Ménière's & Vestibular UK

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Over £1.2 million total invested in research to date
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-6 months for large grants; 1-2 months for small grants
• Grant Range: Up to £11,999 (small grants); £12,000+ (research grants); in excess of £40,000 (large research grants); plus bursaries and equipment grants
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (projects funded in UK, Canada)

Contact Details

Website: www.meandve.org.uk (formerly www.menieres.org.uk)

Phone: 01306 876883

Email:

• General: info@menieres.org.uk
• Research grants: research@menieres.org.uk

Pre-application support: Contact research@menieres.org.uk with questions about potential projects before applying

Overview

Ménière's & Vestibular UK (charity number 297246) is the UK's leading charity for people with vestibular (inner ear) disorders causing dizziness and imbalance. The organisation established its Research Programme in 1998 and has since invested over £1.2 million in vestibular research. The charity's mission is to promote and provide care and relief for sufferers from Meniere's syndrome and related vestibular conditions through information provision, support services, and research funding. In recent years, the organisation changed its name from "The Meniere's Society“ to ”Ménière's & Vestibular UK" to better reflect its broader focus on all vestibular disorders. The charity receives no government or statutory funding and relies entirely on memberships, donations, and fundraising activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Bursary, Travel, and Training Grants

• Supports professional development and training opportunities
• Application method: Email application with quarterly deadlines

Small Grants: Up to £11,999

• For smaller research projects and equipment
• Decision usually made at the quarterly trustee meeting, although peer review may be required for certain projects
• Application method: Submit via email to research@menieres.org.uk

Research Grants: £12,000+

• For substantial research projects
• All applications subject to peer review
• Decision usually made within 3-6 months following receipt of application
• Application method: Complete grant application form and email to research@menieres.org.uk

Large Research Grants: In excess of £40,000

• Normally awarded over one to three years for significant research projects
• Requires preliminary proposal (max 2 pages A4) before full application
• Preliminary proposal should outline objectives and likely cost to establish whether project meets criteria and funds are available
• Full proposals subject to peer review
• Application method: Email preliminary proposal to research@menieres.org.uk

Equipment Grants

• For research equipment needs
• Application method: Email application to research@menieres.org.uk

Priority Areas

The charity supports research aimed at:

• Developing better diagnostic tests for vestibular disorders
• Identifying less destructive treatments for severe cases
• Understanding the causes of Meniere's disease and related conditions
• Exploring psychological aspects and symptoms of vestibular disorders
• Advancing knowledge of inner ear pressure sensors
• Using data-driven approaches to understand vestibular conditions
• Vestibular rehabilitation methods and resources
• Differentiating between vestibular conditions (e.g., Meniere's vs. vestibular migraine)
• Risk factors for bilateral Meniere's disease
• Incidence, diagnosis, and management of acute dizziness

What They Don't Fund

The organisation focuses exclusively on vestibular disorders. Projects outside this scope or those that do not align with their research aims may not be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Co-Chairs: Colin Hughes and Pennie Ford

Treasurer: Sara Christopher

Trustees: Karine Chevalier-Watts, Rory MacNeill, David Renton, Carol Evans, Laura Smith, and Simon Webster

Director: Natasha Harrington-Benton - Responsible for day-to-day operations, fundraising, strategy, publicity, and liaison with professionals

Ambassador: Dr Diego Kaski (Consultant Neurologist)

All 9 trustees are personally acquainted with vestibular disorders, either as sufferers, carers, or healthcare professionals working in the field.

How to Apply to Ménière's & Vestibular Uk

How to Apply

Applications are accepted via email to research@menieres.org.uk.

For Small Grants (up to £11,999):

1. Complete the grant application form
2. Submit agreement to terms and conditions
3. Email to research@menieres.org.uk
4. Applications reviewed at the next quarterly trustee meeting

For Research Grants (£12,000+):

1. Complete the grant application form
2. Submit to research@menieres.org.uk
3. All applications subject to peer review
4. Decision made by trustees

For Large Research Grants (in excess of £40,000):

1. Submit preliminary proposal (maximum 2 pages A4) to research@menieres.org.uk
2. Proposal should outline objectives and likely cost
3. Trustees review to establish if project meets criteria and funds are available
4. Eligible applicants invited to submit full application
5. Full proposals subject to peer review
6. Decision made by trustees

Application Cycle:

Trustees meet four times per year on a quarterly basis to review applications.

Decision Timeline

Small Grants: Decision usually made at the quarterly trustee meeting following the application submission (approximately 1-2 months from submission), although peer review may be required for certain projects.

Research Grants (£12,000+): Decision usually made within 3-6 months following receipt of application.

Large Research Grants (in excess of £40,000): Full proposals typically take up to 6 months from submission to decision due to peer review process.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Contact research@menieres.org.uk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on funded projects and stated priorities:

• Clear patient benefit: Projects must demonstrate how they will benefit those affected by vestibular conditions
• Innovation: The charity actively seeks “innovative research proposals” that advance understanding
• Practical application: Projects leading to better diagnostic tests or less destructive treatments are prioritised
• Interdisciplinary approaches: Funded grants span audiology, neurology, psychology, data science, and rehabilitation
• Strong preliminary proposal: For large grants, the 2-page preliminary proposal is crucial - clearly outline objectives and costs

Funded Project Examples:

• Studies on TRPV4 as a sensor of cochlear fluids (London)
• Assessment and management of psychological symptoms in vestibular disorders (Kent)
• Vestibular rehabilitation video resources (Manchester)
• Big data approaches to understanding Meniere's disease (Devon)
• Differentiating Meniere's from vestibular migraine (Montreal, Canada)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact before applying: Pre-application contact is welcomed and can help ensure alignment before investing time in a full application
• Start with preliminary proposal: For grants over £40,000, the preliminary proposal acts as a gateway - make it concise but compelling
• Plan for quarterly cycles: With four trustee meetings per year, plan ahead and submit well before your project needs to start
• Budget strategically: Small grants (under £12,000) have faster decision timelines - consider whether your project could be scoped for this category
• Demonstrate personal impact: All trustees have personal connection to vestibular disorders - show clearly how your research will benefit sufferers and their families
• Think internationally: The charity funds projects across the UK and internationally, and across multiple disciplines from equipment grants to large research projects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Get A-head Charitable Trust
• The Music Therapy Charity
• The British Neuropathological Society
• Bma Foundation
• Brace
• The Janet Nash Charitable Settlement
• University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity
• Epilepsy Research Institute Uk
• Brain Research Uk
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity

References

• Ménière's & Vestibular UK official website: https://www.meandve.org.uk
• How to Apply for a Research Grant: https://www.meandve.org.uk/research/how-to-apply-for-a-research-grant
• Research Programme Overview: https://www.meandve.org.uk/research
• Current/Recent Research Projects: https://www.meandve.org.uk/research/current-projects
• Meet the Team: https://www.meandve.org.uk/about-the-society/the-menieres-society-team
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/297246