British Society for Research on Ageing

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not disclosed
• Success Rate: 62-67% (varies by grant type)
• 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 organisation 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 programmes 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 Programmes

• Small Research Grant: Up to £3,000 (12-month maximum duration) - Supports early-to-mid career researchers for equipment, consumables, and research costs. Applications typically open in January annually.
• Travel Grant: Up to £500 - Covers conference attendance and presentation costs including registration, travel, economy flights, and accommodation. Applications typically open in January annually.
• Summer Studentship: £3,000 - Provides undergraduate students with research experience in the biology of ageing during the summer period.

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 minimise 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 programmes. The society also awards the Lord Cohen Medal and maintains a Conference Awards Hall of Fame to recognise exceptional contributions to ageing research.

How to Apply to British Society For Research On Ageing

How to Apply

Grant applications are submitted via email to grants@bsra.org.uk. Applicants must:

1. Be a BSRA member (membership costs £50/year for full members, £20/year for students)
2. Download the application form from the Members area of the website
3. Complete the form and attach up to 2 supporting figures
4. Submit by email to grants@bsra.org.uk

Applications typically open in January each year.

Decision Timeline

Not specified in available documentation.

Success Rates

• Summer Studentships: 62% (based on 2023-2024 data)
• Travel Awards: 67% (based on 2023-2024 data)
• Small Research Grants: Success rate information not publicly available

Note that no feedback is provided for unsuccessful applications.

Application Restrictions

• Only one submission per applicant is permitted per year across all grant categories
• Successful funding recipients are ineligible to apply for further funds for a 2-year period

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)
• Application restrictions - Only one grant application permitted per researcher per year, and successful recipients cannot reapply for 2 years
• No feedback process - Unsuccessful applicants receive no feedback, making initial application quality crucial
• Strong success rates - Summer Studentships and Travel Awards have success rates of 62-67%, higher than many other funders
• January application window - Applications typically open in January annually

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Dunhill Medical Trust (vivensa Foundation)
• The Frances And Augustus Newman Foundation
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Alzheimer's Research Uk
• British Society For Developmental Biology
• The Lewy Body Society
• The Kennedy Trust For Rheumatology Research
• The Mccarthy & Stone Charitable Foundation
• Uk Dementia Research Institute
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust

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) -
• BSRA Open Grant Call: success rates from recent years (https://bsra.org.uk/bsra-open-grant-call-success-rates-from-recent-years/) -