Torbay Medical Research Fund

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 261932
• Annual Income: £65,594 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £84,709 (2024)
• Grant Range: £500 - £300,000+
• Decision Time: Considered at 3 annual meetings; Ian McKenzie Scholarships within 3 weeks
• Geographic Focus: Torbay and South Devon
• Established: 1970

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

• Email: admin@tmrf.info
• Phone: 01803 320100
• Website: www.tmrf.info

For Grant Applications:

• Email: admin@tmrf.info

For Informal Discussions:

• Dr. Fiona Roberts (R&D Director): fiona.roberts34@nhs.net

Registered Address:

Sigma House, Oak View Close, Edginswell Park, Torquay, TQ2 7FF

Overview

The Torbay Medical Research Fund is an independent charitable fund established in 1970 by local medical practitioners to encourage better health in Torbay through supporting local research. The Fund's charitable purpose is the preservation and protection of health and the relief of sickness by furthering medical, dental, health and care research projects within the Torbay and South Devon medical, dental, health and care community, and the publication of the results of such research. The Fund has invested significantly in research over its 50+ year history, awarding grants ranging from small conference scholarships to major multi-year research programmes exceeding £300,000. Notable recent investments include a landmark £250,000 grant to the University of Plymouth in 2019 to support doctoral and pre-doctoral fellowships for health and social care practitioners - described as “a first within the South West” for this type of support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Research Grants

• Funding for medical, dental, health and care research projects
• Grant amounts vary from £7,000 to £300,000+ depending on project scope
• Examples of recent grants:
• £300,958 for professional development research
• £208,619 for children in statutory care research
• £164,074 for integrated care pathways research
• £100,914 for nutrition and wellness research
• £32,710 for Crohn's Disease dietary intervention research
• £13,753 for diabetes diagnosis stratification study

2. Research Fellowships (PhDs only)

• Periodically offered for PhD candidates
• The Fund does not support master's applications
• Must benefit the Torbay and South Devon community
• Can include researchers addressing questions from the local health community, professionals wanting to pursue a PhD, or university partnership research

3. Ian McKenzie Scholarships

• Up to £500 per scholarship
• For medical, dental, health and care professionals in South Devon and Torbay
• Covers conference registration, travel, and accommodation costs
• Supports presentation of research at regional, national or international conferences
• Rolling application process with decisions within 3 weeks
• Can apply once per year, maximum of 3 times over career at Torbay and South Devon
• Only one applicant per poster/presentation (normally first named author)

Priority Areas

The Fund supports research across five categories:

• Medical research - Including studies on diabetes, respiratory conditions, surgical interventions
• Dental research - Oral health studies benefiting the local community
• Health care research - Including integrated care pathways, perioperative care, rehabilitation
• Social care research - Including studies on children in statutory care, vulnerable populations
• Public health & prevention - Including nutrition studies, health promotion, disease prevention

Key Priority: All research must benefit patients or people living in Torbay and South Devon. The Fund particularly values applied research that has direct clinical or community impact.

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information:

• Master's degree programmes (fellowships are for PhDs only)
• Research that does not have a direct benefit to Torbay and South Devon
• Projects that have alternative funding sources already secured
• Research not conducted under the auspices of the Torbay and South Devon medical, dental, health and care community
• Ian McKenzie Scholarships cannot be claimed retrospectively after conference attendance

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Board consists of 5 trustees who meet three times annually to decide on grant applications and fellowships. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity. The Board is described as having “a mix of lay professionals and clinical experts who each bring a unique set of skills and experiences.”

Current Trustees:

• Sharon Austen - Chair; Partner at PKF Francis Clark LLP, works as part of the healthcare team advising GPs and others in the healthcare sector; also Treasurer for RAMM Development Trust

• Tom Parry - Chartered Financial Planner at Old Mill; experienced in advising healthcare charities

• Chris Linton - Partner at Wollen Michelmore; serves as Honorary Secretary

• Mr. Seamus MacDermott - Urology consultant at Torbay Hospital; provides clinical expertise

• Dr. Jonathan Goldman - Recently retired respiratory consultant; brings extensive clinical research experience

Research Advisors: The Board is advised on research applications and priorities by research advisors from the Torbay and South Devon health and care community, typically clinicians with a track record in research.

Treasurer: Francis Clark LLP (contact: Jane Johns)

Previous Leadership Quote: Peter Cliff, former Chair, stated: “We are committed to supporting innovative research approaches” when announcing the major £250,000 grant to University of Plymouth.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Research Grants and Fellowships:

• Grant application form (available at www.tmrf.info)
• Finance spreadsheet

• Completed grant application form
• Completed finance spreadsheet
• Brief summary CV
• Note: For Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust applicants, collaborate with the Charity Team during project design

• Email all materials to: admin@tmrf.info
• Ensure submission by the published deadline dates

• Application reviewed by a small team including the Director of Research & Development

• If application progresses, applicant will be invited to present their research proposal at the next Fund meeting
• Meetings held at Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital, 5:30-7:30pm

For Ian McKenzie Scholarships:

1. Download application form from www.tmrf.info
2. Complete form and attach copy of accepted poster/presentation
3. Email to: admin@tmrf.info
4. Decision within 3 weeks
5. If successful, provide receipts within 3 months of conference date

Not Sure if Your Project is Research?

