The Jgw Patterson Foundation

Charity Number: 1094086

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: Cumbria, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne City, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland ... [3 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £950,000 - £1,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (two quarterly meetings)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £50,000 per annum
  • Geographic Focus: Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, and Cumbria

Contact Details

Website: jgwpattersonfoundation.co.uk

Email: pippa.aitken@sintons.co.uk

Phone: 0191 226 7878

Address: The Cube, Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 6DB

Company Secretary: Pippa Aitken, Sintons Law Solicitors

Overview

The JGW Patterson Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, established in 2002 from the estate of the late John George William Patterson, a philanthropist from Jesmond, Newcastle. Mr. Patterson bequeathed his entire portfolio of commercial and residential properties to the Foundation with the express wish that ongoing income would benefit Newcastle by funding life-changing medical research. The Foundation has total annual income of approximately £980,000 (2023) and distributes similar amounts in grants. It is the 15th largest single funder of grant awards to Newcastle University since 2001 and the 7th largest charity funder to the university. The Foundation focuses exclusively on funding research into cancer, arthritis, and rheumatology, as well as purchasing equipment and caring services for the relief of these conditions within the North East England region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Pump Priming Projects (up to £50,000 per annum)

Typically awarded to specific individuals undertaking specific projects to acquire sufficient data to subsequently apply for project grant or fellowship funding from national grant awarding bodies. These grants help early-career researchers establish preliminary results to strengthen applications to larger funders.

Fellowships (up to £30,000 per annum for up to 2 years)

Support clinical and laboratory research to acquire detailed understanding of life-changing diseases, improve treatment, and promote best practice. Maximum of one fellowship awarded per annum to each designated research area (cancer and arthritis).

PhD Studentships (3 years, including tuition fees and living expenses)

Awards normally for 3 years including tuition fees in line with current national PhD remuneration rates. The Foundation offers two arthritis studentships and two cancer studentships to encourage the best young graduates to develop research careers.

Bridging Funding (up to 6 months)

For senior academics (lecturer or above) who require financial support between grant applications to retain essential laboratory staff. Applicants must have an established research track record and be critical members of an academic team. Not appropriate beyond 6 months.

Small Grants (variable amounts)

In line with the Foundation's policy of flexibility, small grants may be awarded for purposes which do not easily fit into other categories. Subject to Trustee approval and seen as “one off” awards.

Equipment and Care Services Grants

Applications from charities and hospices for equipment and/or caring services relating to cancer and/or arthritis relief, where equipment is not normally provided by Local Health Authorities.

Priority Areas

  • Cancer research (61% of 2017 grants)
  • Rheumatology and arthritis research (32% of 2017 grants)
  • Equipment for cancer and arthritis care
  • Caring services for patients with cancer, arthritis, and rheumatological conditions
  • Early career researcher development
  • Musculoskeletal research

What They Don't Fund

  • Buildings or refurbishment
  • Equipment (except where linked to a defined project or fellowship)
  • Travel expenses (except where linked to a defined project or fellowship)
  • Infrastructure costs of academic units (e.g., secretarial support)
  • Programme grant funding
  • Administrative on-costs/Full Economic Costs of host institutions
  • Projects outside Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, and Cumbria
  • Research areas outside cancer, arthritis, and rheumatology
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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet quarterly. The Company Secretary, Pippa Aitken, a Senior Associate in the Company and Commercial Department at Sintons Law Solicitors specializing in Intellectual Property, has stated that "it was Mr. Patterson's wish that ongoing income from his property portfolio would be used for the benefit of Newcastle, namely to fund life-changing medical research."

The Foundation operates with a clear governance structure where all trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. Directors include senior medical research professionals with expertise in the Foundation's priority areas.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trustees hold quarterly meetings usually in February, May, September, and November. Completed applications must be received at least one month prior to a quarterly meeting. All academic grant applications are subject to peer review.

Application process:

  1. Submit application at least one month before the next quarterly meeting
  2. Applications are sent out for peer review
  3. Applications are discussed at the subsequent quarterly meeting (approximately 2-3 months after initial submission)
  4. All grants require approval by the Trust Board at their quarterly meeting

Applications should be submitted to the Company Secretary at pippa.aitken@sintons.co.uk.

Decision Timeline

8-12 weeks from submission to decision, as applications are reviewed at one quarterly meeting, sent for peer review, then discussed at the subsequent quarterly meeting. This two-meeting process ensures rigorous evaluation of all proposals.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation distributes approximately £950,000-£1,000,000 annually across multiple grant types, with Newcastle University receiving the majority of awards (£940,544 in 2017).

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Applicants are advised to contact the Foundation directly regarding reapplication after unsuccessful submissions.

Application Success Factors

Regional focus is paramount: The Foundation exclusively funds projects within Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, and Cumbria. Applications from outside this region will not be considered.

Established academic backing: The Foundation has a strong relationship with Newcastle University, which has been the main beneficiary in recent years. Institutional support and connection to regional research centers strengthens applications.

Clear pathway to major funding: Pump priming grants should demonstrate how preliminary data will support subsequent applications to national grant bodies. Show how Foundation funding fills a specific gap.

Retention of key personnel: Bridging funding should clearly demonstrate the criticality of laboratory staff being retained and how this supports ongoing research programs.

Avoid Full Economic Costs: As a charity, the Foundation will not pay administrative on-costs. Budget requests should focus on direct research costs only.

Peer review readiness: All applications undergo peer review. Ensure your application meets academic standards and clearly articulates scientific merit, methodology, and expected outcomes.

Early career development: The Foundation values supporting young researchers. Applications that demonstrate career development pathways and long-term research sustainability are viewed favorably.

Recent success example: The Foundation funded a 4-year PhD project starting in 2019 examining the role of asporin in musculoskeletal development and ageing, and their first grant recruited Dr. David Young to the Musculoskeletal Research Group at Newcastle University.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only applications from Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, and Cumbria will be considered. Do not apply if outside this region.
  • Plan ahead for timing: With quarterly meetings and two-stage review, allow 8-12 weeks from submission to decision. Submit well in advance of project start dates.
  • Demonstrate sustainability: Show how Foundation funding will lead to larger grants from national bodies or support critical transitions between major funding streams.
  • Connect to regional research infrastructure: Strong links to Newcastle University and other North East research institutions appear to strengthen applications.
  • Budget carefully: Exclude administrative overheads and Full Economic Costs. Focus on direct research expenses, personnel costs, and essential equipment.
  • Emphasize flexibility for small grants: If your project doesn't fit standard categories, highlight this in line with the Foundation's stated flexibility policy.
  • No buildings or infrastructure: Focus applications on research activities, personnel, and specific project-linked equipment or travel only.

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