The Houghton Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £106,884 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: October (annual awards)
• Grant Range: Up to £15,000 (Small Project Research Grants), up to £10,000 (Researcher Mobility)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based researchers (with some international collaboration)

Contact Details

• Website: www.houghtontrust.org.uk
• Phone: 01491875946
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Address: C J Dyke & Co, The Old Police Station, Priory Road, ST. IVES PE27 5BB

Overview

The Houghton Trust Limited (Charity Number 281834) is a specialized UK grant-making charity established to promote the extension of knowledge in the field of Avian Pathology. With an annual expenditure of approximately £107,000, the Trust focuses exclusively on supporting scientific research and experimentation related to the pathology of avian species, with particular reference to the UK. The Trust operates with 5 trustees and 12 volunteers, maintaining a lean structure focused on directly supporting researchers in this specialized field.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Project Research Grants: Up to £15,000 annually (awarded in October, deadline June 30th)
• Preference for “pump-priming” projects
• Year-by-year funding requiring annual reapplication

• Researcher Mobility Grants: Up to £10,000 (deadline June 30th)
• Supports short-term staff exchanges (maximum two months)
• Covers accommodation, travel, and consumables (not bench fees)

• Travel Grants: For young scientists (amounts not specified)

• Vacation Studentships: For student research projects (amounts not specified)

Priority Areas

• Research into diseases of poultry
• Avian pathology research
• Scientific research and experimentation in all matters related to avian species pathology
• Knowledge transfer and collaboration in avian disease research

What They Don't Fund

• Bench fees for researcher mobility grants
• Projects outside avian pathology
• Non-UK based research (unless part of UK collaboration)
• Multi-year guaranteed funding

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust operates with 5 trustees who receive no remuneration or payments from the charity. The organization maintains 12 volunteers and no paid employees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Small Project Research Grants: Download application form from website (SPRG-Application-Form-Nov-2025.docx)
• Application deadline: June 30th annually
• Awards announced: October each year
• Applications accepted on a rolling annual basis

Decision Timeline

• Submission deadline: June 30th
• Decision announcement: October
• Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

• Funding is provided year-by-year
• Previous recipients must reapply annually for continued funding
• No restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

• Focus on “pump-priming” projects that can demonstrate potential for future development
• Clear relevance to poultry diseases and avian pathology
• UK-based research or strong UK collaboration component
• For mobility grants: clear demonstration of knowledge transfer and collaboration benefits
• Detailed budget breakdown showing appropriate use of funds
• Strong scientific methodology relevant to avian disease research

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly specialized funder focusing exclusively on avian pathology research
• Competitive annual funding cycle with June 30th deadline
• Preference for seed funding that can lead to larger research projects
• Year-by-year funding model requires annual reapplication
• Trust may divide available funds among multiple applicants
• Exceptional circumstances may allow grants exceeding stated maximums
• Post-grant reporting requirements include 600-word final report with spending breakdown

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• British Society for Research on Ageing
• The Leverhulme Trust
• B E M B RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TRUST
• ANATOMICAL SOCIETY
• Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Limited
• The Frances and Augustus Newman Foundation
• Adelphi Genetics Forum
• John Innes Foundation
• Animal Defenders International Foundation (Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research)
• The Humane Research Trust

References

• The Houghton Trust official website (www.houghtontrust.org.uk) -
• The Houghton Trust research funding page (www.houghtontrust.org.uk/research) -
• The Houghton Trust researcher mobility grants page (www.houghtontrust.org.uk/researcher-mobility-grants) -
• Charity Commission Register (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk) - THE HOUGHTON TRUST LIMITED charity details -