British Society For Research On Ageing
Charity Number: 1174127
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: Not disclosed
- Success Rate: Not available
- Decision Time: Not specified
- Grant Range: £500 - £3,000
- Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
Contact Details
- Website: http://bsra.org.uk/
- Phone: 07981 993 912
- Email: Secretary@BSRA.org.uk
- Grant enquiries: grants@bsra.org.uk
Overview
The British Society for Research on Ageing (BSRA) is a UK charity (registered number 1174127) dedicated to promoting research into the biological mechanisms of ageing. The organization supports early-to-mid career researchers through small grants, travel awards, and studentships, fostering scientific understanding of why and how organisms age. BSRA operates with the perspective that while ageing is not a disease itself, it increases the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Their grant programs specifically target promising researchers with substantive posts at UK institutions, providing crucial seed funding for innovative research into the biology of ageing.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Small Research Grant: Up to £3,000 (12-month maximum duration) - Supports early-to-mid career researchers for equipment, consumables, and research costs. Applications open from 2nd January annually.
- Travel Grant: Up to £500 - Covers conference attendance and presentation costs including registration, travel, economy flights, and accommodation. Applications open from 2nd January annually.
- Summer Studentship: £3,000 (£300 per week for 10 weeks) - Provides undergraduate students with research experience in the biology of ageing.
Priority Areas
- Biological mechanisms of ageing
- Research that could potentially delay ageing and associated health decline
- Studies exploring why and how organisms age
- Interventions to minimize age-related health challenges
What They Don't Fund
- Staff salaries
- Research overheads
- Non-UK institutions
- Researchers without substantive posts
- Research unrelated to the biology of ageing

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Governance and Leadership
The BSRA maintains a Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Trustees to oversee its charitable activities and grant programs. The organization follows the Association of Medical Research Charities peer review principles for grant evaluation. The society also awards the Lord Cohen Medal and maintains a Conference Awards Hall of Fame to recognize exceptional contributions to ageing research.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Grant applications are submitted via email to grants@bsra.org.uk. Applicants must:
- Be a BSRA member (membership costs £50/year for full members, £20/year for students)
- Download the application form from the Members area of the website
- Complete the form and attach up to 2 supporting figures
- Submit by email to grants@bsra.org.uk
Applications typically open from 2nd January each year.
Decision Timeline
Not specified in available documentation.
Success Rates
Success rate information not publicly available. The organization notes that no feedback is provided for unsuccessful applications.
Reapplication Policy
Applicants are limited to one submission per year across all grant categories.
Application Success Factors
Based on BSRA's specific requirements and focus:
- Membership in BSRA is mandatory - ensure membership is active before applying
- Research must clearly align with the biology of ageing - not clinical or social aspects
- Early-to-mid career researchers (up to 10 years post-PhD) are preferred for Small Research Grants
- Budget must exclude salary and overhead costs
- Maximum of 2 supporting figures can strengthen the application
- Acknowledgment of BSRA funding in all research outputs is required
- Applicants must commit to producing a final report
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Membership is essential - Factor in £20-50 annual membership cost and ensure active membership before applying
- Narrow research focus - BSRA exclusively funds biological ageing research, not clinical trials or social gerontology
- Small grants for specific purposes - Maximum £3,000 with strict restrictions on use (no salaries or overheads)
- Career stage matters - Priority given to early-to-mid career researchers (within 10 years of PhD)
- Annual application limit - Only one grant application permitted per researcher per year
- No feedback process - Unsuccessful applicants receive no feedback, making initial application quality crucial
- January application window - Applications open from 2nd January annually
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References
- British Society for Research on Ageing official website (http://bsra.org.uk/) -
- BSRA Grants page (http://bsra.org.uk/grants) -
- BSRA About page (http://bsra.org.uk/about) -
- BSRA Membership page (http://bsra.org.uk/membership) -
- BSRA Join page (http://bsra.org.uk/join-bsra) -