The Elizabeth Casson Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £334,171 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-4 weeks (small grants up to £5,000); 11-12 weeks (large grants over £5,000)
• Grant Range: £150 - £100,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily United Kingdom, some international opportunities

Contact Details

• Website: www.elizabethcasson.org.uk
• Email: secretary@elizabethcasson.org.uk
• Phone: +44 1993 776593
• Online Application Portal: Available on website (launched March 2025)

Overview

The Elizabeth Casson Trust (Charity No. 227166) was established to honour the legacy of Dr. Elizabeth Casson (1881-1954), the pioneer who founded the first occupational therapy training school in the UK. The Trust's charitable purpose is “the furtherance of the profession of Occupational Therapy through education, training and research.” With an annual expenditure of approximately £334,171 (2024), the Trust provides grants ranging from £150 for short courses to £100,000 for major research projects. Operating with a strategic framework for 2020-2025, the Trust emphasizes becoming an “intentionally inclusive” organization through initiatives like the Focus on Fairness Observatory, which explores diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. The Trust is governed by a Board of 12 Trustees, with Samantha Shann MSc, PGCert, Dip COT (UK), FRCOT serving as incoming Chair.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Courses and Professional Development (Rolling applications)

• Amount: £150 - £5,000+
• Purpose: Funding for professional development courses, CPD training, specialist certifications
• Application Method: Online portal, year-round
• Examples: Teepa Snow Coaching Certificate (£1,058), UK Functional Capacity Evaluation course (£1,290), Rainbow Yoga Teacher Course (£390)

2. Conference Attendance (Application windows announced annually)

• Amount: £500 - £1,500 typical
• Purpose: Attendance at national and international occupational therapy conferences, summits, and symposia
• Application Method: Specific application windows
• Examples: International Spinal Cord Society Scientific Meeting (£659), Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference (£841)

3. Post-registration Master's Programmes

• Amount: £500 - £7,500
• Purpose: Funding for post-registration certificates, diplomas, and master's programmes
• Application Method: Online portal
• Examples: MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy (£2,485), MSc Educational Neuroscience (£7,400), MSc Advanced Practice modules (£580)

4. Doctoral Studies

• Amount: Up to £10,000+
• Purpose: Support for professional doctorates and PhDs in occupational therapy
• Application Method: Online portal, requires detailed proposal

5. International Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• Purpose: Funding to plan study tours abroad, support international professional development
• Application Method: Specific application windows

6. Innovation Awards

• Amount: Up to £10,000
• Purpose: Supporting innovative projects that advance occupational therapy practice
• Application Method: Online portal, year-round

7. Pump Primer Research Grants (Rolling applications)

• Amount: £500 - £10,000
• Purpose: Early-stage research support for writing proposals, conducting small-scale studies, buying specialist skills, or writing research papers
• Target: Early career researchers
• Application Method: Online portal, year-round

8. Annual Research Call

• Amount: £10,000 - £100,000
• Duration: Projects must be completed within 2 years
• Application Method: Annual deadline (e.g., June 2nd, 2025)
• Recent Awards: 2023 (£87,700 total), 2022 (£89,000), 2021 (£100,000 total), 2020 (£120,000 total)

9. International Development Award

• Amount: Varies
• Purpose: Supporting occupational therapy development internationally
• Application Method: Specific application windows

10. Design Your Own Learning Events

• Amount: Varies
• Purpose: Funding for bespoke learning opportunities
• Application Method: Online portal, year-round

Priority Areas

• Professional Development: Supporting occupational therapists at all career stages to develop confidence, capability, and leadership skills
• Evidence-Based Practice: Strengthening the evidence base for occupational therapy through high-quality research
• Inclusive Practice: Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession through the Focus on Fairness Observatory
• Innovation: Encouraging pioneering approaches and risk-taking in occupational therapy practice
• Research Translation: Supporting projects that translate research evidence into practice
• International Development: Advancing occupational therapy globally through scholarships and presenter funding (e.g., WFOT Congress 2026)
• Service Recipient Value: Projects that demonstrate clear value for service recipients

