The Osteopathic Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £203,638 (latest reported expenditure)
• Grant Range: £500 - £20,000
• Decision Time: Approximately 8-12 weeks from deadline
• Application Cycle: Annual (typically mid-year)
• Geographic Focus: UK-focused with international comparative elements

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

• Email: enquiries@iosteopathy.org
• Phone: 01582 488455
• Address: The Institute of Osteopathy, 3 Park Terrace, Manor Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3HN
• Website: https://www.iosteopathy.org/about-the-io/the-osteopathic-foundation/

Grant Programme Contact:

• Manjeet Kaur, Project Manager, Osteopathic Foundation
• Email: Manjeet@iOsteopathy.org
• For questions or to discuss potential projects before applying

Overview

The Osteopathic Foundation (charity no. 313785) was founded in 1947 as the Osteopathic Education Foundation and has been supporting the osteopathic profession for over 70 years. In 2017, the Institute of Osteopathy officially accepted stewardship of the foundation, renaming it The Osteopathic Foundation. Since 2001, the foundation has provided over £1 million in support to advance osteopathic practice for the benefit of public health. Operating entirely on donations from the public and the osteopathic profession without government funding, the foundation's mission is to raise, administer and distribute funds in support of all aspects of osteopathic education, development and research. The foundation continues active grant-making, recently awarding nearly £58,000 to three innovative projects through its Open Grants Programme, alongside substantial student support grants totalling £36,800.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Open Grants Programme: £500 - £20,000

• Research projects advancing osteopathic evidence base
• Educational innovation and curriculum development
• Professional development initiatives
• Practice improvement projects
• Application method: Annual application deadline, typically early July

Student Grants: Variable amounts (typically up to several thousand pounds)

• Financial assistance for osteopathic students during their education
• Supporting students in financial need to complete their training
• Application process managed through osteopathic colleges

Priority Areas

Projects funded must demonstrate support for the foundation's charitable aims: “to advance osteopathic practice by funding education and research, and by promoting productive relationships both within and outside of the profession, for the benefit of public health.”

The foundation particularly values:

• Collaborative projects working in partnership with other organisations
• Innovative approaches that bring fresh perspectives to osteopathic practice
• Match funding demonstrating wider support and sustainability
• Broad professional benefit serving the osteopathic community widely
• Evidence-based research strengthening the profession's scientific foundation
• Educational modernisation aligning teaching with current evidence-based practices
• Workforce development supporting professional retention and career progression

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus on advancing osteopathic practice suggests they do not fund:

• Projects outside the osteopathic field
• Individual clinical practice establishment costs
• Overseas projects without UK benefit
• Commercial ventures or profit-making activities

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates under the stewardship of the Institute of Osteopathy, with a committee overseeing its grant-making activities. Committee members include Claire Piper, Helder Pinto, and Pilar Otero. According to Charity Commission records, no trustees receive remuneration, though one or more trustees receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity.

The foundation works closely with key stakeholders including:

• The National Council for Osteopathic Research (NCOR)
• Osteopathic educational institutions across the UK
• The Institute of Osteopathy membership body

How to Apply to The Osteopathic Foundation

How to Apply

Applications for the Open Grants Programme are submitted annually:

Application Process:

• Deadline typically early July each year
• Submit application via the Institute of Osteopathy website
• Applications are for grants of up to £20,000
• Decisions typically announced in September

Important Notes:

• If your study involves NHS sites in England, you must apply for Health Research Authority Approval
• Applicants should contact Manjeet Kaur to discuss potential projects before applying
• Check the website for current application cycle dates
• Applications typically open mid-year

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: Typically early July
• Decisions announced: Typically September (approximately 8-12 weeks from deadline)
• Total process: Plan for 2-3 months from application to decision

Competition and Success

The foundation makes multiple grants through its competitive Open Grants Programme. Recent grant rounds have awarded nearly £58,000 across three projects, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to supporting innovative osteopathic work. The programme is competitive, and applicants should ensure their proposals strongly align with the foundation's charitable aims.

