Fungal Infection Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £111,000 (approx.)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly (approx. 3 months between meetings)
• Grant Range: £700 - £36,000
• Geographic Focus: International (no geographic restrictions)

Contact Details

Website: www.fungalinfectiontrust.org

Email: secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org

Phone: 01670641145

Address: 20 Elsdon Place, St. Georges Wood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2GY

Overview

The Fungal Infection Trust (FIT) was originally established as the Fungal Research Trust in 1991 and renamed in 2012. Since inception, the Trust has awarded over £4.5 million in grants, supporting fungal disease research, education, and awareness. The charity is registered with the Charities Commission (No: 1147658) and is a Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 08031174). With an annual income of approximately £111,942 (2024), FIT focuses on funding small research and travel grants to advance scientific understanding of fungal diseases. The Trust has been instrumental in creating major initiatives including the Aspergillus Website (1998), the world's first NHS National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester (2009), and LIFE-Worldwide (2012), a global educational resource. The organization accepts applications internationally with no geographic restrictions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants: £1,000 - £36,000

• Scientific research into fungi and fungal diseases
• Clinical research on diagnosis and treatment of fungal illnesses
• Application via Grant Application Form submitted to Secretary
• Recent awards include £35,964 (LIFE-Worldwide extension), £32,000 (genetic defects research), and £11,008 (Aspergillus epigenetics)

Geoff Scott Travel Grants: £700 - £1,250

• Support for researchers to attend national and international fungal conferences
• Requires 3 months notice before travel
• Application via separate Travel Grant Application Form
• Recent recipients from India, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Malawi

Conference and Educational Grants: Variable amounts

• Support for conference attendance and educational activities
• Submit detailed budget and justification by email to Secretary

Priority Areas

• Scientific research into fungi and fungal diseases
• Education about mycology and fungal diseases, particularly for physicians and scientists
• Research on diagnosis and treatment of fungal illnesses
• Training scientists in mycology and related disciplines
• Support for early-career researchers and PhD students
• International collaboration, particularly supporting researchers from low and middle-income countries
• Website development and maintenance for educational resources (Aspergillus Website, LIFE-Worldwide)

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly detailed on the Trust's website. However, the organization's charitable objectives focus exclusively on fungal disease research, education, and awareness.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Philip Oxnam (Chairman): Graduate of Wharton School specializing in corporate finance; established GS Management S.A. in Geneva. Oxnam stated: “FIT is the leading charity supporting patients, relatives, healthcare professionals and researchers in the understanding of fungal diseases in the UK.”

• Annie Vinton (Secretary): Charity worker and client account management professional with personal experience as a caregiver for her husband with Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

• Professor Christopher Conlon: Retired Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases and Oxford University Professor with expertise in HIV, TB, Travel Medicine, and COVID

• Professor Roderick Hay: Emeritus Professor of Cutaneous Infection and Consultant Dermatologist specializing in infectious and tropical skin diseases, particularly fungal infections

• Peter J Folkman: Venture capitalist with MBA from Wharton School; Honorary Professor at Alliance Manchester Business School

• Dr Caroline Pankhurst: Dentist and Specialist in Oral Microbiology; former Senior Lecturer at King's College London Dental Institute

The Trustees were also Trustees of the previous Fungal Research Trust and serve as Directors and Members of the Company.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Research Grants:

Complete the FIT Application Form Template available on the website and submit by email to: secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org

For Travel Grants (Geoff Scott Travel Grant):

Complete the FIT Geoff Scott Travel Grant Application Form and submit by email to the Secretary. Applications require 3 months notice before travel.

For Conference/Educational Grants:

Submit a written request by email to the Secretary with details of why support is required and a detailed budget.

Decision Timeline

The Trustees consider all applications at their quarterly meetings, meaning there are approximately 4 review cycles per year. Specific submission deadlines for each quarterly meeting are not published on the website. Applicants should expect decisions to be made within approximately 3 months from submission, depending on when their application is received relative to the next quarterly meeting.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust is a small charity with limited annual income (approximately £111,000), so competition for larger research grants is expected to be significant.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. This information may be contained in the “FIT Grant Conditions” document, which applicants should review carefully.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's history and recent grant awards, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Clear Relevance to Fungal Diseases: All funded projects focus specifically on fungal infections, their diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. The Trust has supported research on aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, candidiasis, and molecular diagnostics for fungal diseases.

International Impact: The Trust has funded researchers in India, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and across Europe, demonstrating a commitment to global health impact and support for researchers in low and middle-income countries.

Practical Application: Recent grants show preference for research with direct clinical relevance, including diagnostic methods, drug interactions, treatment protocols, and prevalence studies.

Educational Value: Projects that contribute to training, awareness-building, or development of educational resources align well with the Trust's mission. Major grants to LIFE-Worldwide demonstrate this priority.

Modest, Realistic Budgets: As a small charity, FIT typically awards grants ranging from a few hundred pounds for travel to around £36,000 for significant research projects. Applications should demonstrate value for money and clear deliverables.

Early Career Support: The Trust has a strong track record of supporting early-career researchers, PhD students, and researchers who have gone on to significant roles in the field (e.g., Professor William Hope).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small charity, targeted focus: With annual income around £111,000, FIT funds multiple small-to-medium grants rather than a few large awards. Applications should be focused and budget-conscious.

• No geographic restrictions: International researchers are welcome and encouraged to apply, with a notable commitment to supporting researchers from low and middle-income countries.

• Quarterly decision cycle: Plan ahead and allow time for the quarterly trustee meetings. For travel grants, apply at least 3 months before your intended travel date.

• Direct clinical and educational relevance matters: Successful projects demonstrate clear potential to improve diagnosis, treatment, awareness, or understanding of fungal diseases.

• Build on the Trust's legacy: Understanding FIT's major achievements (Aspergillus Website, National Aspergillosis Centre, LIFE-Worldwide) can help applicants align their proposals with the Trust's strategic interests.

• Contact the Secretary: For questions about eligibility, application requirements, or whether your project fits the Trust's priorities, contact secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org.

• Review grant conditions: Download and carefully review the “FIT Grant Conditions” document from the website before applying to understand all requirements and obligations.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Jane Hodge Foundation
• ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH
• THE EVELYN TRUST
• The Joron Charitable Trust
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited
• John Innes Foundation
• The Halpin Trust
• The Jean Shanks Foundation
• The Brain Tumour Charity
• Sir Samuel Scott of Yews Trust

References

1. Fungal Infection Trust website - Homepage. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - Research Grants. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/research-grants/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - Grants Awarded. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/research-grants/grants-awarded/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - Grant Application Forms. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/grant-application-forms/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - Organisation. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/organisation/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - Trustees. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/organisation/trustees/

1. Fungal Infection Trust - History. https://fungalinfectiontrust.org/organisation/history/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Fungal Infection Trust (1147658). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5027961/full-print

1. Companies House - Fungal Infection Trust (08031174). https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08031174

1. Charity Choice - Fungal Infection Trust Directory Entry. https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/fungal-infection-trust-199416