Orthopaedic Research Uk

Charity Number: 1111657

Annual Expenditure: £2.1M
Scotland, Northern Ireland

Contact Info

Website: www.oruk.org

Phone: 020 7637 5789

Email: info@oruk.org

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Data not publicly available
  • Success Rate: Up to 5 fellowships awarded per major programme (dependent on quality and budget)
  • Decision Time: 2-4 months (varies by programme)
  • Grant Range: £1,500 - £130,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based researchers and institutions

Contact Details

Website: www.oruk.org

Email: info@oruk.org

Phone: 020 7637 5789

Research Enquiries: research@oruk.org

Overview

Founded in 1989 by orthopaedic surgeon Brigadier Ronald Furlong FRCS, Orthopaedic Research UK (formerly the Furlong Research Charitable Foundation) is a UK charity dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal knowledge through research funding and education. Registered as charity number 1111657 and formally incorporated in 2005, ORUK is one of the most significant funders of orthopaedic and MSK research in the UK. The organisation brings together musculoskeletal professionals with the common goal of creating a healthy ageing society by reducing the burden of poor musculoskeletal health on individuals, workplaces, and the health system. ORUK focuses investments on research projects most capable of delivering benefits to patients and the healthcare system in a relatively short timespan, either by creating new MSK solutions or improving clinical practices and processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ORUK operates two main funding streams alongside several partnership fellowships:

The ORUK Research Fund (Academic Research):

  • Early Career Research Fellowship: Up to £110,000 over 2 years for early-career clinical and scientific academics who completed their PhD or MD less than 8 years ago. Up to 5 fellowships awarded annually (dependent on quality and budget).
  • BOA/ORUK Research Fellowship: Maximum £65,000 per fellowship (including max £10,000 for tuition fees, research consumables, and travel). Two fellowships awarded annually for projects in any area of orthopaedics.
  • BASK/ORUK Research Fellowship: Up to £130,000 over 2 years for knee-related research.
  • ORUK/BASS/BSS Spine Research Fellowship: Up to £70,000 over 2 years for spine research.
  • Joint NJR/ORUK/RCS England Research Fellowship: Fellowship focused on joint registry data analysis.
  • ORUK/BHS Fellowship: Fellowship focused on hip-related research.
  • Joint RCSEd-ORUK Research Fellowship: Partnership with Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

The Ronald Furlong Fund (Innovation & Entrepreneurship):

  • £100,000 annual investment in UK-based start-ups developing innovative and commercially viable ideas for bone, joint, and muscle wellbeing (in exchange for equity).
  • Must be backed by evidence-based research or include development of such research.
  • Requires supporting business and financial plans.

Small Grants:

  • ORUK, BOTA & BOMSA Medical Students & Foundation Doctors Fund: Up to £1,500 for medical students and foundation year doctors.
  • OBB Research Support Fund: Small grants for early-stage researchers.

Other Programmes:

  • Research Facilitation Fund: Partnership with Versus Arthritis and Kennedy Trust.
  • ORUK MSK Accelerator: Supporting MSK health innovations.
  • ORUK/Daphne Jackson Fellowship: For scientists, bioengineers, and academic clinicians returning after career breaks.

Priority Areas

  • Musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnosis and treatment research
  • Research with potential for short-term patient and healthcare system benefits
  • Translation of research ideas into new products or services
  • Innovation in bone, joint, and muscle health
  • Development of research-active orthopaedic surgeons
  • Projects that expand knowledge, improve patient outcomes, and pioneer new treatment forms
  • Research that can reduce NHS burden and surgical wait times
  • Support for diverse and inclusive research culture

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly listed on ORUK's website. Applicants should contact research@oruk.org for clarification on eligibility for specific projects.

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Dr Arash Angadji, who stated: “Our strategy aims to support MSK researchers throughout their careers.”

