T F C Frost Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 256590
• Annual Giving: £92,975 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 1-2 months (applications reviewed December and May)
• Grant Range: Up to £50,000 per fellowship
• Geographic Focus: UK-based ophthalmologists (for training usually abroad)

Contact Details

Email: holmes_and_co@hotmail.com

Phone: 01372 465378

Address: 10 Torrington Road, Claygate, Esher, Surrey KT10 0SA

Website: Information available through The Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Pre-application Contact: Mr John Holmes F.C.A., Trustees' Secretary (email above)

Overview

The T F C Frost Charitable Trust, established in 1966, is a specialist grant-making charity dedicated to advancing ophthalmology research and training in the United Kingdom. Registered with the UK Charity Commission (charity number 256590), the trust has a distinguished 58-year history of supporting eye disease research through recognised university and hospital research departments. Over its lifetime, the trust has funded in excess of 150 fellowships (including 46 overseas placements) and donated more than £5.1 million for research and training. With annual expenditure of approximately £93,000 (2024/25), the trust operates with 8 trustees who serve without remuneration, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing funds available for research and training support. The trust works in partnership with The Royal College of Ophthalmologists to identify and support promising ophthalmologists who will advance UK eye care.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Clinical Fellowships (up to £50,000)

• Supports ophthalmologists currently training in the UK
• Funds fellowship periods at centres of excellence, usually abroad
• Application deadline: 30th October annually
• Decisions made: Early December at trustees' meeting
• Applications via email to trustees' secretary

Priority Areas

The trust focuses exclusively on:

• Eye disease research through recognised university and hospital research departments
• Clinical fellowships for ophthalmologists in UK training programs
• Training at centres of excellence that will impact both the applicant's career and UK ophthalmology broadly
• Research and training that advances understanding and treatment of visual impairments
• Overseas training opportunities that bring international expertise back to UK practice

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust's narrow focus suggests they do not fund:

• Projects outside ophthalmology and eye disease research
• Applicants not currently training in UK ophthalmology programs
• General medical research not related to eye disease
• Infrastructure or equipment costs unrelated to research fellowships
• Retrospective funding for completed training

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 8 trustees oversee the charity, all serving without remuneration, payments, or benefits

Trustees' Secretary: Mr John Holmes F.C.A. (primary contact for applications)

The trust operates with no employees and no trading subsidiaries, maintaining a lean structure that maximizes the proportion of funds directed to research and training grants. The trustees meet twice per calendar year to review applications and make funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Email submission to trustees' secretary

Contact: Mr John Holmes F.C.A. at holmes_and_co@hotmail.com

Deadline: No later than 30th October (for December review)

Application Components: Should include:

• Summary of proposed clinical and research fellowship
• Demonstration that fellowship is at a centre of excellence
• Evidence of impact on applicant's career
• Evidence of broader impact on UK ophthalmology
• Place of research (name of hospital or university)

Decision Timeline

Submission deadline: 30th October annually

Trustees' meeting: Early December (first review meeting)

Decision timeframe: Applications reviewed within 1-2 months of submission

Meeting frequency: Trustees meet twice per calendar year

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, with over 150 fellowships funded since 1966 (averaging approximately 3 fellowships per year), competition is likely to be strong given the substantial £50,000 maximum award.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Applicants should contact the trustees' secretary for guidance on resubmission if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and history:

Demonstrate Centre of Excellence Status: Applications must clearly show the proposed training location is internationally recognized for ophthalmology excellence. Provide evidence of the institution's reputation, faculty expertise, and unique training opportunities not available in the UK.

Show Dual Impact: The trust explicitly seeks impact on both the individual applicant's career trajectory and UK ophthalmology more broadly. Applications should articulate how skills and knowledge gained will be disseminated and implemented within UK practice upon return.

Merit-Based Selection: Awards are made “strictly on merit” according to trust documentation. Applications should emphasize academic achievement, research potential, and clear training objectives rather than financial need alone.

International Training Focus: With 46 of their 150+ fellowships supporting overseas training, the trust values international exposure. While domestic training may be considered, applications for overseas centres of excellence appear particularly aligned with historical funding patterns.

Timing Matters: With only two trustee meetings per year and applications due by 30th October for December review, early submission demonstrates organization and commitment. Late applications must wait for the next cycle.

Professional Partnership: Working through The Royal College of Ophthalmologists demonstrates the trust's commitment to supporting trainees within established professional frameworks. Applicants should ensure their applications reflect professional standards expected by the College.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Specialist funder: This trust funds exclusively ophthalmology research and clinical training fellowships—do not approach for other medical specialties or general eye care services
• Competitive awards: With substantial grants up to £50,000 and only two decision points per year, competition is significant; applications must be exceptional
• International focus valued: Nearly one-third of historical fellowships supported overseas training, indicating strong preference for international centres of excellence
• Career development emphasis: The trust seeks to support individuals who will become leaders in UK ophthalmology, not just fund research projects
• Strict deadlines: With only 30th October deadline annually and decisions in early December, plan application timeline carefully
• Merit trumps need: Financial need alone is insufficient; academic excellence and training quality are paramount
• Long-term impact required: Applications must demonstrate how training will benefit UK ophthalmology beyond the individual applicant's career advancement

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• MISS BARBARA MARY WILMOT DISCRETIONARY TRUST
• Moorfields Eye Charity
• Fight for Sight
• The Spectacle Makers' Charity
• SIGHT RESEARCH UK
• RETINA UK
• The Powell Family Foundation
• THE MABS MARDULYN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Ulverscroft Foundation
• Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Educational Charity

References

• UK Charity Commission Register, T F C Frost Charitable Trust (Charity No. 256590), accessed 2 February 2026. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/256590
• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, “Scholarships, awards and prizes”, accessed 2 February 2026. https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/events-courses/scholarships-awards-prizes/
• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, “The T.F.C. Frost Charitable Trust”, June 2018, accessed 2 February 2026. https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/2018/06/the-t-f-c-frost-charitable-trust-2/
• Charity Choice, “T F C Frost Charitable Trust”, accessed 2 February 2026. https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/t-f-c-frost-charitable-trust-153889
• University of Southampton, “A Lotery TFC Frost Charitable Trust” research project listing, accessed 2 February 2026. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/projects/a-lotery-tfc-frost-charitable-trust