Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund

Charity Number: 309659

Annual Expenditure: £6.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £6,172,000 (charitable activities expenditure)
  • Total Income: £2,231,000
  • Geographic Focus: Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Primary Beneficiaries: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Lincoln College, and University of Oxford
  • Founded: 1967
  • Endowment: Part of combined £194+ million (with related EPA funds)

Contact Details

Email: gillian.helstrom@path.ox.ac.uk

Phone: 01865 275573

Address: University of Oxford, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE

Overview

The Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund was established in 1967 by Sir Edward Penley Abraham CBE (1913-1999), a biochemist instrumental in developing penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. Using royalties from the cephalosporin patent, Abraham created this endowed trust to perpetuate support for biomedical research at Oxford University. With a current combined endowment exceeding £194 million (together with the related EPA Cephalosporin Fund and Guy Newton Research Fund), the fund has donated over £30 million to Oxford institutions by the end of the 20th century. The charity operates with four trustees, one employee, and makes grants totaling over £6 million annually to support medical, biological, and chemical research within the University of Oxford ecosystem.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates as an endowed trust making institutional grants determined by trustees. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, but annual charitable activities expenditure exceeds £6 million. The fund supports:

  • Research Grants: Direct funding to research projects at the Dunn School of Pathology and Lincoln College
  • PhD Studentships: Oxford-EPA Research Fund Graduate Scholarships covering full fees, stipends, and research training grants for 4-year doctoral programs
  • Infrastructure Support: Funding for research facilities and equipment at Oxford institutions

Priority Areas

The charity's stated objective is “the furtherance of medical, biological and chemical research” specifically in:

  • Sir William Dunn School of Pathology (primary beneficiary)
  • Lincoln College, Oxford
  • University of Oxford and its associated colleges more broadly
  • Biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and related biomedical fields

What They Don't Fund

Based on the trust deed and historical funding patterns:

  • Research outside the University of Oxford ecosystem
  • Non-biomedical research fields
  • Organizations unaffiliated with Oxford University
  • Individual researchers not connected to Oxford institutions
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Professor Peter Richard Cook (Chair) - Appointed November 2020
  • Professor Matthew Freeman (Trustee) - Appointed January 2013
  • Professor Gillian Margaret Griffiths (Trustee) - Appointed December 2011
  • Nigel Richard Clifford (Trustee) - Appointed September 2024

All trustees serve without remuneration and bring expertise in biomedical research and Oxford academic institutions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made by trustees at their discretion within the context of the trust deed and available resources. The fund operates as a restricted endowment benefiting specific Oxford institutions rather than as an open grant-making charity accepting applications from external organizations.

Funding decisions are made by the four-member board of trustees based on:

  • The charitable objectives defined in the trust deed
  • Available resources and investment income
  • Ongoing relationships with primary beneficiary institutions
  • Research priorities identified by the Dunn School and Lincoln College

Getting on Their Radar

This section is not applicable as the fund operates exclusively within established Oxford University institutional relationships. The fund does not seek new beneficiaries or accept approaches from organizations outside its defined scope.

Application Success Factors

Since this is a closed fund with predetermined beneficiaries:

For Oxford Researchers: Those affiliated with the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology or Lincoln College have the best access to this funding source. Research proposals are typically channeled through departmental leadership rather than direct trustee applications.

For PhD Students: The Oxford-EPA Research Fund Graduate Scholarships are administered through the University of Oxford's graduate admissions process. Students apply through the standard Dunn School PhD application procedures, and funding is allocated by the department in consultation with the EPA Fund.

Research Alignment: Projects in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, antibiotic research, and related biomedical sciences align with Abraham's legacy and the fund's historical priorities.

Institutional Relationships: The fund operates through deep, long-standing relationships with Oxford institutions. There is no mechanism for external organizations to access this funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Closed Funding Source: This is not an accessible grant maker for organizations outside Oxford University's ecosystem
  • Institutional Scale: With £6+ million in annual grants, this is a major funder, but only for specific Oxford institutions
  • Research Focus: Strongly aligned with biomedical research, particularly following Abraham's legacy in antibiotic development
  • No Application Process: Funding flows through institutional relationships, not competitive applications
  • Related Funds: The EPA Cephalosporin Fund (charity 309698) is a sister organization with broader geographic scope, including support for King Edward VI School, Southampton
  • Endowment Model: The fund operates from investment income on a substantial endowment, ensuring perpetual support
  • For Oxford Affiliates: If you're conducting biomedical research at the Dunn School or Lincoln College, speak with your departmental leadership about accessing EPA funding

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