Rees Jeffreys Road Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £156,460 (2023)
• Success Rate: 25-30% (by funding value)
• Decision Time: Decisions notified promptly after trustee meetings
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £30,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (national significance preferred)
• Application Deadlines: Twice yearly (April and October)

Contact Details

Website: www.reesjeffreys.co.uk

Email: secretary@reesjeffreys.co.uk

Phone: 056 0384 9370

Secretary: Ruth Bravery

Accessibility support available for applicants with special needs who prefer alternative application methods.

Overview

The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund was established in 1950 by William Rees Jeffreys (1871-1954), a lifelong campaigner for roads who was described by former Prime Minister David Lloyd George as “the greatest authority on roads in the United Kingdom.” Following Jeffreys' death in 1954, his estate created an endowment that has supported road-related projects for over 70 years. The Fund holds investments valued at approximately £7 million and generates around £197,000 annually in investment income. The charity operates through a board of nine trustees, all unpaid, who bring extensive expertise from across the highways and transport sector. In 2024, the Fund received applications totaling £547,571 and made grant awards of £85,038. The Fund champions innovation in transport policy, design, management and practice, with a particular focus on projects with national significance and those involving multiple funding partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Project Grants: £3,000 - £30,000 (typically under £30,000)

• Research projects: Innovative studies advancing road transport policy and practice
• Education projects: Programs promoting transport sector learning and development
• Physical & roadside projects: Environmental improvements to land adjoining highways
• Two application deadlines annually (April and October)
• Two-stage application process (initial enquiry, then invitation to full application)

MSc Bursaries: £10,000 per student

• For transport-related MSc studies at 12 participating UK universities
• Applications submitted by universities only (students cannot apply directly)
• Annual deadline in early July
• Over 200 bursaries awarded in the last three decades
• More than 60% of recipients remain in the transport sector after 5 years

Ready for the Future Grants: Up to £10,000 (typically under £10,000)

• Professional development grants for transport sector careers
• For candidates unable to afford study without assistance
• Approximately 5 grants awarded annually
• Annual deadline in early April

Priority Areas

The Fund's charitable objects focus on:

• Educational activities leading to improvements in highway design and adjoining land
• Promoting engagement and interchange between road vehicle designers/manufacturers, land-use planners, and highway engineers
• Encouraging improvements to highway design, efficiency and safety
• Conserving and enhancing visual and environmental quality of the roadside environment

Recent Funded Topics Include:

• Active travel infrastructure and accessibility
• Road safety research (particularly for vulnerable users)
• Sustainable transport and decarbonization
• Highway pollution and environmental impact
• Low traffic neighbourhoods and urban design
• Emerging technologies (AI, automated vehicles, electric mobility)
• Inclusive transport design
• Highway maintenance innovation
• Roadside biodiversity and green infrastructure

Favoured Characteristics:

• National rather than local significance
• Innovative approaches and new ideas
• Projects involving multiple funding partners (match funding)
• Clear deliverability and outcomes
• Value for money and public good potential

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly listed, the Fund's charitable objects limit grants to projects directly related to roads, highways and land adjoining highways. Projects must align with the Fund's mission to “encourage and promote better and safer roads, through design, engineering and aesthetics.”

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

Andy Graham (Chair) - BSc FIET FCIHT

Director at White Willow Consulting with 35 years' experience in roads technology, specializing in connected vehicles and traffic data.

Hilary Chipping (Vice Chair) - MA (Econ)

Former Chief Executive at South East Midlands LEP and previous Director of Strategy at Highways Agency.

Steve Gooding - CB FCILT FCIHT

Director of RAC Foundation with extensive civil service career in transport.

Dr Suzy Charman (Bursary Panel) - PhD

Executive Director of Road Safety Foundation with 17 years in road safety research.

Mark Kemp (Bursary Panel) - CEng FCIHT FICE

Director of Local Transport at WSP, former Executive Director at Hertfordshire County Council.

Dr Jo White - CEng MIET

Research, Development and Innovation Director at National Highways with 20+ years in the sector.

Professor Greg Marsden - Ph.D MEng MCIHT FHEA

Professor of Transport Governance at University of Leeds, specializing in transport policy design.

Dr Neil Hoose - Ph.D MSc BSc (Hons) FCIHT

Independent transport technology consultant and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London.

Sue Percy - CBE BSc (Hons) FCIHT

CEO of Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation with 30+ years in the built environment.

Zahra Ali (Adviser) - MSc

Senior Strategic Transport Planner and former Rees Jeffreys MSc bursary recipient.

Leadership Perspective

Ginny Clarke CBE (previous Chair, 2023) has emphasized the Fund's role in supporting projects that deliver “public good” and effectiveness. Trustees evaluate applications based on potential national impact, innovation, and the project's ability to advance the founder's vision of better and safer roads in the broadest sense—recognizing that “road users” includes pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users, not just motorists.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process Required:

Stage 1 - Initial Enquiry (at least 6 weeks before deadline):

• Email the Fund Secretary (secretary@reesjeffreys.co.uk) with a short outline proposal
• Include: project description, funding level sought, expected outcomes
• Applications received without prior notice close to or on the deadline will not be accepted
• Trustees review enquiry and decide whether to invite full application

Stage 2 - Full Application (by invitation only):

• Complete detailed application if invited by trustees
• Review RJRF Guidance Notes for Applicants available on website
• Ensure project aligns with Fund's charitable objects

Application Deadlines (Project Grants):

• Spring Round: Mid-April (Trustee meeting late April)
• Autumn Round: Mid-October (Trustee meeting late October)

MSc Bursaries:

• Universities submit applications in June/early July
• Students must contact their course tutor (direct applications not accepted)
• Decisions made in July

Ready for the Future Grants:

• Annual deadline in early April
• Online application form required

Decision Timeline

Decisions are notified promptly after trustee meetings. For project grants, this typically means:

• April deadline → Decision by late April/early May
• October deadline → Decision by late October/early November

Trustee meetings occur twice yearly specifically to review applications.

