Guts Uk Charity

Charity Number: 1137029

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £16.5 million (total since 1971 across 450+ projects)
  • Success Rate: ~20% (typical for UK health research charities)
  • Decision Time: 4-5 months (application to notification)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £250,000
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (national)

Contact Details

Website: www.gutscharity.org.uk

Email: info@gutscharity.org.uk

Phone: 020 7486 0341

Research enquiries: research@gutscharity.org.uk

Overview

Founded in 1971, GUTS UK (formerly Core) is the only UK charity that funds research into the digestive system from top to tail, including the gut, liver, and pancreas. Since its founding, the charity has invested more than £16.5 million into medical research, backing over 450 research projects. The charity has supported 104 research projects into IBD (providing £3.44m funding), 115 liver research projects (£1.98m), 41 pancreas research projects (£1.63m), and 132 gut research projects (£4.25m). In January 2025, GUTS UK launched an exciting five-year strategy outlining their ambitions across three key areas: information support, awareness, and research. New CEO Suzanne Hudson joined in September 2024, bringing 18 years of charity leadership experience to drive strategic growth and respond to record-high demand for the charity's work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

GUTS UK operates annual grant rounds with fixed deadlines (typically June) and decisions by December:

  • Development Grants for Early Career Researchers: £15,000 each, six grants available. For researchers not yet in substantive positions or within three years of appointment to a substantive academic post. Awards provided for up to 24 months.
  • GUTS UK/BSG Trainee Research Awards: £5,000 for individuals or £10,000 for networks. Total budget of £50,000 across all awards. For UK-based gastroenterology and allied Specialty Trainees (holding a National Training Number) conducting research or audit/quality improvement work.
  • GUTS UK/BSPGHAN Grants: Up to £40,000 each, two grants available. For translational or proof of concept research in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition.
  • GUTS UK/RCSEd Research Grant: £10,000 for one successful applicant. Funds a 12-month surgical project on digestive diseases affecting the gut, liver, or pancreas.
  • GUTS UK Amelie Waring PhD Studentship: Up to £120,000. For research into any aspect of pancreatic inflammation or injury.
  • GUTS UK Derek Butler Fellowship: Up to £250,000 for one fellowship. For research in upper gastrointestinal tract diseases and conditions.
  • forCrohns/GUTS UK Crohn's Disease Research Grants: Up to £20,000 each, two grants available. For research on health and quality of life for people with Crohn's disease.

Priority Areas

GUTS UK strongly encourages applications that align with their current research priorities:

  • Upper gastrointestinal disease (GORD, Barrett's oesophagus)
  • Diverticular disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Childhood gut, liver, and pancreatic diseases
  • Gut microbiome and nutrition
  • Cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, pancreas, or liver

The charity recently completed a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) on diverticular disease (announced February 2025), demonstrating their commitment to patient-led research priorities.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, GUTS UK focuses exclusively on digestive system research. Applications outside gastroenterology, hepatology, pancreatic, and nutritional research related to digestive health would not be funded.

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Suzanne Hudson (joined September 2024) - Previously CEO at Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth for over six years and CEO of Bipolar UK. Brings 18 years of charity leadership experience and significant experience working with the NHS, the Department of Health, and medical research teams.

Chair of Trustees: Victoria King

Board of Trustees: The Board is comprised of specialists from different fields of gastroenterology, research experts, and business professionals who bring a broad range of complementary skills to the charity. The Board has overall accountability for the charity's strategic direction, stewardship of resources, and activities.

Research Awards Committee: A specialized committee that oversees the grant review process, ensuring scientific excellence and alignment with GUTS UK's research priorities.

Leadership Quotes

Suzanne Hudson on joining as CEO: “I am looking forward to working alongside the Board, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters to develop and grow the charity, raise our collective voice, and strengthen our influence for the benefit of individuals and families affected by gut conditions.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through GUTS UK's website (gutscharity.org.uk) with fixed annual deadlines. Application forms and detailed guidelines are available for each grant program on their grants and awards pages.

Application Deadline: Typically Monday 30th June at 5pm (annual cycle)

Pre-application Support: For clinical research proposals, applicants are encouraged to contact their local NIHR Clinical Research Network for advice as early as possible. Queries about applications should be directed to research@gutscharity.org.uk.

Important Note: Applicants or their colleagues may not contact a Research Awards Committee member or GUTS UK Trustee to discuss any aspect of an application or the decision reached on it.

