The Co-operative Clinical Cancer Therapy Trust Fund (lymphoma Research Trust)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £110,672 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £12,697 - £583,227
• Geographic Focus: UK-based hospitals and universities only
• Charity Number: 263424

Contact Details

Address: Trustees Department, 5th Floor East, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG

Website: www.lymphoma-research-trust.org.uk

Grant Applications Contact: Tim Redding

Email: tim.redding@nhs.net

Donations Contact: Jocelyn Forster

Email: Jocelyn.Forster@nhs.net

General Contact:

Email: carron.lindsay@nhs.net

Phone: 020 3447 9931

Overview

The Co-operative Clinical Cancer Therapy Trust Fund, operating as the Lymphoma Research Trust, was established in 1971 (with activities beginning in 1973) to support the British National Lymphoma Investigation (BNLI). The BNLI was formed in 1970 to coordinate medical research into the diagnosis and treatment of lymphomas, comprising haematologists, oncologists, and pathologists conducting clinical trials to determine optimal treatments for Hodgkin's Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas.

With an annual expenditure of £110,672 (year ending March 2024), the Trust funds research into lymphoma treatment, making grants to medical researchers who organise clinical trials to assess whether new treatments work better than existing ones and test different combinations to determine effectiveness. The Trust does not receive any government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations. Initially supporting BNLI activities, the Trust now makes grants to researchers at the Lymphoma Trials Office at University College London and doctors at other UK universities and hospitals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Training Grants

Support for junior physicians to undertake short-term training programmes in specialised clinical trial or laboratory techniques at recognised centres. These programmes are designed to encourage academic clinical and translational research and facilitate future research into lymphoproliferative disorders. Training includes trial management, regulatory affairs, ethics, statistical analysis, and translational research.

Early Stage Research Grants

Funding for early stage “proof of principle” research to support consumables costs, with the intention that successful projects will seek further funding later to undertake clinical and/or translational studies that may improve patient care.

Clinical Trials Programme Funding

Larger-scale funding for clinical trials infrastructure, including research fellows, trials assistants, project managers, and statisticians to develop and open new studies, manage completed studies, and publish trial results.

Recent Grant Awards

• December 2024: £583,227 over three years (2025-2027) for clinical trials programme including lead, assistant, project manager, and statistician
• December 2024: £39,934 to Dr Heather Long for investigating the tumour immune microenvironment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PLTD)
• June 2024: £23,250 to Mr Andrew McKean (Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust) for phenotyping the immune landscape in breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIS-ALCL)
• November 2023: £71,009 for a lymphoma clinical trials fellow
• June 2023: £13,588 to Dr Barrett for analysis of the biomarker TARC in Hodgkin Lymphoma as part of the AVENuE clinical trial
• November 2022: £45,755 to Dr Poynton
• November 2021: £12,697 to Christie NHS Foundation Trust
• May 2021: £30,762 to Dr Offor

Priority Areas

• Lymphoma clinical trials research
• Lymphoproliferative disorders treatment and diagnosis
• Leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, and tumours of the lymph gland
• Clinical and translational research in haematological cancers
• Training the next generation of lymphoma clinical trials specialists
• Biomarker research for treatment monitoring and early relapse detection

What They Don't Fund

• Researchers or projects based outside the UK
• Applications from individuals not affiliated with UK-based hospitals or universities
• Projects unrelated to lymphoproliferative disorders

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

Paul Smith (Chairman) - Former Tumour Group Lead at the Haematology Trials Group at University College London until his retirement in 2016. Author of numerous publications about lymphoma. Trustee since 2017.

Professor Stephen Devereux - Consultant Haematologist at Kings College Hospital London. Trustee since May 2018.

Dr Christopher McNamara - Consultant Haematologist at University College London Hospital. Joined as trustee in 2022.

Dr Graham Collins - Joined as trustee in 2022.

Penny Clarke - Joined as trustee in 2023.

Michael Ainley - Joined as trustee in 2023.

Professor Jessica Okosun - Joined as trustee in 2023.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be sent to Tim Redding at tim.redding@nhs.net.