Success Rates

2024: £547,571 requested / £85,038 awarded = 15.5% success rate (by value)

2023: £439,911 requested / £156,460 awarded = 35.6% success rate (by value)

Overall success rate appears to range between 15-35% by funding value requested. The number of individual applications versus awards is not publicly disclosed, but the Fund makes approximately 8-15 project grants per year in addition to MSc bursaries and Ready for the Future grants.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fund Secretary directly to discuss reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Based on documented guidance and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. National Significance

The Fund explicitly states trustees “favour proposals which have national, rather than local, significance.” Successful projects often:

• Create replicable models for other regions
• Develop guidance or standards applicable UK-wide
• Generate research with national policy implications
• Involve national organizations or networks

Recent examples: CIHT carbon calculation guidance (£30,000), Plantlife roadside verge management standards (£18,233), Living Streets Pedestrian Pound update (£20,000).

2. Match Funding and Partnerships

Trustees prefer “proposals which involve other funding partners.” Successful applications often demonstrate:

• Co-funding from other sources
• Partnership with multiple organizations
• Collaborative approaches across sectors
• Leveraging Rees Jeffreys funding to unlock larger investment

3. Innovation and Novel Ideas

The Fund “welcomes proposals and ideas for innovative topics and projects.” Recent funded work includes:

• Future Transport Visions Group for early career professionals (£28,000)
• Engaging young people in consultation toolkit (£17,283)
• Gender safety in transport infrastructure (£10,000)
• Children's podcast on Roads in 2050 (£10,000)

4. Clear Deliverability and Outcomes

CIHT guidance emphasizes presenting “well-grounded” ideas with demonstrated deliverability. Successful applications specify:

• Concrete outputs (guidance documents, reports, physical improvements)
• Clear timelines
• Defined beneficiaries
• Measurable outcomes

5. Alignment with Founder's Vision

Projects must relate to “better and safer roads” but trustees interpret this broadly:

• Active travel (cycling, walking)
• Environmental roadside improvements
• Road user safety (all modes)
• Highway design innovation
• Transport policy research

The Fund's founder was “a keen cyclist,” and modern trustees maintain this inclusive view of road users.

6. Value for Money

For Ready for the Future grants, trustees explicitly evaluate “value for money...compared to the likely benefit to the transport sector.” Project grants appear assessed similarly—realistic budgets that demonstrate effective use of funds.

7. Understanding the Fund's Objects

Applications must "consider the Fund's Objects carefully" as the Fund can only support projects relating to their charitable purposes. Reading annual reports and reviewing previously funded projects provides insight into trustee priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact first: The mandatory two-stage process means initial enquiry at least 6 weeks before deadlines—build this into your planning timeline
• Think national: Frame even local projects in terms of wider applicability, replicable models, or national significance through partnerships or outputs
• Find partners: Match funding and collaborative approaches significantly strengthen applications—trustees explicitly favor proposals involving other funders
• Be innovative: The Fund welcomes novel approaches and emerging topics—don't shy away from testing new ideas if well-grounded in deliverability
• Define road users broadly: Remember the founder was a cyclist—the Fund supports all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport
• Study past awards: The website lists hundreds of funded projects—review recent grants in your area to understand funding patterns and successful project types
• Demonstrate public good: Trustees evaluate projects on effectiveness and public benefit—articulate clear outcomes that advance the sector beyond your immediate project

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Road Safety Trust
• Foundation for Integrated Transport
• MOTABILITY Foundation
• Educational Opportunity Foundation
• The Clothworkers' Foundation
• The Allen Lane Foundation
• The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation (Forte Charitable Foundation)
• Peter Harrison Foundation
• The Pilgrim Trust
• THE VETERANS' FOUNDATION

References

1. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Official Website - Grants Page: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/grants/
2. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - About William Rees Jeffreys: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/about-william-rees-jeffreys/
3. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - The RJRF Trustees: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/trustees/
4. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - Applying For Funds: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/applying-for-funds/
5. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - Research Projects: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/research-projects/
6. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - Education Projects: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/education-projects/
7. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - Physical and Roadside Projects: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/physical-and-roadside-projects/
8. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - MSc Bursaries: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/bursaries/
9. Rees Jeffreys Road Fund - Ready for the Future Grants: https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/ready-for-the-future/
10. UK Charity Commission - Rees Jeffreys Road Fund (217771): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/217771
11. CIHT - Five need-to-knows about the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund: https://www.ciht.org.uk/news/five-need-to-knows-about-the-rees-jeffreys-road-fund/
12. Wikipedia - William Rees Jeffreys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rees_Jeffreys