Decision Timeline

June: Application deadline (typically June 30th at 5pm)

Initial Review: Subset of the GUTS UK Research Awards Committee reviews applications

July-September: Applications meeting scoring threshold receive two in-depth external peer reviews (following Association of Medical Research Charities guidance)

October: Full Research Awards Committee meeting to assess shortlisted applications

November: Trustees ratify funding recommendations

December: Successful applicants notified (early December)

Total Time: Approximately 4-5 months from submission to notification

Success Rates

Specific success rates for GUTS UK are not publicly disclosed. However, typical success rates for UK health research charities range from 20% (one in five applications) according to general UK health research funding guidance. Given GUTS UK offers multiple grants per year (e.g., six Development Grants, multiple Trainee Awards from a £50,000 budget), competition is significant.

Reapplication Policy

GUTS UK does not explicitly publish reapplication restrictions. Applicants should contact research@gutscharity.org.uk for guidance on unsuccessful applications and resubmission policies.

Application Success Factors

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

  • Scientific Excellence: Plausibility, feasibility, importance, originality, and potential to elicit clinically useful results
  • Value for Money: Cost-effectiveness of the proposed research
  • Relevance to GUTS UK's Research Priority Themes: Strong alignment with priority areas increases chances of success
  • Suitability of Research Team: Track record of the applicants
  • Patient Impact: The potential difference the research will make to the lives of patients
  • Future Potential: Potential for further funding and/or follow-up studies

Key Success Factors

  1. Alignment with Research Priorities: Applications strongly aligned with GUTS UK's current research priorities (upper GI disease, diverticular disease, pancreatitis, IBS, childhood diseases, microbiome/nutrition, GI cancers) are explicitly encouraged.
  1. Clinical Relevance: Demonstrating clear potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life is critical. GUTS UK prioritizes research that will make a tangible difference to individuals and families affected by gut conditions.
  1. Career Stage Appropriateness: Ensure you apply to the appropriate grant stream. Development Grants are specifically for early career researchers, while other grants have different eligibility criteria.
  1. Partnership and Collaboration: GUTS UK collaborates with professional societies (BSG, BSPGHAN, RCSEd, Dr Falk Pharma). Applications developed in consultation with these partners or that demonstrate collaborative approaches may be advantaged.
  1. Pathway to Impact: Strong applications demonstrate potential for further funding and follow-up studies, showing how the seed funding will lead to larger research programs.

Examples of Funded Research

  • Dr Marnix Jansen: Research on stomach cancer and improving biopsy methods for diagnosis
  • Dr McCann: Investigation of stem cell use in achalasia and gastroparesis
  • Prof. Lord: Research on immune cells in Crohn's disease
  • Dr Powell: Work on personalized treatment approaches for Crohn's disease patients
  • Dr O'Kelly: Exploration of inflammatory reactions during pancreatitis

Language and Terminology

GUTS UK uses patient-friendly language and emphasizes “raising collective voice” and “strengthening influence for individuals and families affected by gut conditions.” Applications should balance scientific rigor with clear articulation of patient benefit and real-world impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Strong Priority Alignment is Essential: GUTS UK explicitly states they “strongly encourage” applications aligned with their current research priorities. Review these carefully and demonstrate clear alignment in your application.
  1. Patient Impact is Critical: Beyond scientific excellence, GUTS UK assesses “the potential difference the research will make to the lives of patients.” Articulate clear, tangible patient benefits throughout your application.
  1. Early Career Grants are a Strategic Entry Point: With six Development Grants of £15,000 available specifically for early career researchers, this is an accessible entry point for new investigators in digestive health research.
  1. Rigorous Peer Review Process: Applications undergo multiple review stages including committee screening, external peer review (for shortlisted applications), and committee assessment. Ensure your application is of high scientific quality and addresses all assessment criteria.
  1. Plan for the Timeline: With a 4-5 month decision timeline from June submission to December notification, plan your project start dates accordingly. Successful applicants should be prepared to commence research in early 2026.
  1. Demonstrate Future Potential: GUTS UK explicitly assesses “potential for further funding and/or follow-up studies.” Show how your project is a strategic first step toward larger research programs.
  1. Leverage Professional Society Partnerships: Many GUTS UK grants are co-branded with professional societies (BSG, BSPGHAN, RCSEd). Consider how your application aligns with these partnerships and their priorities.

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