Board of Trustees includes:

  • Peter Harrison (former Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers, current chair of AXREM)
  • Sarah Harkness (background in corporate finance and investment banking)
  • Professor Mike Reed (trauma and hip/knee joint replacement surgeon, former chair of BOA education committee)
  • Benjamin Ellis (expertise in public health and policy, recent appointment)

Governance Structure:

  • Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) - meets annually to review and recommend the best MSK research
  • Board of Trustees - receives SAC recommendations and awards research funding
  • Independent review panel for expert assessment of research projects

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

  • Short form designed to allow researchers to convey the societal need for their research clearly
  • External expert review
  • No specific feedback provided at EoI stage beyond Research Committee's decision
  • No appeal process for EoI decisions
  • Form emailed to successful EoI applicants
  • Must be BLINDED - no mention of names, institutions, or partner organisations
  • Must describe a recent published research finding in MSK health and its relevance to patient outcomes
  • Applicants must review and agree in principle with ORUK Standard Research Agreement
  • Share agreement with University/Trust Research Contracts Department

Review Process:

  • External expert review
  • Scientific Advisory Committee review with short presentation and Q&A session
  • Board decision based on SAC recommendations, budget, and additional information

Application Methods:

  • Online application forms via ORUK website
  • Contact research@oruk.org for queries about fellowships or application process

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by programme but typically follow this pattern:

  • BOA/ORUK Fellowship: Applications close late April, online interviews in July, decisions shortly after
  • ORUK/BHS Fellowship: Applications close early July, interviews at BOA Annual Congress in September, immediate award decisions post-interview
  • BASK/ORUK Fellowship: Applications close mid-May, interviews and decisions in June
  • Early Career Research Fellowship: EoI stage in May, closing early July for 2-year fellowships starting the following year

Typical Timeline: 2-4 months from application deadline to final decision.

Success Rates

Up to 5 Early Career Research Fellowships awarded annually (dependent on quality and available budget). BOA/ORUK scheme awards 2 fellowships annually. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

ORUK does not publish a specific reapplication policy on their website. Unsuccessful applicants should contact research@oruk.org for guidance on reapplication eligibility and any waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

ORUK's Guidance to Applicants

Key Requirements:

  • Applications must “convey the societal need for their research as clearly as possible” - ORUK emphasises the importance of articulating patient and societal impact
  • Demonstrate relevance to improved patient outcomes
  • Show alignment with ORUK's focus on short-term benefits to patients and healthcare systems
  • Evidence-based approach with clear translation potential

Application Tips:

  • Blinded full applications are essential - ensure complete anonymisation
  • Prepare for presentation and Q&A with Scientific Advisory Committee
  • Engage early with University/Trust Research Contracts Department regarding Standard Research Agreement
  • Focus on how research will reduce MSK burden on individuals, workplaces, and health system
  • Demonstrate partnership potential with academic institutions, healthcare organisations, or industry

Strategic Alignment:

  • ORUK values research that can “quickly deliver benefits to patients and healthcare systems”
  • Emphasise innovation and commercial viability for Ronald Furlong Fund applications
  • Show how research expands knowledge, improves outcomes, and pioneers new treatments
  • Demonstrate contribution to diverse and inclusive research culture

Examples of Funded Work:

  • ESCAPE-pain: Award-winning group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain
  • Various fellowships developing research-active orthopaedic surgeons
  • Partnerships with National Joint Registry for data-driven research

Common Approach

ORUK uses a partnership model, co-funding research with organisations including British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK), British Hip Society (BHS), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), and others. Applications that demonstrate potential for such partnerships may be viewed favourably.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasise patient impact: ORUK prioritises research with clear, short-term benefits to patients and the NHS. Frame proposals around reducing MSK burden and improving patient outcomes.
  • Translation matters: Show how research will translate into new products, services, or clinical practices. ORUK values entrepreneurial researchers who can accelerate ideas to market.
  • Partnership potential: Consider co-funding opportunities with BOA, BASK, BHS, or other specialist societies. ORUK has strong collaborative funding models.
  • Career stage alignment: Match your application to the right programme - early career fellowships for those within 8 years of PhD/MD, specialist fellowships for experienced researchers in specific areas.
  • Anonymisation is critical: Full applications must be completely blinded. Any identifiable information will likely result in rejection.
  • Prepare for interview: SAC requires presentation and Q&A. Practice articulating societal need and patient benefit clearly and concisely.
  • Contact early: For any uncertainty about eligibility, agreement terms, or application process, contact research@oruk.org before investing time in application.

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References