The Urology Foundation

Charity Number: 1128683

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £10.8 million invested since 1995
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (Smaller Projects Fund)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £60,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK and Republic of Ireland

Contact Details

  • Website: www.theurologyfoundation.org
  • Email: info@theurologyfoundation.org / grants@theurologyfoundation.org
  • Phone: 020 7713 9538
  • Registered Charity Number: 1128683

Overview

The Urology Foundation is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all urology diseases, working across the UK and Ireland. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has invested £10.8 million into urology research and training that has significantly advanced understanding of urology cancers and conditions and how to treat them. Led by Chief Executive Rebecca Porta, who brings over 30 years' experience in the voluntary sector including senior roles at The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the British Lung Foundation, the charity operates through a rigorous peer review process as a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees including Baroness Wyld and consultant urological surgeon Ben Challacombe, and its Scientific and Education Committee is chaired by Professor Grant Stewart.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Innovation & Research Fund: Up to £60,000 for projects using new, exciting, innovative approaches to address urology diseases. Applications open late November/early December annually. Individual awards where the named applicant must carry out the research.
  • Smaller Research Projects Fund: Up to £10,000 for nurse-led and/or clinician-led patient projects deliverable within 2 years, focused on improving clinical services, patient treatments, and care quality. Applications considered twice yearly with fixed deadlines (including September).
  • David Thompson Fellowship: Annual fellowship up to £35,000 for trainees or early years consultants to enhance urological training, education, knowledge transfer and collaboration, developing outstanding surgical leaders.
  • TUF Urolink Fellowships: £1,500 bursary towards travel costs, enabling senior trainees to experience working in Low or Middle Income Country (LMIC) environments through Urolink recognised centres.
  • Travel Grants: Up to £500 for attending educational or training courses or conferences. Rolling applications accepted at any time.

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds research and training addressing all urological conditions including:

  • Prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Prostatitis
  • Kidney stones
  • Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  • “Cinderella cancers” such as penile cancer (underserved areas)

The Foundation particularly encourages research that addresses underserved conditions with high impact but historically low funding, and projects that can lead to better care, quicker recovery times, and fewer long-term issues for patients.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, eligibility is limited to:

  • Professionals based in UK or Republic of Ireland
  • Research carried out in UK or Ireland
  • Previous grant recipients should check eligibility before reapplying
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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Rebecca Porta, with over 30 years' experience in the voluntary sector, previously at The Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Migraine Trust, CancerBACUP (now Macmillan Cancer Support), and the British Lung Foundation, where she served as Chief Executive.

Board of Trustees:

  • Baroness Wyld
  • Ben Challacombe - Consultant urological surgeon at Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, specializing in robotic surgery for kidney and prostatic disease

Scientific and Education Committee:

  • Chairman: Professor Grant Stewart (appointed March 2018)
  • Includes clinical trustees, academic urologists, scientists, and lay members providing patient perspectives
  • Professor Caroline Moore - First woman Professor of Urology in the UK, Head of Urology at University College London

Rebecca Porta has stated: “Investment in research and support for our colleagues in the urology community has never been more needed,” emphasizing the Foundation's commitment to supporting “more high-quality urology trials.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Foundation's website at www.theurologyfoundation.org. Each grant program has specific application requirements and forms available on their respective pages.

Smaller Research Projects Fund requires:

  • Summary of study aims and objectives
  • Projected trial/study size (e.g., number of patients)
  • Names and positions of study/project leader and team members with brief CVs (max 2 sides A4 each)
  • Hospital/institution location
  • Detailed breakdown of all projected costs

Innovation & Research Fund:

  • Individual award applications where named applicant must conduct the research
  • Must include progress reporting requirements for final grant instalment

Travel Grants: Rolling applications accepted throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

  • Smaller Research Projects Fund: Notification of success or failure normally made within 8 weeks following deadline dates
  • Innovation & Research Fund: Applications reviewed late November/early December, with decisions following rigorous review
  • Applications are subject to rigorous review by the Review Panel and Scientific and Education Committee

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate statistics, including number of applications received or percentage of awards made.

Reapplication Policy

Previous TUF grant recipients must check eligibility before reapplying. For specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants, contact grants@theurologyfoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

The Scientific and Education Committee assesses applications based on:

  • Study aims and quality of the proposal
  • Likelihood of findings being easily disseminated and leading to changes in practice
  • Reputation of the institution and study's leading personnel
  • How closely the study relates to The Urology Foundation's own strategic priorities
  • For patient-focused projects: measured and evaluated outcomes demonstrating improved care and well-being

Strategic Priorities

The Foundation has established the TUF Trials Unit to form “the only dedicated urological trials unit of its kind in the UK” to “identify promising and important research ideas from urology units” around the country. Applications aligning with this strategic direction are encouraged.

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Prostate Cancer Prognosis Tool: Development of a tool to predict personalized prognosis following prostate cancer diagnosis
  • Robotic Surgery Training: Peter Cooke received robotic surgery training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2012, resulting in significant changes to urological surgery in the West Midlands
  • Kidney Cancer Service: Development of a specialized service for kidney cancer patients at Royal Free Hospital, London, by surgeons whose training was funded by TUF

Partnership Opportunities

The Foundation collaborates with:

  • Penguins Against Cancer (PAC) for urological cancer research projects
  • Fulbright Commission for “The Fulbright Urology Foundation Award” for research assignments in US academic institutions
  • BAUS (British Association of Urological Surgeons) for travel grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • AMRC Standards: As an AMRC member, the Foundation maintains rigorous peer review standards—ensure applications are research-robust and well-designed
  • Patient Impact Focus: Emphasize how research will lead to measurable improvements in patient care, outcomes, and quality of life
  • Underserved Areas: Consider addressing “Cinderella” conditions or high-impact but historically underfunded urological issues
  • Dissemination Plans: Clearly articulate how findings will be shared and translated into practice changes
  • Institutional Credibility: Highlight the reputation and track record of your institution and research team
  • Strategic Alignment: Demonstrate how your project aligns with TUF's strategic priorities, particularly the Trials Unit initiative
  • Realistic Timelines: For Smaller Projects Fund, ensure your project is genuinely deliverable within 2 years with clear evaluation metrics
  • Direct Contact: Don't hesitate to contact grants@theurologyfoundation.org with questions before applying—the Foundation appears accessible and supportive

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