The Foulkes Foundation

Charity Number: 265166

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £142,236 (year ending April 2025)
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive (approximately 6-8 fellowships awarded annually)
  • Decision Time: Applications close 15th March, decisions by summer
  • Fellowship Range: Variable based on individual circumstances (covers personal maintenance only)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based study (fellows from any country eligible)
  • Duration: Up to 3 years

Contact Details

Website: www.foulkes-foundation.org

Email: registrar@foulkes-foundation.org

Phone: 020 8444 2526

Address: The Registrar, Foulkes Foundation Fellowship, 37 Ringwood Avenue, London N2 9NT

Overview

The Foulkes Foundation was established in 1972 by Dr. Ernest Foulkes to address a critical gap in medical research training. The Foundation provides fellowships to exceptional post-doctoral scientists who need a medical degree to pursue medical research careers. Since awarding its first fellowship in 1975, the Foundation has supported 306 Fellows in the UK over 48 years and nearly 200 Fellows in Israel (since expanding there in 1982). The Foundation's strategic approach is “investing in people, not projects,” with the goal of helping outstanding scientists become the research leaders of the future. Fellows have achieved remarkable success, including positions as Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, recipients of the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine, and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. The Foundation also awards the biennial Academy of Medical Sciences Foulkes Foundation Medal (£1,500) and the triennial Senta Foulkes Research Prize (up to £2,500) for Israeli branch fellows.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Foulkes Foundation Fellowships (UK)

  • Amount: Variable, based on individual circumstances
  • Duration: Up to 3 years
  • Coverage: Personal maintenance only (does NOT cover tuition fees, salaries, or research grants)
  • Application method: Annual deadline (15th March)
  • Supports: 6-8 outstanding scientists annually in the UK; 11 UK Fellows and 16 Israeli Fellows were active as of April 2023

Foulkes Foundation Academy of Medical Sciences Medal

  • Amount: £1,500 cash prize
  • Frequency: Awarded biennially (every two years) since 2007
  • Application method: Nomination-based (through Academy Fellows)
  • Eligibility: Post-doctoral researchers typically within 10 years of PhD, with UK research connection

Senta Foulkes Research Prize (Israeli Branch Only)

  • Amount: Up to £2,500
  • Frequency: Awarded every 3 years
  • Eligibility: Past Fellows of the Israeli branch who show excellence in research and academic achievements, with priority for doctors actively involved in medical practice

Priority Areas

Eligible Candidates:

  • Post-doctoral scientists (PhD holders) wishing to study medicine in the UK
  • Medical graduates currently undertaking research for a PhD (exceptional circumstances)
  • Preference for candidates from:
  • Biomedical sciences
  • Physical sciences
  • Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Computer science backgrounds
  • All applicants must intend to contribute to medical research
  • Must have a firm place to study medicine at a UK university
  • Main selection criterion: Academic excellence

Research Areas:

Fellows work across every branch of medical science, with recent fellows specializing in:

  • Developmental neurobiology (spina bifida research)
  • Prenatal testing and genetics
  • Cardiothoracic and transplant surgery
  • Sexual and reproductive health
  • Disability and employment research
  • Cancer genomics and personalized medicine
  • Stem cell biology and leukaemia
  • Immunology and single-cell genomics

What They Don't Fund

  • Tuition fees for medical school
  • Research salaries
  • Research grants or project costs
  • Only maintenance/living costs are covered
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Maureen Foulkes-Hajdu - Executive Chairman, founding trustee and daughter of Dr. Ernest Foulkes. Worked in marketing, academia, and as Registrar at London Business School. Awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of London (1998).
  • Georgina Benton - Registrar and granddaughter of the founder. BSc in Geography, Masters in International Business. Background in banking and conference industry, now supports charities.
  • Sir Walter Bodmer - Oxford University geneticist who contributed to HLA system discovery. Knighted in 1986. Former Director of Research at Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
  • Nick Hajdu - Grandson of the founder. Digital marketing background, founded content agency, now works on climate crisis campaigns.
  • Andrew Hall - Secretary, Sarasin & Partners. Banker and investment manager with experience at Barclays, Royal Trust, and Sarasin Investment Management.
  • Professor Muzlifah Haniffa - Newcastle University & Wellcome Sanger Institute. Dermatologist and immunologist pioneering single-cell genomics. Winner of the 2019 Foulkes Foundation Academy of Medical Sciences Medal.
  • Professor Sir Alex Markham - University of Leeds. 1980 Foulkes Fellow, chemist and molecular geneticist. Former Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK. Knighted for services to medicine and healthcare.
  • Professor Colin Self - University of Newcastle upon Tyne. 1977 Foulkes Fellow with expertise in clinical biochemistry and therapeutic antibody development.

