Cotton Textiles Research Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £195,315 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 2 weeks after April/September board meetings
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £60,000
• Geographic Focus: UK only

Contact Details

Website: https://cottontextilesresearchtrust.org

Email: info@cottontextilesresearchtrust.org

Phone: 0161 306 6000

Address: c/o The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester

Overview

The Cotton Textiles Research Trust (CTRT) was founded in 1902 as the British Cotton Growing Association, with Lancashire mill workers enthusiastically participating in fundraising campaigns through a "Day's Wage“ scheme that raised over £24,000. In 1972, trusteeship passed to The University of Manchester, and the organization was renamed Cotton Textiles Research Trust in 2019. The charity operates with five trustees and had total expenditure of £195,315 in the 2023-24 financial year. Historically focused on medical research into respiratory conditions affecting cotton textile workers, CTRT has evolved its mission to support ”improved processes, systems and knowledge" benefiting the UK textile industry and its workers. The Trust funds a broad range of work including innovation grants, equipment purchases, historical research, and proof-of-principle projects testing new methods.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Development of People Grants: £2,000

Supports professional development through workshop/conference attendance, visits to industry/academic partners, and cross-sector exchanges. Applications from early-career professionals or those returning to the textile industry after absence are particularly welcomed. Applications reviewed twice yearly with fixed deadlines.

Small Project Grants: £2,000 - £25,000

For 6-12 month projects focused on innovation, sustainability, or knowledge expansion in the UK textile industry. Suitable for pilot studies, equipment purchase, or proof-of-principle work.

Major Project Grants: Up to £60,000

For 12-24 month projects with significant potential impact on UK textile industry processes, systems, or knowledge.

All programs use fixed deadlines (31 March and 31 August annually).

Priority Areas

• Innovation and Technology: E-textile manufacturing, bio-inspired deployable textiles, collaborative robot cutting tools, laser processing technology
• Sustainability: Circular denim processing, natural and chemical dye delivery systems without water or toxic chemicals, UK sustainable textile hubs
• Medical Research: Respiratory protective equipment effectiveness, occupational health studies related to textile workers (historically core focus)
• Industry Knowledge: Archiving mill records, textile industry history, capability and precarity studies
• Cross-sector Collaboration: Projects bringing together academia, industry, and third sector organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Undergraduate or Masters student projects
• PhD studentship support
• Individual projects without organizational affiliation
• Activities conducted outside the UK
• Ongoing operational/activity costs
• Staff salaries
• Overhead expenses

Ready to write a winning application for Cotton Textiles Research Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by five trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The board includes professionals from academia, textile industry, and financial sectors. Trusteeship was passed to The University of Manchester in 1972, though the Trust is not administered as a Trust of the University itself. The board meets twice annually (April and September) to review applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via email to info@cottontextilesresearchtrust.org using the specific application form available on the Trust's website. Applications are accepted at any time but will only be reviewed at the biannual board meetings.

Key Requirements:

• Complete the specific CTRT application form
• Submit via email to info@cottontextilesresearchtrust.org
• Applications for individuals and teams from UK-based organizations (academia, industry, third sector) are eligible
• Projects must benefit the UK textile industry

Eligible Costs:

• Consumables
• Equipment access fees
• Travel and conference fees

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered at Trustee Board meetings held in April and September each year. Applicants are informed of the outcome within two weeks of the board meeting.

Application Deadlines:

• 31 March (for April meeting)
• 31 August (for September meeting)

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish specific success rate statistics or application numbers. However, their funded projects page shows a consistent track record of supporting diverse projects from 2006 to 2024 across universities, research institutes, small textile technology companies, and independent researchers.

Reapplication Policy

All applicants are informed of the reason why their project may not have been successful. Invited resubmissions are permitted, meaning unsuccessful applicants can reapply if they receive an invitation to resubmit following the feedback provided by the Trust.

Application Success Factors

The Trust assesses applications based on specific criteria documented in their application guidance:

Alignment with Mission: The charity can fund "a broad range of work/research that the Trustees consider beneficial to workers in the textile industry, taking account of the Fund's origins as contributions by Lancashire cotton workers." Projects should demonstrate clear benefits to the UK textile industry and its workers.

Assessment Criteria (in priority order):

1. Alignment with CTRT's mission to benefit UK textile industry workers
2. Project rationale and methodology
3. Team expertise and capability
4. Potential impact on the sector
5. Cost-effectiveness of proposed budget

Recent Funded Project Examples:

• Bio-inspired deployable, sustainable textiles (Arantza Vilas, Oct 2024)
• Safe, adaptable rotary cutting tool for collaborative robots (Susan Postlethwaite, Manchester Fashion Institute)
• Circular denim processing contributions (LaundRe, UK Sustainable Denim Hub)
• E-textile manufacturing with industrial weaving Jacquard loom
• Laser machine for denim processing
• Testing technology for natural and chemical dye delivery without water or toxic chemicals

Strategic Emphasis: The Trust welcomes “applications from individuals at the start of their career in the textile industry or who are returning after a period of absence and are looking to renew or extend their knowledge of current and future practices.”

Historical Context Matters: The Trust values its origins - “Lancashire mill workers participated in fund-raising campaigns with enthusiasm” - and considers how projects honor the Fund's origins as contributions by Lancashire cotton workers.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Early career focus: The Trust particularly welcomes applications from those at the start of their careers or returning after absence - emphasize professional development potential
• UK textile benefit essential: Every application must demonstrate clear benefits to the UK textile industry and its workers - this is non-negotiable
• Quick turnaround: With only 2 weeks from board meeting to notification, the Trust operates efficiently - ensure contact details are current
• Feedback provided: All unsuccessful applicants receive reasons for rejection and may be invited to resubmit - use this feedback strategically
• Broad interpretation: The mission has evolved from medical research to “improved processes, systems and knowledge” - innovation and sustainability projects are equally valued alongside health research
• Cost-effectiveness matters: With modest annual expenditure (£195k), demonstrate value for money and realistic budgets without staff costs or overheads
• Fixed deadlines only: Plan submissions around March 31 and August 31 deadlines - no rolling applications despite acceptance at any time

References

• Cotton Textiles Research Trust official website: https://cottontextilesresearchtrust.org
• CTRT Apply for Funding page: https://cottontextilesresearchtrust.org/apply-for-funding/
• CTRT History page: https://cottontextilesresearchtrust.org/history/
• CTRT Funded Projects: https://cottontextilesresearchtrust.org/funded-projects/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 509075: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/509075
• University of Manchester Research Explorer - Cotton Textile Research Trust: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/activities/cotton-textile-research-trust-external-organisation