The Jean Shanks Foundation

Charity Number: 293108

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Variable by deadline (applications reviewed after April 1st and October 1st deadlines)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £200,000+ (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Great Britain and Ireland
  • Foundation Value: Approximately £30 million

Contact Details

Website: www.jeanshanksfoundation.org

Email: administrator@jeanshanksfoundation.org

Phone: 01491 628232

Postal Address: Jean Shanks Foundation, Peppard Cottage, Peppard Common, Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 5LB

Chairman: Eric Rothbarth (eric@rothbarth.com)

Overview

The Jean Shanks Foundation was established in 1986 by Dr. Jean Shanks following the flotation of JS Pathology PLC on the London Stock Exchange. Dr. Shanks, who for many years directed one of the UK's most successful independent pathology laboratories, died in 1999. The Foundation has grown substantially to approximately £30 million and has awarded over £10 million in medical research grants since its inception. The Foundation's mission is to advance and promote medical research, education and the dissemination of results, establishing and maintaining scholarship grants, fellowships, research grants and prizes. Since November 2017, the Foundation has strategically focused its efforts through a landmark partnership with The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, jointly committing £10 million over 10 years (until 2027, with payments continuing to 2030) to make “bigger and more effective grants to ensure the further development of pathology.” The Foundation is commemorated through an annual lecture at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Dr. Shanks' honor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates exclusively through its partnership with The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, offering five distinct funding streams:

1. JSPS Summer Studentships: Up to £1,000 (£200/week for max 5 weeks)

  • For Year 1-2 medical/dental students
  • Vacation-based pathology research projects
  • Rolling applications

2. JSPS Pre-Doctoral Research Bursaries: Up to £40,000

  • Duration: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
  • Covers salary and/or research expenses
  • Normally 4 bursaries awarded annually (2 per deadline)
  • Deadlines: April 1st and October 1st

3. JSPS Clinical Lecturer Support Grant: £50,000 per annum for 2 years (£100,000 total)

  • One award per year
  • Flexible funding for research technician/assistant and consumables
  • Deadline: April 1st

4. JSPS Clinical PhD Fellowship: 3-year funding

  • Covers salary, university fees, and up to £15,000 bench costs per year
  • Normally one fellowship per year
  • Deadline: October 1st

5. JSPS Clinician Scientist Award: Up to 5 years

  • Covers salary and up to £30,000 bench costs per year
  • Supports one research post
  • Deadline: October 1st

All applications processed online via www.pathsoc.org

Priority Areas

  • Pathology Research: All projects must have significant pathology research content, particularly tissue-based pathological research
  • Academic Pathology Development: Building capacity in academic pathology in UK and Ireland medical schools
  • Clinical Academic Careers: Supporting pathologists pursuing predominantly research-oriented academic careers
  • Early Career Researchers: Funding trainees and early-career pathologists in histopathology and tissue pathology specialties

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects without significant pathology research content
  • Financial hardship grants
  • Projects for postgraduate research degrees (Pre-Doctoral Bursary specifically excludes MD/PhD course funding)
  • Full economic costs or institutional overheads
  • Applicants outside Great Britain and Ireland
  • Non-members of The Pathological Society (for most programs)
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Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Eric Rothbarth oversees the Foundation's trustees

The Foundation operates under a trust deed and is registered as a UK charity (293108), regulated by the Charity Commission. All grants are made at the discretion of the Trustees.

The Foundation works in close partnership with The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Applications are reviewed by the Society's Research Subcommittee, which includes Jean Shanks Foundation nominees and external referees, ensuring rigorous peer review.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online via The Pathological Society website: www.pathsoc.org

Key Deadlines:

  • April 1st (noon): Pre-Doctoral Research Bursaries, Clinical Lecturer Support Grant
  • October 1st (noon): Pre-Doctoral Research Bursaries, Clinical PhD Fellowship, Clinician Scientist Award

Application Requirements vary by program but typically include:

  • Completed application form (Parts A, B, C as applicable)
  • Research proposal
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Mentor/supervisor support letter and CV
  • Head of Department signature (Part B)
  • NHS agreement letter (for Clinician Scientist Award if 40-50% clinical time)

Decision Timeline

Applications undergo peer review by the Research Subcommittee with external referees. According to the Foundation, “Applicants will be advised of a decision as soon as practicable after the deadline date.” Specific timelines are not disclosed, but candidates may be requested to provide further information during the review process and may be invited for interview (particularly for Clinician Scientist Awards).