Key Philosophy:

Dr. Ernest Foulkes recognized that “many young, post-doctoral scientists who wished to embark on medical research faced financial difficulties if they decided to return to university.” The Foundation addresses this barrier by providing targeted financial support for personal maintenance.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method:

  • Contact the Registrar to request an application form
  • Submit completed application by post in four copies
  • Applications must be sent to: The Registrar, Foulkes Foundation Fellowship, 37 Ringwood Avenue, London N2 9NT
  • Applications also accepted via email: registrar@foulkes-foundation.org

Pre-Requisites:

  • Must have completed PhD
  • Must have secured a firm place to study medicine in the UK before applying
  • Must be able to demonstrate intent to contribute to medical research

Selection Process:

  • Initial review by Registrar and Executive Chairman
  • Applications assessed by an Advisory Board
  • Final approval by the Board of Trustees (who meet twice yearly)

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 15th March annually
  • Decision Period: By summer (Trustees meet twice yearly to approve fellowships)
  • Fellowship Start: Variable, aligned with medical school start dates

Success Rates

The Foundation is highly competitive:

  • Approximately 6-8 fellowships awarded annually out of a competitive applicant pool
  • 306 fellowships awarded over 48 years in the UK (average of 6.4 per year)
  • Selection emphasizes academic excellence as the primary criterion
  • Fellows consistently achieve senior positions, with a significant number becoming professors

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Contact the Registrar for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Academic Excellence is Paramount:

The Foundation explicitly states that “the main criterion for selection is academic excellence.” Your application should demonstrate outstanding academic achievement at PhD level and strong potential for medical research leadership.

Importance of the Fellowship Community:

Multiple fellows emphasize the value of joining the “Foulkes family.” As Shane Grealish (2015 Fellow) notes, “meeting other Fellows... gives you critical insights.” Anthony Rafferty (2015) adds that “being part of a growing Foulkes family is priceless.”

Career Impact and Long-term Vision:

Applicants should clearly articulate how a medical degree will advance their medical research career. The Foundation seeks scientists who will bridge scientific knowledge and clinical practice. As stated in their mission, they want fellows who can “direct scientific research toward medically important goals.”

Mature Students Welcome:

The Foundation has a history of supporting mature students. Andrew Kaye (1989 Fellow) reflected that the Fellowship “gave confidence as a mature medical student... financial stability.” Michael Maier (1985) similarly noted it helped with “confidence as a mature medical student.”

Financial Need Recognition:

While not explicitly stated as a criterion, applicants should clearly explain how financial barriers might prevent them from pursuing medical training. The Foundation was created specifically because Dr. Foulkes recognized that talented scientists faced “financial difficulties if they decided to return to university.”

Breadth of Scientific Backgrounds:

While biomedical sciences are preferred, the Foundation explicitly welcomes candidates from physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Diverse scientific backgrounds are valued for bringing new perspectives to medical research.

Fellow Testimonials on Application Advice:

  • Yolande Knight (2003) attended Foundation dinners and “met inspiring Foulkes Fellows... who gave sound career advice”
  • Matthew Hall (1996) emphasized that “regular contact with other Fellows has been a continual inspiration”
  • Neil Smart (1996) highlighted how the fellowship enabled “exciting research opportunities, international travel”

Recent Fellow Achievements as Examples:

Recent fellows have pioneered:

  • Non-invasive prenatal testing (Professors Dame Lyn Chitty and Dennis Lo)
  • Spina bifida prevention research (Professor Andrew Copp)
  • Heart and lung transplantation (Professor Kumud Dhital)
  • Cancer genomics and personalized treatments (Professor Serena Nik-Zainal, 2021 Medal winner)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Academic excellence is the decisive factor - ensure your application showcases exceptional PhD-level achievement and research potential
  • Secure your medical school place first - you must have a firm offer from a UK medical school before applying
  • Emphasize your unique scientific perspective - explain how your scientific background (especially if from physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science) will enhance medical research
  • Articulate long-term vision - clearly demonstrate how medical training will enable you to become a research leader who bridges science and clinical practice
  • Fellowship amount is individualized - be prepared to discuss your specific financial circumstances, as funding is tailored to personal maintenance needs
  • Join the community - if awarded, engage actively with the Foulkes Fellows network for career insights and support
  • Application is postal - prepare four hard copies of your complete application and submit well before the 15th March deadline

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