The James Weir Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £330,912 (2023)
• Total Income: £340,061 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 per speciality (for research grants)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with preference for Scottish institutions

Contact Details

Address: Gloucester House, 72 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1NS

Phone: 01727 869141

Website: www.jamesweirfoundation.org

Overview

The James Weir Foundation was established in January 1967 by James George Weir, a Scottish industrialist and early aviator committed to philanthropy. The foundation was created to promote growth and excellence in high-quality institutions and to support advancement in engineering, medicine, and education. With total income of £340,061 as of December 2023 and annual grant expenditure of £330,912, the foundation has maintained a 58-year partnership with institutions such as the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The founder was a proud Scot who particularly wished to support constructive Scottish institutions and their causes, emphasising "aerodynamic engineering and Scottish thinkers' tradition of empiric analysis."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

James Weir Foundation Research Grants (in partnership with Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh):

• Amount: Up to £10,000 per speciality area
• Eligible Specialties: General Surgery, ENT Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry
• James Weir Scottish Research Grant: Available for all surgical and dental specialties for research conducted in Scotland
• Eligibility: UK and International Members who are trainees or within 5 years of consultancy appointment
• Application Method: Online portal at https://rcsed.grantplatform.com/
• Typical Timeline: Applications typically close in early November

Priority Areas

The foundation supports:

• Education and training
• Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Engineering research and innovation
• Support for people with disabilities
• Health and well-being initiatives
• Scottish institutions and causes
• High-quality research promoting innovative thinking

Beneficiaries Supported

The foundation funds organisations serving: carers, economically/socially disadvantaged individuals, families, people with mental health conditions, older people, those with ill-health, people with learning disabilities, people with physical disabilities, people with sensory impairments, local communities, and veterans & armed forces personnel.

Ready to write a winning application for The James Weir Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Edward Weir

Trustees: The foundation is governed by 5 trustees (names include Simon Bonham, Elizabeth Bonham, and William Ducas). No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity.

Leadership Quote: Edward Weir, Foundation Chairman, stated: "The trustees firmly believe that the five chosen areas closely align with the founder's vision to support improvements in health."

How to Apply to The James Weir Foundation

How to Apply

Research Grants Programme: The James Weir Foundation Research Grants programme (in partnership with Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) accepts applications through a specific portal:

• Application Platform: https://rcsed.grantplatform.com/
• Typical Timeline: Applications typically close in early November
• Eligibility: UK and International Members who are trainees or within 5 years of consultancy appointment conducting research in General Surgery, ENT Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry, or Scottish surgical/dental research

For information about other funding opportunities, contact the foundation directly through their website.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are communicated through the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh portal for research grants.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

For Research Grants Programme:

Based on the foundation's stated values and the chairman's guidance:

1. Alignment with Founder's Vision: Edward Weir emphasised that chosen research areas must "closely align with the founder's vision to support improvements in health." Applications should demonstrate clear health improvement outcomes.

1. Scottish Connection: While UK and international applicants are eligible, the foundation has a particular interest in Scottish institutions and research conducted in Scotland (note the separate Scottish Research Grant category).

1. Innovation and Quality: The foundation states it “particularly wished to encourage innovative thinking and high quality research.” Applications should emphasise novel approaches and rigorous methodology.

1. Engineering Principles: The founder valued "aerodynamic engineering and Scottish thinkers' tradition of empiric analysis“ and ”fundamental science and engineering principles." Research proposals that incorporate systematic, evidence-based approaches aligned with these principles may be viewed favourably.

1. Institutional Excellence: The foundation seeks to “promote growth and excellence in high quality institutions.” Demonstrating institutional support and excellence in your field strengthens applications.

1. Early-Career Focus: The research grants specifically target trainees or those within 5 years of consultancy appointment, suggesting the foundation values supporting emerging talent.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Research Grants Programme: The partnership with Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offers opportunities for eligible surgical and dental researchers through a competitive application process
• Scottish Preference: While not exclusive, the foundation has a strong historical preference for Scottish institutions and research conducted in Scotland
• Scientific Rigour: Applications should emphasise empirical analysis, fundamental science, and engineering principles in line with the founder's values
• Health Improvement Focus: Successful research proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with health improvement outcomes
• Partnership Approach: The foundation operates through long-term institutional partnerships (e.g., 58 years with RCSEd) rather than ad-hoc grant-making
• Early Career Support: Research grants target trainees and those within 5 years of consultancy, supporting emerging talent in surgical and dental fields
• Application Portal: Research grant applications must be submitted through the official portal at https://rcsed.grantplatform.com/

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Welsh Government
• Ako Foundation
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• The Education Endowment Foundation
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• Royal Commission For The Exhibition Of 1851
• Charity Of Sir Richard Whittington
• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• The Zochonis Charitable Trust
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Medlock Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• The Adrian Swire Charitable Trust
• Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
• The Hiscox Foundation
• The Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust
• Sir John Priestman Charity Trust
• The Royal Academy Of Engineering
• Give Out

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. (2025). “THE JAMES WEIR FOUNDATION - Charity 251764.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=251764&subid=0

• The James Weir Foundation. (2025). Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.jamesweirfoundation.org/

• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (2025). “Launch of the James Weir Foundation Research Grants.” Retrieved from https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/news-resources/rcsed-news/2025/september/launch-of-the-james-weir-foundation-research-grants/

• Funding Scotland. (2025). “James Weir Foundation.” Retrieved from https://funding.scot/funders/001b000000St0StAAJ/james-weir-foundation

• Find that Charity. (2025). “The James Weir Foundation - GB-CHC-251764.” Retrieved from https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-251764