The Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £456,372 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Maximum 60 working days after application deadline
• Grant Range: Approximately £2,000 average per grant
• Geographic Focus: Romanian nationals studying in the UK, and projects in Romania
• Total Grants: Up to 100 annual grants totaling approximately £200,000

Contact Details

• Address: 18 Fitzhardinge Street, Manchester Square, London W1H 6EQ, UK
• Phone: +44 20 7486 0295 (020 7486 0295)
• Website: https://ratiu.org
• Charity Number: 278286

Overview

Established in London in 1979 by Ion and Elisabeth Rațiu, The Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation promotes education and research in Romanian culture and history both in Romania and the UK. With an annual income of £468,712 (2024), the foundation awards up to 100 grants annually totaling approximately £200,000. Since 1996, the foundation has supported over 2,000 Romanian students pursuing higher education in the UK with grants exceeding £2 million. The foundation operates through a volunteer board of eight family trustees who receive no remuneration. The foundation focuses on supporting graduates with proven academic skills who are committed to returning to Romania to contribute to the country's socio-economic development, with particular emphasis on civil society, democracy, and heritage preservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Student Grants (supplementary funding, not full scholarships)

• Master's and Doctoral degrees in the UK
• Short-term study courses
• Applicants must demonstrate ability to fully fund their course of study

Conference Participation Grants

• Support for attending relevant international conferences
• Travel and participation costs

Research Grants

• Academic research projects
• Field research support

Project Grants

• Seed funding for innovative projects in Romania
• Projects fostering Romanian civil society, democracy, human rights
• Environmental protection initiatives

Travel Grants

• Support for short-term educational travel

Priority Areas

Academic Priority Fields:

• Social sciences
• Human rights
• Politics and government
• Economics
• Business studies
• Journalism
• Heritage studies
• Also supports: architecture, music, theatre, theology, philosophy, town planning, law, art, design, fashion design, archaeology, ethnomusicology

Project Priority Areas:

• Romanian arts and civilization
• Civil society development
• Democracy promotion
• Human rights
• Environmental protection
• Heritage preservation
• Anti-human trafficking initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly documented, but the foundation focuses exclusively on:

• Romanian nationals only
• UK-based study or international conferences
• Projects with clear benefit to Romania

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (8 trustees, 3 volunteers, 0 employees)

Nicolae Rațiu (Chairman)

• Businessman and philanthropist, son of founder Ion Rațiu
• Chairs the board awarding approximately 100 grants annually worth £200,000
• Focuses on civil society and democracy-related initiatives

Indrei Rațiu (Trustee)

• Educator, former journalist and broadcaster
• Co-founded Pro Patrimonio and other organizations
• Holds degrees from Cambridge University and INSEAD

Alexandru Rațiu (Trustee, appointed October 2022)

• International business graduate
• Career in global recruitment and talent acquisition

Mary Catherine Ileana Camilla Willis (Kitty Willis) (Trustee)

• Psychotherapist and counselor
• Interested in psychological assistance for trafficking survivors

Ioana Rațiu-Răileanu (Trustee)

• Expert in luxury goods marketing
• Previously worked with major cosmetics brands
• Award-winning marketing professional

Dr. Dan Dan (Trustee, appointed October 2011)

• Electrophysiologist at Piedmont Heart Institute
• Medical graduate with extensive international training
• Published researcher

Richard Frank Coleman Pollitzer (Trustee, appointed November 2015)

• Stockbroker with over 35 years of experience
• Long-standing family friend
• Involved with multiple charitable trusts

Peter Mark Harrap (Trustee, appointed November 2019)

• British Romanian artist and curator
• Background in museum exhibitions

Note: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Windows: Twice annually

• Deadline 1: January 15th
• Deadline 2: August 15th

Application Method:

• Online applications only, submitted in English
• Forms available on the foundation's website at https://ratiu.org/grants/
• Applicants must review the Guidance section at the end of application documents before submitting

Language Requirement:

• Minimum IELTS 6.5 for English proficiency

Decision Timeline

• Response Time: Maximum 60 working days after application deadline
• Notification Method: Direct communication to applicants

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However:

• The foundation receives applications twice annually
• Awards up to 100 grants totaling approximately £200,000
• Average grant is approximately £2,000 per recipient, though amounts vary by need
• Since 1996, over 2,000 Romanian students have been supported with total funding exceeding £2 million

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants seeking clarification should contact the foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

The foundation has clearly documented what they look for in successful applicants:

Academic Excellence

• “Graduates with proven academic skills” who demonstrate a strong academic track record
• Established career trajectory with “a track record of excellence and achievement”

Commitment to Romania

• Applicants must be “committed to returning to Romania” after completing their studies
• Must demonstrate “a clear idea how their grant will benefit their country on their return”
• Focus on contributing to Romania's socio-economic development

Leadership Potential

• “The prospect of becoming a leader in their field”
• Candidates should be established in their careers with demonstrated achievement

Financial Responsibility

• Applicants must “demonstrate ability to fully fund their course of studies”
• The foundation "will verify the applicants' ability to fully fund their course of studies before releasing the Foundation's funds"
• Ratiu grants are supplementary funding, not full scholarships

Field Alignment

• Priority given to social sciences, human rights, politics, government, economics, business studies, journalism, and heritage
• Other fields supported include architecture, music, theatre, theology, philosophy, town planning, law, art, and design

Past Recipients as Examples:

• Cassandra Cristiana Ignat: BSc Economics graduate receiving support for Cambridge/LSE studies
• Roxana Talida Roman: PhD in History at University of Birmingham
• Anca Ștef: Journalist writing book on Communist prison testimonies

For Project Grants:

• “Seed funding for innovative projects in Romania”
• Focus on projects fostering civil society, democracy, human rights, and environmental protection
• Past supported organizations include: Alburnus Maior Roșia Montană, Jeunesse Musicale Romania, UNITER (Theatre Union), Agent Green, and Imago Association

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Romanian nationals only: The foundation exclusively supports Romanian citizens; ensure you clearly state your nationality and Romanian connection
• Supplementary funding model: These are not full scholarships; you must demonstrate ability to fully fund your studies before receiving Ratiu support
• Commitment to Romania is critical: Articulate a clear, specific plan for how your studies/project will benefit Romania upon your return
• Priority fields matter: While many subjects are supported, applications in social sciences, human rights, politics, economics, business, journalism, and heritage receive priority
• Leadership potential: Emphasize your track record of excellence and your potential to become a leader in your field
• Plan ahead for deadlines: With only two application windows per year (January 15 and August 15), timing is crucial
• 60-day decision window: Expect a response within maximum 60 working days after the deadline, allowing for planning
• Family-led governance: The foundation is run by engaged family trustees with diverse professional backgrounds; understanding their varied expertise may help in framing applications

References

• Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation official website: https://ratiu.org
• Ratiu Foundation Grants page: https://ratiu.org/grants/
• Ratiu Foundation Trustees page: https://ratiu.org/trustees/
• Ratiu Foundation Past Grant Recipients: https://ratiu.org/past-grant-recipients/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation (278286): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/278286
• UK Charity Commission - Trustees listing (278286): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/278286/trustees
• UK Charity Commission - Financial information (2024): Total income £468,712, Total expenditure £456,372