The Child Health Research Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,665,000 (charitable activities expenditure 2024)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £90,000+ (from MSc bursaries to 3-year PhD studentships)
• Geographic Focus: UK (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health)
• Beneficiaries: Students and researchers affiliated with UCL ICH

Contact Details

Address: c/o CHR CIO, Director's office, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, U.K.

Phone: 020 7905 2723

For MSc/MRes Bursary Applications: ich.scholarships@ucl.ac.uk

Website: Information available through UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/

Overview

THE CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH CIO (charity 1152623) was formed in 2013 through the merger of three existing charities: The General Charitable Trust of ICH (GCT), The Child Health Research Appeal Trust (CHRAT), and the Bill Marshall Memorial Fund (BMMF). The charity reported total income of £2.38 million and charitable expenditure of £1.67 million in the financial year ending July 2024. The CIO exists exclusively to support the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, operating alongside Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and UCL's Office of the Vice-President (Advancement). The charity's mission focuses on advancing health in children through research support and advancing education through teaching, training, and public engagement in children's health. All funding programs are directed toward students and researchers affiliated with UCL ICH, making this a single-institution funder rather than an open grant-maker.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Bursary

• Amount: Up to £3,000 for full-time students; up to £1,500 per year for part-time students (paid over two years)
• Beneficiaries: Up to 10 MSc or MRes students at UCL ICH
• Application Method: Email application to ich.scholarships@ucl.ac.uk
• Deadline: August 15 (annually), 5:00 pm
• Outcomes Announced: Mid-September

Child Health Research PhD Studentships

• Amount: Full funding for three years including £23,466 annual stipend (tax-free) + £6,000 annual consumables budget + UK tuition fees covered
• Number Available: Up to 5 studentships per year
• Application Method: Direct application through UCL after contacting preferred supervisor
• Deadline: December 12 (annually), 17:00 GMT
• Interviews: Mid-February
• Success Rate: Approximately 3% (33 applicants per studentship in 2025/26)

Summer Research Internship Scheme

• Amount: 8-week paid internship at London Living Wage
• Beneficiaries: Undergraduate students in science or clinical subjects
• Eligibility: Students on track for at least 2.1 degree, completed first or second year, preferably with minimal prior research experience (less than 4 weeks)
• Application Method: Annual application process
• Deadline: Late March
• Duration: Typically July to early September

Bill Marshall Fellowship

• Amount: Not publicly specified
• Beneficiaries: Junior doctors in training
• Purpose: Research opportunity at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust and UCL ICH

Priority Areas

The CIO supports research and education in:

• Children's health and well-being
• Pre-natal development
• External factors impacting child health
• Paediatrics and child health (preference given for MSc bursaries)
• Developmental biology, genetics, epilepsy, paediatric surgery (recent PhD studentship themes)
• Both fundamental and translational research

What They Don't Fund

• External organizations unaffiliated with UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
• Researchers or students not enrolled at or affiliated with UCL ICH
• Projects not connected to the UCL ICH mission
• International fees beyond UK/Home rate (PhD studentships cover UK fees only)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 trustees total):

• Adrian Clark - Chair (appointed December 2018)
• Professor Judith Helen Cross - Trustee (appointed September 2022)
• Professor Howard William Clark MD-DPhil - Trustee (appointed February 2023)
• Dr Kiki Syrad - Trustee (appointed November 2023)
• Penelope Anne Wotton - Trustee (appointed October 2024)
• Henry Snow - Trustee (appointed March 2022)
• Helena Vinnicombe - Trustee (appointed April 2020)

The Board comprises independent trustees as well as senior staff from ICH, GOSH, and UCL. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Staffing: The charity employs 2 staff members.

