The Kennedy Trust For Rheumatology Research
Charity Number: 260059
Contact Info
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £5,816,000 (charitable activities, FY 2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: 6-9 months (varies by program)
- Grant Range: £100,000 - £2,500,000
- Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (UK-based researchers and institutions)
Contact Details
- Website: www.kennedytrust.org
- Email: enquiries@kennedytrust.org / grants@kennedytrust.org
- Phone: 020 8834 1562
- Grant enquiries: grants@kennedytrust.org or submissions@kennedytrust.org (for specific programs)
Overview
The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research was registered as a charity in 1970 (charity number 260059) and is one of the UK's leading funders of research into rheumatic and related musculoskeletal, immunological and inflammatory diseases. With total income of £10.7 million (FY 2024) derived primarily from investments (£10.6m) and charitable expenditure of £5.8 million, the Trust provides sustainable, long-term funding for medical research. Since the Kennedy Institute moved to Oxford, the Trust has provided over £56 million in philanthropic funding to the institute. Under CEO Dr Stephen Simpson (appointed July 2022), the Trust has expanded its funding scope beyond the Kennedy Institute to support individual UK university-based researchers, focusing particularly on early-stage researchers and areas where other funding is not easily available.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Senior Research Fellowship: £1,500,000 - £2,500,000
- Five-year fellowships for promising independent researchers with proven track record of excellence
- Applications invited from eligible UK universities (not individuals)
- Opens October 2025, deadline January 2026, interviews April/May 2026, outcomes July 2026
- Fellows gain fast-track Global Talent Visa eligibility under “exceptional promise” category
Transition Fellowship: £500,000
- Up to 5 years for postdoctoral researchers to develop independent research careers
- Online expression of interest required, then full application
- Applications opened October 2024, expression of interest deadline 5th December 2024, application deadline 20th January 2025, interviews week of 12th May 2025, announcement by 4th July 2025
Research Ignition Awards: Up to £100,000
- 1-2 years for pump-priming innovative research
- Priority given to early and mid-career researchers
- Ten awards made annually following peer review
- Opens 28th March 2025, expression of interest deadline 25th April 2025, application deadline 16th June 2025, results by end of October 2025
- Rolling submissions via online portal
PhD Studentships: Various amounts
- Up to five PhD studentships annually
- MB-PhD programmes at partner institutions (Birmingham, Manchester, Oxford)
- Three-year fully funded programmes including tuition fees and stipend (£23,000-£26,000 per year)
- Advertised through partner institutions
Priority Areas
- Rheumatic diseases
- Musculoskeletal diseases
- Immunological diseases
- Inflammatory diseases
- Basic and translational research
- Early-career researcher development
- Areas where other funding is not easily available
- Strong individual researchers rather than projects alone
Recent funded research themes include:
- Osteoarthritic pain mechanisms
- Autoinflammation mechanisms
- Dietary bioactive molecules in arthritis
- VEXAS syndrome drug targets
- Carpal tunnel syndrome pathophysiology
- Next-generation microscopy for drug profiling
- Fibroblast function in rheumatic diseases
- Neuroimmune interactions in arthritis
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly listed, but the Trust focuses exclusively on:
- UK-based researchers at recognized UK research institutions
- Research with clear relevance to rheumatic, musculoskeletal, immunological, or inflammatory diseases
- Researchers without permanent academic positions (for Transition and Senior Research Fellowships)
Governance and Leadership
Trust President: Professor Sir Ravinder Maini
- Emeritus Professor of Rheumatology at Imperial College London
- Renowned for pioneering research on cytokines and anti-TNF therapy
Chair of Trustees: Professor Sir Stephen Holgate
- MRC Professor of Immunopharmacology at University of Southampton
- Expert in air pollutants and airway inflammation
Chief Executive Officer: Dr Stephen Simpson (appointed July 2022)
- Former Director of Research at Versus Arthritis
- Background in medical research and life sciences research funding
- Simpson stated that Trustees are “hugely supportive of the impressive scientific output of the Institute, through partnership of the Trust with Oxford University”
Board of Trustees includes:
- Christopher Coombe - Chartered accountant, former CFO of Fidelity International
- Professor Andrew Cope - Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology at King's College London
- Joe Cronly - Private equity investor with BC Partners
- Mark Dighero - Retired Allen & Overy partner specializing in corporate law
- Professor Paul Emery - Versus Arthritis Professor of Rheumatology at University of Leeds
- Dr Edith Hessel - Chief Scientific Officer at Relation Therapeutics
- Professor Tracy Hussell - Director of Immunology Institute at University of Manchester, Fellow of Academy of Medical Sciences
- Harsha Patel - 25+ years in investment management
- Professor Michael Patton - Medical genetics expert
- Dr Paul Peter Tak - Pharmaceutical executive
The Board demonstrates diverse expertise spanning medicine, finance, law, and scientific research, with strong representation from rheumatology and immunology leaders.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Two-stage process for most programs:
- Expression of Interest - Submit via online form on Kennedy Trust website
- Full Application - Download guidance notes and application form from website, complete and submit by deadline
Review Process:
- Independent Review Panel of expert scientists assesses applications
- Panel makes recommendations to Board through Research Committee
- International expert panel for Senior Research Fellowships
Contact for Questions:
- Transition Fellowship and Research Ignition Awards: grants@kennedytrust.org or submissions@kennedytrust.org
- General enquiries: enquiries@kennedytrust.org
Decision Timeline
Senior Research Fellowship:
- Applications open: October 2025
- Deadline: January 2026
- Interviews: April/May 2026
- Outcome: July 2026
- Total timeline: ~9 months
Transition Fellowship:
- Applications open: October 2024
- Expression of Interest deadline: December 2024
- Application deadline: January 2025
- Interviews: May 2025
- Outcome: July 2025
- Total timeline: ~9 months
Research Ignition Awards:
- Applications open: March 2025
- Expression of Interest deadline: April 2025
- Application deadline: June 2025
- Results: End of October 2025
- Total timeline: ~7 months
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust awards:
- Ten Research Ignition Awards annually
- One Senior Research Fellowship per competition (highly competitive)
- One Transition Fellowship per competition
- Up to five PhD studentships annually
Reapplication Policy
Reapplication policy not publicly stated. Applicants should contact grants@kennedytrust.org for guidance on unsuccessful applications and potential resubmission.