All applicants receive notification by letter (usually via email). Successful applicants can typically take up fellowships within twelve months of the award offer.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received. The website notes that “feedback to unsuccessful candidates will be given on request, by e-mail, if and only if, the volume of applications is manageable,” suggesting substantial competition.

Based on disclosed awards:

  • Pre-Doctoral Bursaries: Normally up to 4 per year (2 per deadline)
  • Clinical Lecturer Support Grant: 1 per year
  • Clinical PhD Fellowship: Normally 1 per year
  • Clinician Scientist Award: Number not specified

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies vary by program:

  • Pre-Doctoral Bursary: Recipients cannot receive a second bursary
  • Clinician Scientist Award: Two-year review with potential award modification if progress is unsatisfactory
  • Unsuccessful applicants: Can request feedback, but no explicit waiting period stated

Application Success Factors

Membership Requirements

Most programs require membership in The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland:

  • Pre-Doctoral Bursary: Trainee member
  • Clinical Lecturer Support Grant: 2+ years membership
  • Clinician Scientist Award: 3+ years membership
  • Clinical PhD Fellowship: Trainee member

Plan ahead: Join the Society well before applying.

Career Stage Precision

Each program has specific career stage requirements. For example:

  • Clinical Lecturer Support Grant: PhD/MD completed within preceding 5 years
  • Clinician Scientist Award: Within first 5 years of consultant status, must have passed FRCPath Part II

Research Quality and Relevance

Selection criteria emphasize:

  • Scientific quality and originality: Research must be novel and ambitious
  • Pathology relevance: “Significant pathology research content” is mandatory
  • Applicant potential: Demonstrating skills to act as Principal Investigator/Research Group Leader (for senior awards)
  • Research environment: Quality of institution and mentorship
  • Academic achievements: Track record appropriate to career stage

Institutional and Mentor Support

Applications require:

  • Head of Department sign-off
  • Mentor support letter and CV
  • For Clinical Lecturer Grant: “Requires mentor support letter”
  • Strong mentorship and institutional backing are critical

Compliance and Reporting

The Foundation takes reporting seriously:

  • “Failure to provide a report will preclude future support”
  • Annual reports required for multi-year awards
  • Must acknowledge Society's sponsorship in publications
  • Expected to present research at Society meetings
  • Must attend national research scheme progress review meetings

Timing and Flexibility

The Foundation values flexibility:

  • Part-time funding options available
  • Allowances for maternity/paternity leave
  • Can take up fellowship within 12 months of offer
  • “The Society will normally withdraw funding if the award is not acknowledged and started within 12 months of the offer”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Pathology focus is non-negotiable: Every project must demonstrate “significant pathology research content,” particularly tissue-based pathology. Don't apply without this core element.
  1. Society membership is essential: Most programs require Pathological Society membership for 2-3 years. Join early and engage with the Society through meetings and conferences.
  1. Strategic partnership matters: The 2017 shift to focus on the Pathological Society partnership means the Foundation seeks projects that advance academic pathology capacity in UK and Ireland medical schools. Frame your application in these terms.
  1. Career stage alignment is critical: Each program targets specific career stages with precise eligibility criteria. Apply to the right program at the right time.
  1. Plan for deadlines: With only 1-2 annual deadlines per program, missing a deadline means waiting 6-12 months. Prepare applications well in advance.
  1. Demonstrate research independence and ambition: For senior awards, show capability to lead as Principal Investigator. Projects should be “of sufficient ambition to challenge the applicant” and represent “a clearly demonstrable progression” of research work.
  1. Reporting compliance opens future doors: The Foundation explicitly states failure to report precludes future support. Treat reporting requirements seriously to maintain access to this valuable funding source.

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