How to Apply to The Child Health Research Cio

How to Apply

MSc/MRes Bursaries:

1. Complete and submit application form to ich.scholarships@ucl.ac.uk
2. Deadline: August 15, 5:00 pm (annually)
3. Outcomes announced: September 16
4. Award deducted from fees at program start

PhD Studentships:

1. Review available projects on UCL ICH website
2. Contact supervisor of preferred project to discuss research and supervisory arrangements
3. Submit formal application through UCL portal
4. Deadline: December 12, 17:00 GMT (annually)
5. Shortlisting and interviews: February 19-20
6. Studentships commence: October

Summer Internships:

1. Submit application through UCL ICH system
2. Deadline: Late March (typically March 28)
3. Internships run: Early July to early September

Bill Marshall Fellowship:

• Application process not publicly documented; likely through direct contact with UCL ICH

Decision Timeline

• MSc/MRes Bursaries: Approximately 1 month (mid-August application to mid-September notification)
• PhD Studentships: Approximately 2-3 months (mid-December application to mid-February interviews, October start)
• Summer Internships: Approximately 3 months (late March application to early July start)

Success Rates

• PhD Studentships: Approximately 3% success rate (33 applicants compete for each available position)
• MSc/MRes Bursaries: Up to 10 awards available annually; total applicant numbers not published
• Summer Internships: Up to 7 bursaries available annually; total applicant numbers not published

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions documented. As these are student-focused awards tied to specific academic programs, reapplication would typically only be relevant for those extending studies or applying for different program levels (e.g., MSc student later applying for PhD).

Application Success Factors

For MSc/MRes Bursaries:

• Academic excellence: Outstanding academic qualifications are prioritized
• Commitment to field: Demonstrated through previous work, professional development, conference attendance, and relevant qualifications
• Clear career planning: Strong articulation of career plans and how the MSc/MRes supports those goals
• Rationale for funding: Clear explanation of how the bursary will be used
• Relevance to paediatrics: Preference given to courses relevant to paediatrics and child health
• Financial viability (overseas students): Panel must verify ability to afford remaining program costs beyond bursary

For PhD Studentships:

• Academic credentials: UK first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent), and/or relevant Master's degree
• Pre-application engagement: Contacting preferred supervisor before applying is required, demonstrating research alignment
• Research fit: Alignment with available projects in developmental biology, genetics, epilepsy, paediatric surgery, or related fields
• Clinical background welcomed: Clinical graduates encouraged to apply
• Strong competition: With only 3% success rate, applications must demonstrate exceptional potential

For Summer Internships:

• Limited experience preferred: Priority given to those with “no or little (less than four weeks) previous research experience”
• Academic trajectory: Must be on track for at least 2.1 degree
• Career aspirations: Ideal candidates are interested in pursuing Masters/PhD
• Subject relevance: Scientific or clinical undergraduate degrees
• Timing: Must have completed first or second year of BSc

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Single-institution funder: This CIO exclusively funds UCL ICH-affiliated students and researchers; no external organizational applications accepted
• Student-focused programs: All funding streams support individual students/researchers rather than organizational projects or programs
• Early engagement essential: For PhD studentships, contacting supervisors before application is mandatory; demonstrates serious interest and research fit
• Highly competitive PhD funding: With 3% success rate, PhD applications require exceptional academic credentials and clear research alignment
• Limited experience advantage: Summer internships specifically target those new to research, making this ideal for undergraduates seeking first research exposure
• Career narrative matters: Particularly for MSc/MRes bursaries, clear articulation of how the program supports long-term career goals in child health is essential
• Complementary to other UCL funding: The CIO works alongside Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and UCL's advancement office; applicants should explore all available UCL ICH funding sources

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• H And M Castang Charitable Trust
• London Catalyst
• The Childhood Trust
• The Shaftesbury Homes And Arethusa (syp Trust)
• City Educational Trust Fund
• Royal Female School Of Art Foundation
• Trust For London
• Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust
• The Story Of Christmas
• The Chronic Disease Research Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH CIO (1152623): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1152623

1. UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health - Funding and Studentships: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/study/funding-and-studentships

1. UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Bursary: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/study/postgraduate-taught-scholarships-and-phd-studentships/postgraduate-taught-scholarships/great

1. UCL - Undergraduate Summer Studentships: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/study/undergraduate-summer-studentships

1. UCL - PhD Studentships in Child Health: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/study/postgraduate-research-programmes/phd-studentships

1. UCL - Support Our Work: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/about-us/support-our-work

1. UK Charity Commission - Trustees information for charity 1152623: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5038807/trustees