What They Don't Fund

• Institutional overhead costs for research projects
• Retrospective funding (activities already completed)
• Activities without clear connection to occupational therapy practice
• General organizational running costs
• Applications from individuals not qualified as occupational therapists (unless part of a collaborative research team)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (12 members)

Incoming Chair:

• Samantha Shann MSc, PGCert, Dip COT (UK), FRCOT

Recent Trustee Appointments (2025):

• Dr. Vimal Sriram
• Dr. Matumo Ramafikeng
• Charlie, Helen, and Phillip

Key Leadership Roles:

• Professor Jane Melton - Leads the Focus on Fairness Observatory (arms-length project)

The Trust values what it calls a “pioneering spirit” that embodies Elizabeth Casson's unique approach, valuing “tenacity, courage, and innovation.” According to their strategic intentions, the Trust emphasizes being “fair, balanced and considered in all of their interactions with others” and maintains “a fabric of fairness” running through their work.

The Trust has no paid staff members earning over £60,000, and trustees receive no remuneration or payments, ensuring funds are directed toward the charitable purpose.

How to Apply to The Elizabeth Casson Trust

How to Apply

Eligibility:

• Must be a graduate from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) approved programme
• Open to individual and group applications
• Applicants can work in any setting (NHS, private, self-employed, academic, voluntary sector)
• UK-based occupational therapists for most programmes; some international opportunities available

Application Portal:

• Online application system (launched March 2025)
• Allows saving and returning to applications in progress
• Accessible at www.elizabethcasson.org.uk

Required Elements:

• Detailed cost breakdown of requested funding
• Letter of support from line manager, supervisor, or academic supervisor
• Clear articulation of how the learning/research links to occupational therapy practice
• Demonstration of potential impact on the profession
• Commitment to share learning outcomes with the Trust and broader profession
• Evidence of personal contribution where possible (applicants encouraged to request only what they need)

Assessment Criteria:

Applications are reviewed against the Trust's strategic intentions, with emphasis on:

• Alignment with professional development and evidence-building
• Contribution to inclusive practice
• Innovation and pioneering approaches
• Clear objectives and measurable impact
• Value for service recipients and the profession

Decision-Making Structure:

• Grants up to £5,000: Decided by Assessment Panel
• Grants over £5,000: Require Board of Trustees approval

Decision Timeline

• Small Grants (up to £5,000): 3-4 weeks from submission
• Large Grants (over £5,000): 11-12 weeks from submission
• Pump Primer Research Grants: Reviewed on rolling basis
• Annual Research Call: Reviewed after annual deadline (allow 8-12 weeks post-deadline)

Notification Methods:

• Email notification via the online portal system
• The Trust “endeavours to let applicants know within one month” for most standard applications

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust emphasizes its aim to “support as many occupational therapists as possible” and encourages applicants to request only the funding they genuinely need and to make a personal contribution where possible, suggesting a commitment to distributing funds widely.

Recent research awards indicate competitive selection:

• 2023: 2 awards from annual call
• 2022: 1 award from annual call
• 2021: 2 awards from annual call
• 2020: 2 awards from annual call

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publicly specify restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Given their rolling application windows for most programmes and emphasis on accessibility, unsuccessful applicants are likely able to reapply, particularly if they can strengthen their application based on feedback.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Impact on Occupational Therapy Practice

The Trust consistently emphasizes the importance of linking your proposal directly to occupational therapy practice and demonstrating potential impact. According to their guidance, successful applications:

• Use professional occupational therapy language and terminology
• Clearly articulate how learning or research will be applied in practice
• Show benefit to service recipients, professionals, and the profession as a whole

As one grant recipient stated about their MSc Advanced OT funding: “Undertaking the research methods module has given me a firm grounding...” demonstrating the practical application of learning.

