The Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £162,908 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £110,068 (2024)
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (7 studentships since 2009)
• Decision Time: 12 weeks from application deadline to decision
• Grant Range: Full PhD funding (£21,805 stipend + tuition fees for 3.5 years)
• Geographic Focus: Global South research beneficiaries / County Durham

Contact Details

Address: Clive Owen & Co, 140 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RT

Phone: 01325 349700

Website: www.moyesfoundation.org

Studentship Enquiries: pg.geogadmin@durham.ac.uk (for PhD applications through Durham University)

Overview

The Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation was established in November 2009 in memory of Christopher Moyes, OBE (1949-2006), founder of the Go Ahead Group and former Chairman of Durham University Council. With annual income of £162,908 (2024), the Foundation primarily funds PhD studentships at Durham University's Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, focusing on research that addresses real-world challenges facing vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South. The Foundation has funded 7 PhD studentships to date, covering topics from Bangladesh flooding vulnerability to malaria eradication in Tanzania. While PhD studentships are the primary visible activity, the Foundation's charitable objectives also include relief of hardship and educational assistance for vulnerable groups in County Durham.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation PhD Studentship: Full tuition fees (home or overseas) + £21,805 annual stipend for 3.5 years (aligned with UKRI rates)
• Application method: Annual cycle through Durham University (typically opens late year for October entry)
• Number of awards: Approximately one studentship every 2-3 years

Priority Areas

• Research building resilience to hazards and risks in human societies, especially the Global South
• Projects benefiting vulnerable populations in lower-income countries
• Education and research at Durham University's Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience
• Relief of hardship for children, families, elderly, and people with disabilities in County Durham

What They Don't Fund

• Undergraduate or taught Master's programs
• Research outside hazard, risk, and resilience themes
• Projects without clear benefit to vulnerable populations or the Global South

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Jan Moyes (widow of Christopher Moyes, OBE)

Governance: Four trustees administer the Foundation

Professional Administration: Clive Owen & Co (accountants based in Darlington)

The Foundation continues Christopher Moyes's legacy as “a quiet, effective leader who believed in making a difference.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for PhD Studentships are made through Durham University's Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience:

Three-part application process:

1. Online application form (MS Forms) - supporting statement, English language proof, education details, referee names
2. Supporting documents (single PDF) - CV (2 pages max), language proficiency proof, degree certificates/transcripts
3. Two references sent directly by referees

Contact: pg.geogadmin@durham.ac.uk (subject line: “CMMF 2026_ApplicantSurname_Name”)

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: Announced annually (varies by year)
• Shortlisting and interviews: Early to mid-March (via video conferencing)
• Decision notification: Following interviews
• Start date: June or October (candidate's choice)
• Total timeline: Approximately 6-9 months from application to start

Success Rates

• 7 PhD studentships funded since 2009
• Approximately one studentship every 2-3 years
• Highly competitive given comprehensive funding package

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated - contact Durham University Geography Department for guidance

Application Success Factors

Essential Requirements:

• First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree (or international equivalent)
• Master's degree or equivalent research skills/experience
• Meeting Durham University English language requirements
• Outstanding potential for highest-level research

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• Global South Impact: Explicitly demonstrate “capacity and motivation to conduct research with strong potential to make a difference for relatively low-income populations in the Global South”
• Alignment with Foundation Values: Show how research embodies Christopher Moyes's commitment to practical difference-making
• Hazard and Risk Focus: Clear fit within the hazard, risk, and resilience framework - all funded projects address real challenges (flooding, volcanic hazards, disease, disaster mental health, climate migration)
• Diversity and Access: “Applications particularly encouraged from individuals who may have faced barriers to accessing postgraduate education and from underrepresented groups”
• Academic Excellence: Strong track record demonstrating “outstanding potential to undertake research at the highest level”

Recent Funded Research Examples:

• Post-disaster mental health and wellbeing of women following Nepal 2015 earthquake
• Climate resilience with/without migrants in Global South cities
• Mobilities governance in human trafficking-prone areas of South Asia
• Bangladesh flooding vulnerability, volcanic ash health hazards, Tanzania malaria eradication

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly Specialized Niche: PhD research in hazard, risk, and resilience at Durham University only - not suitable for other organizations or project types
• Global South Priority: Research must demonstrably benefit lower-income populations with clear practical impact on vulnerable communities
• Long-term Commitment: 3.5-year comprehensive funding indicates preference for rigorous doctoral research, not short-term projects
• Extremely Limited Awards: With only 7 studentships since 2009, competition is fierce - applications must be exceptional and perfectly aligned
• Values-Driven Selection: Honor Christopher Moyes's legacy of quiet, effective leadership - demonstrate how research embodies these values
• Diversity Valued: Explicit encouragement for those facing barriers suggests Foundation values diverse perspectives alongside academic excellence
• Broader Charitable Objectives: While PhD studentships are primary activity, Foundation's objectives include relief of hardship in County Durham - organizations in this area might explore other funding possibilities though no public process exists

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Leverhulme Trust
• The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge
• BFWG Charitable Foundation (Funds for Women Graduates)
• The Cambridge Political Economy Society Trust
• John Innes Foundation
• The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies
• The Randal Charitable Foundation
• The Pickwell Foundation
• Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement
• THE CLIVE RICHARDS FOUNDATION

References

• Durham University Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience. “Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation.” https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/hazard-risk-resilience/funding/christopher-moyes-memorial-foundation/
• Durham University. “Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation Studentship 2026.” https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/hazard-risk-resilience/funding/christopher-moyes-memorial-foundation/christopher-moyes-memorial-foundation-studentship-2026/
• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “The Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation - Charity 1123491.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4038111
• The Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation website. “CMMF - the Foundation.” https://moyesfoundation.org/cmmf-the-foundation/
• Durham University. “Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation Postgraduate Research alumni.” https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/hazard-risk-resilience/funding/christopher-moyes-memorial-foundation/christopher-moyes-memorial-foundation-postgraduate-research-alumni/