Application Success Factors
What the Trust Looks For
Research Excellence and Innovation:
- “Outstanding records of research accomplishment and innovation”
- “Innovative and ambitious avenues of research”
- Clear relevance to rheumatic, musculoskeletal, immunological, or inflammatory diseases
Individual Potential:
The Trust states: “Their priority is to focus on the funding of strong individuals, particularly early-stage researchers, working in the fields of musculoskeletal and related inflammatory diseases.”
Institutional Support:
- Clear demonstrated support from recognized host UK research institution
- For Senior Research Fellowships: “A strong desire to join a multi-disciplinary hub of academic excellence”
Funding Gap:
The Trust's mission emphasizes providing “support for basic and translational research into musculoskeletal and related inflammatory diseases, where we can make a clear difference and where other funding is not easily available.”
Collaborative Approach:
The Trust values “funding relationships built on open, ongoing dialogue with potential recipients around their ideas and scientific approach” - indicating they want engaged researchers who will communicate effectively.
Recent Funded Projects (2023 Research Ignition Awards)
Examples of successful projects demonstrate the breadth of research supported:
- Prof Fritzsche: Next-generation microscopy technology for drug profiling
- Prof Paul J. Lehner & Dr Christian Gawden-Bone (Cambridge): Identifying drug targets in VEXAS syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome project: Single-nucleus RNA sequencing to study connective tissue thickening
- Projects on osteoarthritic pain, autoinflammation mechanisms, and dietary bioactive molecules in arthritis
Tips for Standing Out
- Emphasize innovation and potential for impact in understudied or underfunded areas of rheumatology and musculoskeletal disease
- Demonstrate strong institutional backing and access to necessary research infrastructure
- Clearly articulate career development trajectory for fellowship applications, especially for early-career researchers
- Show how your research fills a funding gap that other funders may not address
- International collaborations are encouraged for Research Ignition Awards
- Submit expression of interest early to allow time for feedback before full application
- Contact the Trust with questions - they value dialogue and engagement
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Focus on the individual, not just the project - The Trust explicitly prioritizes funding “strong individuals” and their potential, particularly early-career researchers
- Target funding gaps - Emphasize areas “where other funding is not easily available” to align with Trust's strategic mission
- Plan ahead for long timelines - Application processes take 7-9 months from opening to final decision, so plan accordingly
- Prepare for competitive review - Independent international expert panels assess applications; ensure research excellence and innovation are clearly demonstrated
- Institutional support is critical - Clear backing from a recognized UK research institution is essential for all programs
- Engage early with the Trust - They value “open, ongoing dialogue” and encourage questions to grants@kennedytrust.org
- Consider career stage carefully - Different programs target different career stages; Transition Fellowships for postdocs, Senior Research Fellowships for proven independent researchers with no permanent position
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- Orthopaedic Research Uk
- Medical Research Foundation
- The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
- The Cadogan Charity
- The Nuffield Foundation
- The C M Lowe Charitable Trust
- The Hamer Charitable Trust
- The Joan Lynette Dalton Charitable Trust
- Edith Murphy Foundation
- The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust
References
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research official website - www.kennedytrust.org
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research - Transition Fellowship page: https://www.kennedytrust.org/tf/
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research - Research Ignition Awards page: https://www.kennedytrust.org/ria/
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research - Senior Research Fellowships page: https://www.kennedytrust.org/srf/
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research - Our Approach to Research: https://www.kennedytrust.org/research/
- The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research - Governance: https://www.kennedytrust.org/about-us/trustees/
- UK Charity Commission - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research (Charity 260059): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=260059&subid=0
- “2024/2025 funding calls announced” - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research: https://www.kennedytrust.org/2024-2025-funding-calls-announced/
- “Research Ignition Awards 2023: successful applicants announced” - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research: https://www.kennedytrust.org/research-ignition-awards-2023-successful-applicants-announced/
- “The Kennedy Trust welcomes its new CEO” - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research: https://www.kennedytrust.org/the-kennedy-trust-welcomes-its-new-ceo/
- “The Kennedy Trust welcomes four new Trustees” - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research: https://www.kennedytrust.org/2024-trustees/
- Wikipedia - The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kennedy_Trust_for_Rheumatology_Research