Neuroblastoma Uk

Charity Number: 326385

Annual Expenditure: £1.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,100,000 (2024 grant round)
  • Total Research Funding: Nearly £10 million since 1982
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £270,000
  • Decision Time: ~5 months (June deadline to October notification)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and Republic of Ireland
  • Application Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)

Contact Details

Website: www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Email: secretary@neuroblastoma.org.uk

Phone: 0203 096 7890

Grant Enquiries: grants@neuroblastoma.org.uk

Overview

Founded in 1982 by parents Neville and Janet Oldridge after losing their son Matthew to neuroblastoma, the charity was originally called The Neuroblastoma Society before rebranding to Neuroblastoma UK in 2015. With a vision of “a world in which every child diagnosed with neuroblastoma is cured,” the charity has awarded nearly £10 million to neuroblastoma research since its establishment, supporting over 85 research grants across 19 UK institutions. Approximately 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the UK annually, with 9 in 10 cases occurring in children under 5 years old. The charity runs a biennial research competition and hosts a Research Symposium to foster collaboration among researchers and clinicians. In 2015, Neuroblastoma UK was accepted as a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), meeting all criteria for funding quality research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Research Grants: £200,000 - £270,000 (typical awards)

  • Duration: Up to 3 years
  • No defined upper limit
  • Application method: Biennial grant round with fixed deadlines
  • Next expected round: 2026

Innovation Grants (formerly Small Grants Programme): Up to £5,000

  • Purpose: Enable researchers to increase research impact, explore synergies between research efforts, and develop new projects
  • Aims to support potential larger future grant applications
  • Application method: Application form and guidance notes available on website

Priority Areas

Neuroblastoma UK prioritizes translational research that can be rapidly applied to the clinical setting in the short to medium term. The charity is especially interested in:

  • New therapeutic approaches for neuroblastoma treatment
  • Pathways to improve existing treatments
  • Research exploring treatment synergies
  • Studies to understand the origin and development of neuroblastomas
  • Research establishing “proof of principle” for further investigation
  • Novel approaches including immunotherapy (CAR T cells), mRNA vaccines, molecular imaging, and targeted therapies
  • Research addressing high-risk neuroblastoma and relapse prevention

International collaboration is particularly encouraged, especially with co-applicants and collaborators who bring expertise not available in the UK or Republic of Ireland.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not detailed, eligibility is restricted to:

  • Lead applicants must be based in a UK or Republic of Ireland laboratory
  • Research must focus on neuroblastoma specifically
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Governance and Leadership

Current Executive Leadership:

  • Zara Aitchison - Background in business and finance, particularly in Reinsurance Markets. Started volunteering in 2017, became Trustee in 2019.
  • Dr Kate Wheeler - Consultant paediatric oncologist at Oxford Children's Hospital since 1995.
  • Professor Andy Pearson - Formerly Cancer Research UK Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust.

Other Key Trustees:

  • Tori (Charity Secretary) - Daughter of the charity's founders; returned to Trustee board September 2023. "Tori's parents founded our charity over 40 years and Tori continues to be involved with the charity."
  • Professor Deb Tweddle - Professor of Paediatric Oncology at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric & Adolescent Oncology at the Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle.
  • Steve - Supporter since 1996, Trustee since 2001.
  • Faye - Trustee since 2017, oversees corporate fundraising partnerships and internal HR functions.
  • Tanya - Joined July 2023, focuses on media and communications.
  • Clair - Joined 2025, qualified FCCA accountant with over 15 years' experience.