For Research Training Grants, applicants must provide:

• Statement of up to 500 words from the applicant detailing how the proposed attachment will contribute to their training or facilitate future research
• Statement of up to 500 words from the proposed supervisor accepting the applicant for training
• Costings with details of how the funding will be used

For Early Stage Research Grants, applicants should contact Tim Redding for specific requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Grants can only be made to researchers at UK-based hospitals and universities. Junior physicians are eligible for research training grants. The Trust particularly welcomes applications that will advance clinical trials research and translational research in lymphoproliferative disorders.

Decision Timeline

The Trust does not publish specific deadlines or decision timelines. Applications appear to be reviewed on a rolling basis by the trustees, who meet periodically throughout the year. Recent grants show awards being made in June, November, and December.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly disclosed. Given the small, specialist nature of the Trust, interested applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Redding to discuss their proposals before applying.

Application Success Factors

Focus on Clinical Trials: The Trust has a strong heritage supporting the British National Lymphoma Investigation and continues to prioritize clinical trials research. Applications that demonstrate how the research will contribute to well-designed clinical trials are likely to be well-received.

Support the CRUK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre: The Trust specifically supports Clinical Trials Research Fellows based within the Haematology Trials Group at the CRUK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre. Researchers affiliated with or collaborating with this centre may have an advantage.

Proof of Principle Approach: For early stage research grants, the Trust explicitly seeks “proof of principle” projects that will later seek further funding. Clearly articulating how the research will leverage additional funding increases competitiveness.

Training and Career Development: Research training grants should demonstrate how the training will facilitate the applicant's future research career in lymphoproliferative disorders. The Trust values building the next generation of clinical trials specialists.

Biomarker and Translational Research: Recent awards (such as Dr Barrett's TARC biomarker study) suggest the Trust values practical translational research that could improve patient monitoring and treatment decisions.

Clear Budget for Consumables: For early stage research, providing detailed costings for consumables demonstrates careful planning and maximizes the Trust's modest resources.

UK-Based Collaboration: All applicants must be at UK-based institutions. Demonstrating collaboration across UK centres or with the Lymphoma Trials Office at UCL strengthens applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Specialist Focus: This is a highly specialist funder dedicated solely to lymphoma and lymphoproliferative disorders research - applications outside this area will not be considered
• UK-Only: Absolute requirement for UK-based researchers at hospitals and universities - no international applications accepted
• Small but Strategic: With annual giving around £110,000, the Trust makes selective grants but can provide substantial three-year programme funding (as seen with the £583,227 clinical trials award)
• Emphasis on Clinical Trials: The Trust's heritage supporting BNLI and ongoing support for the CRUK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre means clinical trials research is central to their mission
• Contact Before Applying: With no published deadlines or formal application guidelines, contacting Tim Redding to discuss proposals before submitting is advisable
• Proof of Principle to Pipeline: For early stage research, clearly articulate how the project will lead to further funding and ultimately improve patient care
• Training the Next Generation: Research training grants specifically target junior physicians - senior researchers should focus on early stage research or programme grants instead

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE HOPE FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
• Blood Cancer UK Research
• Leukaemia UK
• Cancer Research UK
• Yorkshire Cancer Research
• The Rosemere Cancer Foundation
• J P Moulton Charitable Foundation
• Histiocytosis UK
• Azaylia Foundation
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register, THE CO-OPERATIVE CLINICAL CANCER THERAPY TRUST FUND, Charity Number 263424. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/263424 (Accessed: March 2026)

• Lymphoma Research Trust website. “About Us.” Available at: https://www.lymphoma-research-trust.org.uk/about-us/ (Accessed: March 2026)

• Lymphoma Research Trust website. “Applying for a Grant.” Available at: https://www.lymphoma-research-trust.org.uk/applying-for-a-grant/ (Accessed: March 2026)

• Lymphoma Research Trust website. “Trustees.” Available at: https://www.lymphoma-research-trust.org.uk/trustees/ (Accessed: March 2026)

• Lymphoma Research Trust website. “News.” Recent grant awards including December 2024 and June 2024 announcements. Available at: https://www.lymphoma-research-trust.org.uk/news/ (Accessed: March 2026)

• Charity Choice. “The Co-operative Clinical Cancer Therapy Trust Fund.” Financial information for years ending March 2023 and March 2024. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-co-operative-clinical-cancer-therapy-trust-fund-14021 (Accessed: March 2026)