The Evolution Education Trust

Charity Number: 1137520

Annual Expenditure: £1.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,070,990 (2023-24)
  • Total Allocated Since 2010: £24M
  • Projects Funded: 93
  • Unlocked Income for Grantees: £92M
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based organizations and researchers
  • Application Method: Proactive only - unsolicited applications not accepted

Contact Details

Website: www.eetrust.org

Email: info@eetrust.org

Phone: 01223 620072

Address: 66 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH

Important Note: The Evolution Education Trust is unable to accept unsolicited requests for funding. Their small team proactively seeks organizations with strong leadership teams that share their ambitions.

Overview

Founded in 2010 by Dr. Jonathan Milner (founder of Abcam plc), the Evolution Education Trust has allocated over £24 million to advance the understanding and application of evolutionary science. As of March 2024, the trust reported an annual income of £3,048,466 and charitable expenditure of £1,070,990. The trust's mission is to fund the use of evolutionary science in research, interventions, education and outreach. EET provides seed grants, support, and credibility to UK-based organizations, project teams, and early-career researchers, focusing on building proof-of-concept data and organizational capacity that helps grantees unlock future funding. Notable achievements include being the founding funder of Sir David Attenborough's documentary 'A Life on our Planet', which won three Emmy Awards and had the widest-ever cinema release for a UK documentary.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Focus Areas

Life-Sciences Education and Research

  • Evolution, biodiversity, and life-science education for less-advantaged pupils
  • Doctoral funding for fundamental research in evolutionary biology and genetics
  • Research into effective evolution teaching and outreach methods

Nature Conservation

  • Local conservation efforts in the Global South through the Whitley Fund for Nature partnership
  • Science-based, socially-just environmental solutions
  • Support for conservation leaders across 80 countries

Human Health and Therapeutics

  • Projects applying evolutionary theory to health challenges
  • Development of better health policies and medical treatments

Grant Programs

EvoEd Challenge Fund

  • Launched autumn 2022, projects ran through spring 2024
  • Five grants awarded to improve evolution and biodiversity education for less-advantaged pupils
  • Includes shared learning and knowledge development programme stewarded by the British Science Association

Doctoral Studentships (in partnership with University of Bath)

  • Funding for up to 3.5 years
  • Includes home tuition fees plus £18,622 annual maintenance (2023/24 rate)
  • Generous budget for research, training, and outreach activities
  • Based at the Milner Centre for Evolution

Seed Grants

  • Focus on building proof-of-concept data
  • Support organizational capacity development
  • Specific amounts not publicly disclosed

What They Fund

  • Early-stage projects applying evolutionary theory to complex problems
  • Organizations with strong leadership teams
  • Projects that improve public understanding of the Theory of Evolution
  • Initiatives addressing challenges in nature conservation and human health
  • Programs improving STEM education access for disadvantaged students

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications (they proactively identify potential grantees)
  • Organizations outside the UK (with exception of Global South conservation through partnerships)
  • Projects not aligned with evolutionary science applications
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Governance and Leadership

Dr. Jonathan Milner - Chair and Founder

  • Founded Abcam plc
  • Graduated in Biology & Biochemistry from Bath in 1988
  • Invested in over 80 companies
  • Co-founded Milner Therapeutics Institute and Milner Centre for Evolution
  • Donated £5 million to establish the Milner Centre for Evolution at University of Bath

Key Quote from Dr. Milner: "Evolution is the foundation of modern biology and something I'm really passionate about. It is too important to keep just for the academic community – I feel it's a moral responsibility for scientists to share our knowledge with the rest of the world. Evolution is not just about the history of life on Earth but about us, and how we came to be as we are, touching on issues of philosophy as much as biology. Applied evolutionary research can help us develop better health policies, advance medical treatments, and even improve public health messaging."