Reapplication

Given the annual grant cycle and the foundation's encouragement to contact Manjeet Kaur to discuss potential projects, unsuccessful applicants are advised to seek feedback and consider reapplying in subsequent years with strengthened proposals.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funded projects and stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Alignment with Charitable Aims

Recent grant recipients exemplify this: NCOR's adverse events study (£20,000) directly addresses patient safety and evidence-based practice; UCO's OsMoSys Project (£20,000) modernises educational frameworks to align with current evidence; and UCO's Osteo-TAQ national study (£17,980) maps clinical practice to support professional development and workforce retention. Each project clearly advances osteopathic practice for public health benefit.

2. Collaborative Partnerships

The foundation explicitly states that “applicants are advised to work in collaboration with others.” Successful projects have involved partnerships between the foundation and established institutions (NCOR, University College of Osteopathy), demonstrating the value placed on collaborative work.

3. Match Funding and Sustainability

Projects should demonstrate match funding from other sources, showing wider support and long-term viability beyond the foundation grant.

4. Innovation with Evidence Base

The OsMoSys Project exemplifies this balance—it's innovative in modernising osteopathic models while being grounded in evidence-based practice, ensuring educational content translates to clinical excellence.

5. Broad Professional Impact

The Osteo-TAQ study demonstrates this criterion well—it benefits the entire UK osteopathic profession through workforce retention support, CPD compliance, and skills enhancement, rather than serving a narrow subset.

6. Research Quality and Methodology

Projects involving research should use validated tools (like the Osteo-TAQ survey) and rigorous methodologies, including international comparisons where relevant.

7. Early Engagement with Foundation Staff

The foundation encourages applicants to “contact Manjeet Kaur at Manjeet@iOsteopathy.org” to discuss potential projects, suggesting that early dialogue may strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Start with a conversation: Contact Manjeet Kaur before applying to discuss your project and ensure alignment with foundation priorities—this is explicitly encouraged.

• Emphasise collaboration and match funding: The foundation values partnerships with other organisations and expects applicants to secure match funding, demonstrating broader support and sustainability.

• Focus on profession-wide benefit: Successful grants serve the osteopathic community broadly rather than narrow interests—think workforce development, educational modernisation, or evidence-base strengthening.

• Balance innovation with evidence: The foundation funds cutting-edge projects, but they must be grounded in sound methodology and evidence-based practice, as demonstrated by the OsMoSys and Osteo-TAQ projects.

• Plan your application timeline: Applications are typically due in early July with decisions in September. Check the website for current year deadlines and plan accordingly.

• Plan for regulatory requirements early: If your project involves NHS sites in England, factor in time for Health Research Authority Approval—this can significantly extend your timeline.

• Study recent grant recipients: Recent awards to NCOR (adverse events research) and two UCO projects (educational modernisation and national practice mapping) reveal what the foundation values—patient safety, evidence-based education, and professional development.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Ove Arup Foundation
• The Stanley Grundy Foundation Limited
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited
• Edwin Fox Foundation
• The Kenneth & Susan Green Charitable Foundation
• The Gilbert And Eileen Edgar Foundation
• The John S Cohen Foundation
• The Michael Bishop Foundation
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust
• Khoo Teck Puat Uk Foundation

References

• Institute of Osteopathy - The Osteopathic Foundation. Available at: https://www.iosteopathy.org/about-the-io/the-osteopathic-foundation/

• Institute of Osteopathy - Grant Applications. Available at: https://www.iosteopathy.org/about-the-io/the-osteopathic-foundation/grant-applications/

• Institute of Osteopathy - Osteopathic Foundation announces successful grant recipients. Available at: https://www.iosteopathy.org/osteopathic-foundation-announces-successful-grant-recipients/

• Charity Commission - The Osteopathic Foundation (313785). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/313785

• KESO - Institute of Osteopathy officially accepts stewardship of Osteopathic Foundation. Available at: https://www.keso.org.uk/institute-of-osteopathy-officially-accepts-stewardship-of-osteopathic-foundation/

• Giving is Great - The Osteopathic Foundation Charity Factsheet. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/charitydetail/?regNo=313785

• Institute of Osteopathy - About The Osteopathic Foundation. Available at: https://www.iosteopathy.org/about-the-io/the-osteopathic-foundation/about-the-of/