Show Personal Investment and Realistic Budgeting

The Trust explicitly asks applicants to “make a personal contribution, where possible” and to “request only the amount of funding needed.” This suggests successful applications:

• Demonstrate co-funding or personal financial contribution
• Provide detailed, realistic cost breakdowns
• Request only essential costs, not “nice to haves”
• Show competitive pricing for research projects (institutional overhead costs are not covered)

Align with Strategic Priorities

Applications that connect to the Trust's 2020-2025 strategic intentions are favoured:

• Inclusive Practice: Projects addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion are particularly valued, especially those connecting to the Focus on Fairness Observatory
• Innovation and Risk-Taking: The Trust values “tenacity, courage and innovation” and wants to “stretch thinking about risk taking”
• Evidence Building: Research that strengthens the evidence base for occupational therapy is prioritized
• Career Stage Engagement: The Trust aims to engage OTs at all career stages, from early career to experienced practitioners

Commit to Sharing Learning

The Trust expects funded individuals to share their learning outcomes. Successful applications:

• Include plans for disseminating learning to the profession
• Show willingness to contribute case studies or testimonials
• Demonstrate how others will benefit from the funded activity

Grant recipients consistently provide case studies to the Trust, as evidenced by their extensive case study library covering courses, conferences, and master's programmes.

Secure Strong Managerial Support

Applications require a letter of support from your line manager, supervisor, or academic supervisor. This suggests:

• Organizational backing strengthens applications
• The Trust wants assurance you'll have time and support to complete the activity
• Employer/supervisor endorsement signals the value of the proposed development

Emphasize Service Recipient Value

For research applications particularly, the Trust prioritizes:

• Inclusive research involvement (engaging service users)
• High-quality evidence production
• Evidence translation into practice
• Building professional confidence and skills

Plan Ahead for Application Windows

While many programmes accept rolling applications, some have specific windows:

• International Scholarships and Conference Awards have set application periods
• Annual Research Call has fixed deadlines (e.g., June 2nd)
• All application windows close at 17:00 UK time
• Planning ahead ensures you don't miss opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Target Early Career and Innovation: The Trust particularly welcomes applications from early career researchers (pump primer grants) and innovative projects that demonstrate “pioneering spirit” - don't be afraid to propose bold ideas that advance the profession.

1. Emphasize the Inclusion Agenda: Given the Trust's significant investment in the Focus on Fairness Observatory and strategic commitment to becoming “intentionally inclusive,” applications that address diversity, equity, and inclusion in occupational therapy will be particularly competitive.

1. Keep Costs Realistic and Show Personal Investment: Request only what you genuinely need, provide detailed budgeting, and demonstrate personal or organizational co-funding where possible to show commitment and help the Trust support more occupational therapists.

1. Link Everything to OT Practice and Impact: Use professional occupational therapy language throughout, clearly articulate how your proposed activity will benefit service recipients and the profession, and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

1. Leverage the Rolling Application System: For courses, professional development, pump primer research, and innovation awards, take advantage of year-round applications rather than waiting for specific deadlines - apply when you need the funding.

1. Plan for Knowledge Sharing: Build dissemination plans into your application, showing how you'll share learning with the profession through case studies, presentations, publications, or training others - the Trust values generosity and meaningful learning networks.

1. Secure Strong Organizational Support: The required manager/supervisor letter isn't just a formality - strong institutional backing that confirms you'll have time, support, and opportunity to apply your learning strengthens your application significantly.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation
• The British Academy For The Promotion Of Historical Philosophical And Philological Studies
• British Orthopaedic Association
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
• The Rayne Foundation
• The Clothworkers' Foundation
• Allan And Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement
• The Rcn Foundation
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust

References

• Elizabeth Casson Trust official website: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust Funding page: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/funding/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust FAQs: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/faqs/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust Research page: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/your-development/research/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust Values & Strategic Intentions: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/values-strategic-intentions/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust About Us: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/about-us/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust Case Studies: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/about-us/case-studies/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust News & Announcements: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/news-announcements/
• Elizabeth Casson Trust Focus on Fairness Observatory: https://elizabethcasson.org.uk/support-development/focus-on-fairness-observatory/
• Charity Commission Register: The Elizabeth Casson Trust (227166): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=227166