Michael Magnay - Trustee and Finance Director

  • Experienced fund manager
  • Board member since 2010
  • Previously a Trustee and Board member of Cambridge Arts Theatre for six years
  • Designs investment strategies for individuals, charities, and trusts

Dr. Chris Lennard - Advisor

  • Former CEO of EET (2017-2023)
  • Background in electronic engineering and business
  • Focus on entrepreneurial thinking and early-stage funding models

The trust has 3 trustees and 1 employee. No trustees receive remuneration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Information: The Evolution Education Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Their small team proactively seeks organizations with strong leadership teams that share their ambitions and operate within their areas of interest.

Alternative Approach: Building Visibility

While direct applications are not accepted, organizations can:

  • Build visibility in the evolutionary science, conservation, or life-sciences education sectors
  • Develop strong leadership teams and demonstrable impact
  • Establish connections through mutual contacts or the EET Partner Network
  • Send a well-tailored letter of introduction demonstrating excellent alignment with EET's values and interests
  • Highlight where your organization's interests, values, or approaches align with EET priorities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to proactive selection process. The trust builds long-term strategic relationships with multi-year gift recipients.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust proactively identifies and approaches potential grantees rather than reviewing applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Successful Partnership

Based on funded projects and stated priorities:

1. Strong Leadership Teams

The trust explicitly seeks “organisations with strong leadership teams that share our ambitions.”

2. Proof-of-Concept Potential

EET funding focuses on “building proof-of-concept data and organisational capacity” that enables grantees to access future funding streams.

3. Strategic Alignment

Projects must apply evolutionary theory to address complex problems in life sciences, conservation, or human health.

4. Multiplier Effect

The trust has unlocked £92M in future funding for grantees with £24M in seed grants - demonstrating their focus on catalytic funding that opens doors to other sources.

5. Focus on Less-Advantaged Groups

Particular emphasis on improving access and outcomes for disadvantaged students and communities.

Examples of Funded Projects

INVOLVE Programme (2017-2020) with Villiers Park Educational Trust

  • Scaled from 10 to 100 projects annually
  • Reached over 700 students and 14,000 wider beneficiaries
  • 90% of participants reported improved confidence and skills
  • 19% increase in A-level grades A*-B
  • 14% increase in students attending top universities

EvoEd Challenge Fund Recipients

  • Romy Rice (Milner Centre): Biodiversity education in Cabo Verde
  • Galapagos Conservation Trust: Outdoor educational programs evaluation
  • Villiers Park: Micro-interventions in life sciences education
  • Grow2Know: Garden project increasing nature connection
  • Cambridge Science Centre: Theory of Change and evaluation strategy development

Whitley Fund for Nature Partnership

  • EET seed funding helped increase WFN fundraising from £1.5M to £2M (with goal of £3M by 2025)
  • Created 22 regional and thematic learning hubs
  • Supports network of over 200 conservation leaders across 80 countries

Language and Terminology

The trust uses specific language that applicants should understand:

  • “Evolutionary theory” and “evolutionary science” as frameworks
  • “Proof-of-concept data”
  • “Organizational capacity”
  • “Unlocking future funding”
  • “Strategic relationships”
  • “Partner Network”
  • “Seed grants”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Proactive Funding Model: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Focus on building organizational visibility, reputation, and demonstrable impact in evolutionary science, life-sciences education, or conservation rather than preparing a traditional application.
  1. Strategic Relationship Focus: EET builds long-term partnerships with organizations, not one-off grants. They seek multi-year relationships with strong leadership teams that can scale impact.
  1. Catalytic Funding Approach: The trust's strategy centers on seed funding that unlocks significantly larger future funding (£92M unlocked from £24M invested). Demonstrate how initial support could lead to sustainable income streams.
  1. Evolutionary Science Framework Required: All funded work must apply evolutionary theory to address complex problems. This is non-negotiable - ensure your work genuinely uses evolutionary science principles.
  1. Partner Network Access: Becoming part of the EET Partner Network provides access to expertise, connections, and collaborative opportunities. Major multi-year gift recipients join this network.
  1. Evidence of Impact on Disadvantaged Groups: Strong emphasis on improving access and outcomes for less-advantaged students and communities, particularly in STEM education.
  1. Build Connections: If seeking EET support, identify mutual contacts who can make introductions, or craft a highly-tailored letter of introduction demonstrating exceptional alignment with their mission and values.

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