Rosetrees Trust

Quick Stats

• Founded: 1990
• Annual Giving: Data not publicly available (estimated multi-million based on active portfolio)
• Active Projects: Approximately 300
• Decision Time: 6 months (approximately)
• Grant Range: £9,618 - £330,000 (depending on scheme)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based research (England and Wales)
• Total Impact: £1.2 billion in follow-on funding generated since 1990

Contact Details

Website: www.rosetrees.org.uk (Note: Charity records show www.rosetreescio.net)

Email: info@rosetreescio.net

Phone: 020 8951 2588

Application Portal: rosetreestrust.flexigrant.com

Overview

Rosetrees Trust is a private UK charity founded in 1990, operating as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) under charity number 1197546. The Trust employs a venture philanthropy model to support cutting-edge medical research likely to lead to early diagnosis, treatment, therapies and medication. With approximately 300 active projects and a track record spanning over 30 years, Rosetrees has catalysed over £1.2 billion in follow-on funding across 85+ institutions. In the last five years alone, their grantees have leveraged £230 million from other funding bodies. The Trust has facilitated the delivery of 47 drugs, gene therapies, diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions and a vaccine. Run by a small, highly skilled team and advised by internationally renowned scientists, Rosetrees focuses on innovative, early-stage experimental research that often sits outside traditional funder schemes, with a goal of funding research that will benefit healthcare within 5-10 years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Seedcorn Awards: £330,000 over 3 years (£110,000 p.a.)

• For Masters, PhD students and early career post-docs as lead applicants
• Must be applied for with established co-applicants due to competitiveness
• Helps generate preliminary data to advance innovative ideas
• Rolling application process via Flexigrant portal

Intermediate Continuation Awards: Up to £100,000 over 3 years (capped at £34,000 per year)

• For continuation funding of early discovery phase translational research
• Only for PIs with active or recently completed (within 12 months) Rosetrees grants
• Requires matched funding element
• Fixed deadline rounds

Major Project Awards: Up to £210,000 over 3 years (capped at £70,000 per year)

• For highly translational research with potential for patient benefits within 5-10 years
• Requires matched funding element for directly incurred costs
• Fixed deadline rounds
• PI must have tenured post or guaranteed salary for grant lifetime

Interdisciplinary Awards: Up to £330,000 over 3 years

• For interdisciplinary research projects
• Both lead applicants should be tenured academics, UK-based, preferably same institution
• Thematic focus varies annually (2024 focus: prenatal health for lifelong wellbeing)
• Annual rounds with specific deadlines

PhD Plus Awards: 6-12 months flexible funding

• £1,603/month stipend (outside London) or £1,770/month (inside London)
• Up to £650/month for consumables
• Extends 3-year PhD to 4-year studentship for outstanding progress

Priority Areas

Rosetrees funds research across the spectrum of medical conditions including:

• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Mental health
• Eczema
• Pain management
• Sleep disorders
• Infertility

The Trust prioritises:

• Novel and innovative hypotheses with preliminary data
• Translational research with clear pathway to clinical application
• Projects addressing unmet clinical needs impacting significant UK patient populations
• Early-stage experimental research outside mainstream funding schemes
• Research with potential to secure further funding
• Projects with “line of sight to clinic” within 5-10 years post-grant

What They Don't Fund

Excluded Costs:

• Institutional overheads
• Large equipment or capital spending
• Conference costs
• Technology transfer fees
• Tuition fees
• Salaries of tenured staff (principal investigators)
• Apprenticeship levies
• Publication costs (except open-access)

Research Scope Exclusions:

• Projects without clear translational pathway
• Research conducted outside UK institutions
• Identical resubmissions without amendments

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Richard Ross - Chairman, Rosetrees Trust

Ann Lee - Chief Executive

Joined as Director of Development in 2017, became CEO in 2018. Previously worked in finance sector and led joint Macmillan-Citizens Advice initiative providing financial advice for cancer patients.

Dr. Vineeth - Grant Review Officer

Joined 2017, previously at UCL specialising in cancer biology and imaging. Responsible for grant triage, review process support, and impact evaluation.

Dr. Megan - Research Officer

Joined 2021, previously worked in neurodegenerative research at Oxford and Southampton. Supports review process and project impact evaluation.

Bryan - Project Manager and IT Consultant

Joined 2023, 35 years experience managing software development projects at consultancies and banks including UBS and Barclays.

Other Trustees

Sam - Qualified solicitor, former Rosetrees CEO, advises on business and charity sector matters

Debbie - 20 years Not for Profit experience, Vice-Chair of Jewish Care, former trustee of Jami (mental health charity), Vice-Chair of Jewish Leadership Council & Chair of Lead division

The Trust is also advised by a Scientific Advisory Panel of internationally renowned researchers.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Phase 1: Submit preliminary application (expression of interest) via Flexigrant online portal
• Triaged by internal scientific panel
• Phase 2: Shortlisted applicants invited to submit full application
• Full applications sent for external peer review

• Online submission through rosetreestrust.flexigrant.com
• Technical report within specified page limits and font size
• All references, figures, appendices within page limit
• Strict deadlines with no extensions granted
• Submit early to avoid technical issues

• Seedcorn: Rolling basis
• Intermediate/Major Project/Interdisciplinary: Fixed annual deadlines

Decision Timeline

• Expected timeframe: Approximately 6 months from round deadline to funding offer
• Rounds with fewer submissions may be quicker
• Rounds considering larger amounts may take slightly longer
• Rejected proposals receive notification when outcome is known
• Applications rejected after triage receive feedback from external reviewers
• Payments made in 6-monthly instalments in advance from project start
• Subsequent payments contingent on satisfactory progress reports

Success Rates

The Trust receives “significantly more fundable applications than our budget can support,” indicating intense competition. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. The continuation funding scheme is described as “highly competitive.”

