orthopaedic interest and demonstrate depth of understanding

BOA's Strategic Emphasis

The BOA is “fully supportive of diversity and inclusion within trauma and orthopaedics and within research” - applications that demonstrate commitment to these values may be viewed favorably.

Recent Award Examples

• Medical Student Essay Prize 2024: Andreas Conte - “National Guidelines - a Guaranteed Success?”
• Medical Student Essay Prize 2023: Sumedh Sridhar - “Bones, Burnout, and Beyond”
• Major Research Projects: Between 2014-2020, BOA-supported research included ACTIVE, L1FE, ProFHER-2, QIST, KreBS, PRESTO, and OPAL studies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Plan Ahead for Research Fellowships: Financial declarations can take several weeks - start the process at least 2 months before the deadline. Ensure BOA membership is active at least 3 months before application.

1. Broad Research Scope Welcome: The BOA funds research across the full spectrum of orthopaedic topics including AI, technology, logistics, and audit - not just clinical trials. This breadth offers opportunities for diverse projects.

1. Anonymized Review Process: Research fellowship applications undergo blind review to reduce bias - focus on the quality of your proposal rather than relying on reputation.

1. Flexible Working Encouraged: Part-time arrangements (minimum 0.5 FTE) are explicitly welcomed for research fellowships - don't let non-traditional working patterns prevent application.

1. Multiple Funding Opportunities: BOA offers programs across career stages (medical students to post-CCT) and program types (research, travel, education) - identify the most appropriate match for your career stage and goals.

1. Partnership Leverage: BOA works closely with ORUK, BOTA, and BOMSA - understanding these partnerships and their respective funding streams can identify additional opportunities.

1. Quality Over Quantity: Several programs (especially essay prizes) explicitly state no award will be made unless sufficient standard is achieved - ensure high-quality, well-prepared submissions rather than rushing to meet deadlines.

References

1. British Orthopaedic Association official website - www.boa.ac.uk (Accessed 8 October 2025)
2. BOA Research Fellowships page - https://www.boa.ac.uk/learning-and-events/fellowships-awards/research-fellowships.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
3. BOA Travelling Fellowships page - https://www.boa.ac.uk/learning-and-events/fellowships-awards/travelling-fellowships.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
4. BOA Awards and Prizes - https://www.boa.ac.uk/learning-and-events/fellowships-awards/awards-and-prizes.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
5. BOA Council and Governance - https://www.boa.ac.uk/about-us/governance/council.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
6. Joint Action: The Orthopaedic Research Appeal - https://www.boa.ac.uk/research/joint-action-the-orthopaedic-research-appeal.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
7. Charity Commission Register - British Orthopaedic Association (1066994) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1066994 (Accessed 8 October 2025)
8. Orthopaedic Research UK - BOA/ORUK Research Fellowship - https://oruk.org/boa-oruk-research-fellowship/ (Accessed 8 October 2025)
9. BOA Medical Student Elective Bursaries - https://www.boa.ac.uk/learning-and-events/fellowships-awards/awards-and-prizes/medical-student-elective-bursaries.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)
10. BOA Research Fellowship Application Guide - https://www.boa.ac.uk/learning-and-events/fellowships-awards/research-fellowships/how-to-apply.html (Accessed 8 October 2025)