The Douglas Bomford Trust

Charity Number: 1121785

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Ireland, Scotland

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £153,513 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months
  • Grant Range: £1,500 - £5,000+
  • Geographic Focus: UK-connected (nationality, residency, or place of learning)

Contact Details

Address: The Bullock Building, University Way, Cranfield, MK43 0GH

Phone: 01234 750876

Email: enquiries@dbt.org.uk

Website: www.dbt.org.uk

Trust Technical Secretary: David White

Trust Administrator: Chris Keeping

Overview

The Douglas Bomford Trust was established in 1972 by Betty Bomford in memory of her late husband Douglas Bomford, a pioneering figure in agricultural mechanization who served as President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers from 1955 to 1957. The Trust celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. With annual expenditure of approximately £154,000, the Trust advances knowledge, understanding, practice, competence and capability in the application of engineering and physical science to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, amenity and allied land-based and biological activities for the sustainable benefit of the environment and mankind. The Trust received a significant funding boost following the closure of the Silsoe Research Institute, allowing it to fund more research projects in recent years. The Trust is an active member of the AgriFood Charities Partnership (AFCP) and frequently collaborates with other funders on joint projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Awards Over £5,000 (including postgraduate research projects)

  • Amount: £5,000+
  • Application deadlines: 1 March and 1 October annually
  • Decisions communicated: End of May and November respectively
  • Application method: Email to enquiries@dbt.org.uk

2. Awards Under £5,000 (including individual travel awards)

  • Amount: £1,500 - £5,000
  • Application deadlines: 1 March and 1 October annually
  • Decisions communicated: End of May and November respectively
  • Application method: Email to enquiries@dbt.org.uk

3. Audrey Lamden Travel Award

  • Amount: Up to £5,000 annually
  • For individual or group travel designed to further education and learning in agricultural engineering
  • Established 2023 through bequest from the late Audrey Lamden
  • Application deadline: 31 October
  • Decision timeline: End of November
  • Travel period: Up to 31 March following year

4. Studentships for Undergraduates

  • Amount: Typically up to £1,500 for one year, higher payments possible in exceptional circumstances
  • Up to five scholarships may be awarded
  • Award based on merit of application, academic achievements, and interview
  • Payments typically in February and May

5. Student Group Visit Awards

  • Amount: Variable (typically within the £1,500-£5,000 range)
  • For group travel to acquire knowledge and professional development
  • Application deadlines: 1 March and 1 October annually

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects that advance:

  • Education, training, research and knowledge transfer in agricultural engineering
  • Innovation and the application of science and technology with respect to the design, development, evaluation and construction of machines, systems and techniques
  • Travel to acquire or disseminate knowledge in agricultural engineering
  • Development and maintenance of professional competencies
  • Development or acquisition of new skills, techniques and capabilities

Projects must have: “a substantial engineering content that is directly applicable to temperate agricultural production systems”

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects lacking substantial engineering content
  • Projects not directly applicable to temperate agricultural production systems
  • Proposals that don't comply directly with the Trust's objectives (these won't be considered or acknowledged due to high application volumes)
  • Applicants without UK connection through nationality, residency, or place of learning/registration
  • Organizations without charitable status (unless funding is for charitable purposes)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Chair: Mr Nick August
  • Vice Chair: Dr Mark Moore
  • Trustees: Mr Jonathan Bomford, Mr Clive Blacker, Mr John Baines, Prof Simon Pearson, Ms Rebecca Geraghty, Prof Jane Rickson, Ms Julia Lucas

Emeritus Trustees

  • Mr John Fox
  • Prof Paul Miller

Key Personnel

  • Trust Technical Secretary: David White
  • Trust Administrator: Chris Keeping

The Trust's governance document consists of a Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated on 29 August 2007 as amended by special resolution dated 8 November 2007. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via email to enquiries@dbt.org.uk with specific content requirements depending on the award category.

For Awards Over £5,000:

Applications should state clearly but briefly:

  • Expected outcomes/benefits considering both the Trust's objectives and personal development
  • How the project will be carried out with timescales
  • An outline budget including: course fees, stipend/living/travel, materials, contribution to overheads, staff and other costs
  • The main risks to successful completion
  • Details of the 'parent' organisation or institution
  • A brief CV for individual applicants

For Awards Under £5,000:

Applications should be more concise (maximum 2 pages recommended)

For Audrey Lamden Travel Award:

Applicants must submit:

  • Lead organizer details and CV
  • Visit details (place, time, duration)
  • Purpose and expected outcomes
  • Explanation of how the visit complies with Trust objectives
  • Post-travel reporting plans
  • Detailed itinerary
  • Comprehensive cost breakdown
  • Details of other funding sources

For Studentships:

Applications assessed on merit of submission, academic achievements, and interview

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadlines: 1 March and 1 October annually (31 October for Audrey Lamden Travel Award)
  • Decision communication: End of May and November (April/November mentioned in some sources)
  • Overall timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust notes that due to “the high volume of applications relative to available funding,” only proposals that comply directly with the Trust's objectives will be considered or acknowledged.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Applicants seeking clarification should contact the Trust directly at enquiries@dbt.org.uk.

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Looks For

Demonstrate Long-Term Commitment: The Trust requires applicants to “demonstrate a long-term commitment to the areas of concern to the Trust” and “demonstrate that all appropriate sources of funding are being pursued.”

Clear Outcomes: Applications must “indicate the benefits or outcomes that Trust funding will achieve both personally, and towards the overall objectives of the Trust” and “demonstrate the ability and intention to achieve those outcomes.”

Engineering Content: The Trustees “require that projects for which funding is being sought should have a substantial engineering content that is directly applicable to temperate agricultural production systems.”

Alignment with Objectives: "Only those proposals that comply directly with the Trust's objectives will be considered or acknowledged."

Recent Funded Project Example

Student Innovation (2024): Alan Mobbs, a 19-year-old agricultural engineering student at Harper Adams University, received a Douglas Bomford Trust Scholarship to support his ambition to design new and innovative equipment. He used the award toward a starting project of “designing, manufacturing and building a drone to be used on the family farm.” This demonstrates the Trust's interest in supporting practical innovation in agricultural technology.

Collaborative Funding Opportunities

The Trust frequently collaborates with other AFCP members and industry partners. Examples include:

  • Joint funding with The Morley Agricultural Foundation and Harper Adams University on controlled traffic research
  • Co-funding with The John Oldacre Trust on a PhD studentship on achieving Net Zero through farm level audits
  • Multi-funder scholarships with industry partners like Michelin, Vaderstad, and AGCO

Applicants pursuing multi-discipline collaborative proposals should highlight this in applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Engineering is essential: Every project must have “substantial engineering content” directly applicable to temperate agricultural production systems - this is non-negotiable
  • Demonstrate dual benefits: Show how funding achieves outcomes both personally/organizationally AND toward the Trust's overall objectives of advancing agricultural engineering
  • Prove commitment: Evidence long-term dedication to agricultural engineering, not just a one-off interest
  • Show you've done homework: Demonstrate that you're pursuing all appropriate funding sources, not relying solely on this Trust
  • Keep it focused and concise: Due to high application volumes, applications should be “clear but brief” - get to the point quickly
  • UK connection required: Ensure you can demonstrate UK connection through nationality, residency, or place of learning/registration
  • Consider collaboration: Multi-funder projects are common; explore opportunities with other AFCP members or industry partners
  • Two chances per year: With only two application deadlines annually, plan ahead and submit well-prepared applications

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