The William Leech Research Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £16,609 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed annually; interviews in June, projects start September/October
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by project)
• Geographic Focus: North East of England

Contact Details

Website: www.leechresearchfund.org

Email: marcia.lant@williamleechinvestments.co.uk (administrative contact)

Director: director@leechresearchfund.org (Dr Andrew Orton)

Phone: 0191 232 7940

Pre-application Support: Strongly encouraged - potential applicants are advised to contact the Director before applying

Overview

The William Leech Research Fund was established in 1988 with monies from the William Leech Foundation, a charitable trust created in 1960 by Newcastle builder and philanthropist Sir William Leech. The fund was originally created in response to the 1985 report “Faith in the City: A Call to Action by Church and Nation.” Until 2010, it supported five-year professorial fellowships alternating between Newcastle and Durham Universities. Following a strategic review in 2021, the fund shifted its approach to support a wider range of shorter-term research (typically 6-12 months) and to build longer-term partnerships across networks working in Christian social ethics and practical theology. The fund appointed Dr Andrew Orton as part-time Director on a one-day-per-week secondment from Durham University.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

William Leech Research Fellowships in Applied Christian Theology

• Typically 6-12 months duration (recent examples include 12-month full-time fellowships)
• Application deadline: Annual (most recent deadline was May 2025)
• Interviews for shortlisted candidates: June
• Fellowship start dates: September/October
• Application method: Online application form with supporting documents

Priority Areas

The fund's charitable objective is the advancement of religion for the public benefit through:

• Christian social ethics: Research that develops theological reflection on social, economic, and pastoral issues
• Practical theology: Applied research relevant to the mission and ministry of churches in the North East of England
• Contemporary gospel communication: Research addressing how to communicate the Christian gospel in the contemporary UK context
• Christian hope and pastoral responsibility: Theological reflection relevant to current challenges facing churches and communities

When awarding grants, the fund expresses a preference for researchers who intend to reside in the North East of England for the duration of their work, to facilitate active engagement in the region and dissemination of their research.

Recent Fellowship Topics

Recent fellowships have addressed:

• Loneliness and isolation experienced by older people (in partnership with Churches Together South Tyneside)
• Theology of art, land, and economy in contested urban space (addressing gentrification and community activism)
• Ethical fundraising and “tainted money” for Christian organizations
• Developing indigenous missional leaders among Free Churches

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the fund's focus is clearly on:

• Research that is theological in nature (not general social research without theological reflection)
• Work connected to the North East of England region
• Projects that engage with churches and Christian organizations

Ready to write a winning application for The William Leech Research Fund?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Structure: Registered charity (number 1127350), established as a Trust in 2008

Trustee: 1 corporate trustee (William Leech Foundation Limited)

Director: Dr Andrew Orton (part-time, one day per week)

• Academic role at Durham University
• Research focuses on Christian social action, poverty, migration, and community empowerment

Volunteers: 6

The fund operates with a Management Committee that reviews applications and sets terms for awards.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted annually with a fixed deadline (recent deadline: May 2025).

Application Requirements:

• At least one letter of support from church/social action organizations
• CV of proposed researcher
• Letter from academic host organization (optional but recommended)
• Letter from fund management organization (optional but recommended)

Academic Host Organizations: Applicants are encouraged to confirm support from an academic organization early in the process. Organizations that have previously provided this support include:

• Newcastle University
• St Chad's College, Durham
• St John's College, Durham
• Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University

Ethical Considerations: Applicants should discuss ethical considerations of their research with their academic host.

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: May (annual)
• Shortlisting: June
• Interviews: Mid-June (for shortlisted candidates)
• Decision notification: June/July
• Fellowship start: September/October

Typical timeline from application to decision: Approximately 1-2 months

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The fund has limited resources (annual expenditure of approximately £16,000-£92,000 in recent years), suggesting a small number of fellowships awarded annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Contact the Director for guidance if previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Pre-application Engagement is Critical

The fund explicitly states that potential applicants are “strongly advised” to contact the Director before applying. This suggests that successful applications involve prior discussion and guidance.

Regional Engagement

The fund expresses a clear preference for researchers who will reside in the North East during their work. Applications should demonstrate:

• How the researcher will engage with churches and communities in the region
• Plans for disseminating research within the region
• Connections to regional organizations and networks

Academic Support

While not mandatory, letters from academic host organizations are “recommended.” Recent fellows have been affiliated with Durham and Newcastle universities, suggesting that strong academic backing enhances applications.

Church and Community Support

At least one letter of support from church or social action organizations is required. This indicates the fund values:

• Practical relevance to church ministry and mission
• Connection to real communities and organizations
• Research that will benefit practitioners, not just academics

Theological Depth with Practical Application

The fund seeks “applied Christian theology” that combines:

• Rigorous theological reflection
• Engagement with contemporary social, economic, or pastoral issues
• Practical relevance to church mission and ministry

Recent Strategic Direction

Following the 2021 review, the fund is building “longer-term support for ongoing learning and partnerships.” This suggests they value:

• Research that contributes to networks and ongoing conversations
• Projects that build capacity beyond the individual fellowship
• Collaboration with other funded researchers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact the Director first: Pre-application discussion with Dr Andrew Orton is strongly advised and likely essential for competitive applications
• North East connection is crucial: Demonstrate plans to reside in and engage with the region throughout the research period
• Balance theology and practice: Research must be theologically rigorous while addressing practical issues facing churches and communities
• Build partnerships early: Secure support from academic institutions and church/social action organizations before applying
• Think beyond your project: Show how your research contributes to broader networks and ongoing learning in your field
• Plan for dissemination: Demonstrate how research findings will be communicated accessibly to churches and communities in the North East
• Annual deadline: Applications accepted once per year (typically May), so plan well in advance

References

1. The William Leech Research Fund official website - https://leechresearchfund.org/
2. “About” page - https://leechresearchfund.org/about/
3. “How to apply” page - https://leechresearchfund.org/apply-2/
4. “Previous Fellows” page - https://leechresearchfund.org/previous-fellows/
5. Charity Commission Register - The William Leech Research Fund (1127350) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1127350&subid=0
6. Dr Andrew Orton staff profile, Durham University - https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/a-j-orton/