Competitive advantage tip: Applications with matched funding towards directly incurred costs may stand a greater chance of success as this allows the Trust to support more projects.

Reapplication Policy

Resubmission allowed: Yes, unsuccessful applicants can resubmit proposals in the next similar round.

Requirements for reapplication:

• Applicants must not submit identical applications
• Expected to strengthen submissions based on feedback provided or internal discussion
• Revisions and amendments should address reviewer concerns

Feedback availability:

• No individual feedback for applications rejected at triage stage (due to high volume)
• Applications progressing beyond triage receive feedback from external reviewers
• Can use feedback to revise and resubmit in subsequent rounds

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

“Line of sight to clinic” is essential - The Trust emphasises this repeatedly. Projects don't need to result in patient benefit by grant end, but must have a clear plan for achieving this within 5-10 years post-grant.

Quality and potential impact - “The quality of the project and the potential impact on human health is of highest importance.”

Clinical translation pathway - Funding should enable projects to develop towards clinical translation, targeting unmet clinical needs impacting significant UK patient populations.

Track record - For major grants, PIs typically need demonstrated experience managing grants, delivering research studies, and strong publication record.

Strategic Advice

1. Demonstrate novelty and innovation: Rosetrees positions itself as funding research “that may sit outside the schemes of other funders” - emphasise what makes your approach distinctive

1. Show leverage potential: Highlight how Rosetrees funding will generate further funding - their researchers have averaged £230 million in follow-on funding over 5 years

1. Include matched funding: While not always required, matched funding increases success likelihood as it enables more project support

1. Emphasise interdisciplinarity: The Trust values collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches - projects are “chosen on their own merits and interdisciplinarity”

1. For early-career researchers: Apply with established co-applicants due to high competition

1. Provide preliminary data: Particularly for Seedcorn, have “some preliminary data that can be developed further”

1. Target current priorities: While funding across all medical areas, noting annual thematic focuses (e.g., 2024 priorities: mental health, eczema, pain, sleep, infertility)

Common Success Indicators

• Clear translational pathway articulated
• Significant patient population impact potential
• Novel approach with preliminary supporting data
• Realistic 5-10 year timeline to clinical benefit
• Strong collaborative team with relevant expertise
• Matched funding secured or committed

Application Quality Tips

• Format strictly according to guidelines (page limits, font size)
• Submit early to avoid technical portal issues
• Ensure technical report is comprehensive but concise
• Address all review criteria explicitly
• Demonstrate understanding of translational pathway
• Show awareness of clinical context and patient need

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. “Line of sight to clinic” is non-negotiable - Every application must clearly articulate the pathway to clinical translation within 5-10 years post-grant, even if patient benefit isn't achieved during the grant period itself.

1. Position as innovative and distinctive - Rosetrees specifically supports early-stage, experimental research that sits outside mainstream funder schemes. Emphasise what makes your approach novel and why traditional funders may not support it.

1. Demonstrate leverage and impact - The Trust values its catalytic role - researchers have generated £1.2 billion in follow-on funding. Show how their investment will unlock further resources and maximize impact.

1. Matched funding strengthens applications - While not always mandatory, including matched funding (secured grants or in-kind support) significantly improves competitiveness by enabling the Trust to support more projects.

1. Two-phase process requires strategic thinking - The preliminary application/expression of interest is crucial for getting past triage. Make this compelling and complete, as rejected applications at this stage receive no feedback.

1. Use feedback to strengthen resubmissions - Unsuccessful applicants can and should reapply in subsequent rounds, but must incorporate reviewer feedback and meaningfully strengthen the proposal - identical resubmissions are not acceptable.

1. Competition is intense - With approximately 300 active projects and receiving “significantly more fundable applications than budget allows,” applications must be exceptional quality with clear translational potential, strong preliminary data, and realistic clinical pathways.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• P F Charitable Trust
• Medical Research Council
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Grace Trust
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Dunhill Medical Trust (Vivensa Foundation)
• PROJECT GIVING BACK
• Charity of Sir Richard Whittington
• The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
• The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
• NPT Transatlantic Limited
• ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH UK
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• King's College London
• King's College
• Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust
• BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH
• FRONTIERS

References

1. Rosetrees Trust Official Website - https://rosetrees.org.uk/
2. Rosetrees Trust Funding Information - https://rosetrees.org.uk/funding/
3. Rosetrees Trust General Application FAQs - https://rosetrees.org.uk/faq/
4. Rosetrees Trust Who's Who - https://rosetrees.org.uk/whos-who/
5. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1197546 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5188567
6. Rosetrees Major Project Awards - https://rosetrees.org.uk/project_awards/
7. Rosetrees Seedcorn Awards - https://rosetrees.org.uk/seedcorn-awards/
8. Rosetrees Continuation Awards 2024 - https://rosetrees.org.uk/continuation/
9. Rosetrees Interdisciplinary Awards - https://rosetrees.org.uk/interdisciplinary-award-applications/
10. Rosetrees PhD Plus Awards - https://rosetrees.org.uk/phd-plus/
11. Imperial College London News: “Imperial welcomes innovative Rosetrees Trust charity” - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/242270/imperial-welcomes-innovative-rosetrees-trust-charity/