Scientific Advisory Board (independent, peer review body):

  • Dr Meredith Irwin (Chair) - Professor of Paediatrics and Clinician-scientist, Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and University of Toronto
  • Professor Heinrich Kovar
  • Dr Julia Glade Bender
  • Dr Kelly Goldsmith - Professor of Paediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta; Curing Kids Cancer Endowed Chair of Paediatric Oncology
  • Dr Frank Westermann - Division Head at Hopp Children Cancer Centre, National Centre for Tumour Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany; Head of Reference Laboratory of the German Neuroblastoma Trial
  • Professor Kaat Durinck - Assistant Professor at Paediatric Precision Oncology Lab, Ghent University, Belgium
  • Professor Heike Laman

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Major Research Grants:

  1. Complete the Grant Application Form using the structure requested
  2. Attach all required appendices
  3. Read Guidance Notes carefully and supply information in the format requested
  4. Submit by the grant round deadline (most recent: June 3, 2024)

Innovation Grants:

  1. Download and complete the Grant Application Form
  2. Follow the Guidance Notes for Small Grant Applications
  3. Email queries to grants@neuroblastoma.org.uk

CRITICAL APPLICATION RULE: Applicants should not, under any circumstances, directly approach members of the Scientific Advisory Board in connection with their research application. This is to maintain fairness and objectivity in the review process.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: Early June (2024 round: June 3)
  • Decision Notification: End of October (approximately 5 months after deadline)
  • Grant Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
  • Next Expected Round: 2026

Success Rates

Based on the 2024 grant round:

  • Total funding requests exceeded £3 million
  • £1.1 million awarded (approximately 37% of requested amount)
  • 5 projects funded out of multiple applications
  • Over three-quarters (75%+) of submissions were deemed capable of making an impact in the neuroblastoma field
  • Highly competitive due to limited funds despite high-quality applications

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Contact grants@neuroblastoma.org.uk for information about resubmission guidelines and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Based on the 2024 grant round outcomes and charity priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Translational Focus with Clinical Impact

The charity prioritizes research “which can be rapidly transferred from the lab bench to bedside.” All five 2024 funded projects had clear pathways to clinical application:

  • PET imaging tracers for patient diagnosis and clinical trials
  • CAR T cell enhancement methods that build on existing therapies
  • mRNA vaccine approaches to reduce relapse rates
  • Improvements to existing retinoic acid maintenance therapy
  • Less toxic drug inhibitors for high-risk neuroblastoma

2. Quality Over Cost

Neuroblastoma UK states that “decisions are made on the quality of the proposed research and its perceived impact, rather than cost parameters alone.” Projects ranged from £183,207 to £268,301 in the 2024 round.

3. Rigorous Scientific Merit

All applications undergo peer review by 2-3 experts, followed by evaluation by the Scientific Advisory Board before final Trustee Board decision. A conflict of interest policy ensures fair, objective review.

4. International Collaboration

The charity particularly encourages international co-applicants and collaborators who bring expertise not available in the UK or Ireland. Several 2024 funded projects involved multi-institutional teams.

5. Focus on High-Risk Neuroblastoma and Treatment Improvement

Most funded projects addressed high-risk neuroblastoma, relapse prevention, or improving existing treatment protocols rather than entirely new areas.

6. Clear Pathway to Further Research

Innovation Grants specifically support “proof of principle” research that can lead to larger grant applications, showing the charity values strategic research development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Biennial cycle requires planning: With grant rounds every 2 years and the 2024 round now closed, researchers should prepare applications for the expected 2026 round well in advance
  • Emphasize translational potential: Clearly articulate how research can be “rapidly applied to the clinical setting in the short to medium term” and transferred “from lab bench to bedside”
  • Highlight collaboration: International partnerships bringing unique expertise are particularly encouraged; multi-institutional teams appear well-represented among funded projects
  • Quality trumps cost: There is no defined upper limit for major grants, and decisions prioritize research quality and impact over budget concerns
  • Never contact SAB directly: Strict policy against applicants approaching Scientific Advisory Board members; all contact should be through grants@neuroblastoma.org.uk
  • Expect high competition: With 75%+ of applications deemed impactful but only ~37% of requested funding available, applications must demonstrate exceptional quality and alignment with priorities
  • Follow guidance precisely: Complete forms using requested structure, attach all appendices, and supply information in the format specified in Guidance Notes

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References