• Check Health Research Authority guidance
• Review National Institute for Health Research resources
• Contact Dr. Fiona Roberts for informal discussion: fiona.roberts34@nhs.net

Decision Timeline

Research Grants and Fellowships:

• Applications considered at three annual Board meetings
• 2026 meeting dates: 26th January, 29th June, 2nd November
• Application deadlines: 5th January, 8th June, 12th October (approximately 3 weeks before meetings)
• Time allocated before meetings to address queries with applicants

Ian McKenzie Scholarships:

• Considered at Board meetings and between meetings
• Decision normally within 10 working days to 3 weeks
• Faster turnaround for time-sensitive conference deadlines

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Fund's financial information shows annual expenditure of approximately £85,000-£100,000 on grants, suggesting they fund multiple projects each year across their three funding streams.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not published on the website. Applicants should contact the Fund directly to discuss reapplication if unsuccessful.

Ian McKenzie Scholarship Limits:

• Can apply once per year
• Maximum of 3 applications over career at Torbay and South Devon

Application Success Factors

What the Fund Values

Local Benefit Focus:

All research must demonstrate direct benefit to patients or people living in Torbay and South Devon. Make this connection explicit and prominent in your application.

Applied Research:

The Fund particularly values research that can be implemented to improve clinical practice or community health outcomes, not just theoretical research.

Collaboration with Local Health Community:

Research conducted “under the auspices of the Torbay and South Devon medical, dental, health and care community” is essential. Demonstrate strong connections with local healthcare providers.

Professional Development:

The landmark £250,000 grant to University of Plymouth demonstrates the Fund's commitment to developing research-active healthcare professionals. Professor Mary Hickson noted: “People working with patients are well placed to explore research that will really make a difference.”

Innovation:

Previous Chair Peter Cliff emphasized the Fund's commitment to “supporting innovative research approaches.”

Examples of Funded Research

Recent successful projects span:

• Integrated care for patients with multiple long-term conditions (£170,215)
• Brain plasticity and rehabilitation for rotator cuff tears (£121,287)
• Whole-food dietary intervention for Crohn's Disease (£32,710)
• Professional development for nursing, allied health professionals, and midwives (£300,958)
• Children's palliative care and statutory care research (£208,619)
• Effects of high protein/energy meals on malnourished elderly adults (£100,914)
• Diabetes diagnosis stratification using urinary C-peptide (£13,753)

Presentation Skills Matter

Applicants are required to present their research proposal to the Board. Prepare a clear, compelling 10-15 minute presentation that:

• Articulates the research question and its importance to local patients
• Demonstrates methodological rigor
• Shows realistic budget and timeline
• Highlights expected impact on local health outcomes

Strong Financial Planning

Submit a detailed finance spreadsheet showing:

• Realistic cost estimates
• Clear justification for each expense
• Evidence that the project does not have alternative funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical - Your research must clearly benefit Torbay and South Devon residents. Generic regional or national research will not be competitive.

• Practice your pitch - You will need to present to the Board if shortlisted. This presentation is a key part of the decision-making process, so prepare thoroughly.

• Plan ahead for deadlines - With only three meetings per year, missing a deadline means waiting 4 months for the next opportunity. Submit well before the deadline to allow time for queries.

• For quick funding needs - Ian McKenzie Scholarships offer a faster route (3 weeks) for conference support up to £500, with decisions possible between Board meetings.

• Build relationships first - Contact Dr. Fiona Roberts for informal discussions about your project before applying. This can help ensure your application aligns with the Fund's priorities.

• PhD focus for fellowships - If seeking fellowship support, note that only PhD programmes are eligible, not master's degrees.

• Show local collaboration - Demonstrate strong partnerships with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust or other local health and care providers.

• Applied research wins - Research that will lead to tangible improvements in local patient care or health outcomes is most competitive.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE EVELYN TRUST
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
• THE JGW PATTERSON FOUNDATION
• DUCHY HEALTH CHARITY LIMITED
• The North Staffordshire Medical Institute Limited
• ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH
• Wessex Medical Trust
• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
• Torbay Community Development Trust
• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund official website - www.tmrf.info

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “About Us” page - https://www.tmrf.info/about-us/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Grant Applications” page - https://www.tmrf.info/grant-applications/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Ian McKenzie Scholarships” page - https://www.tmrf.info/ian-mckenzie-scholarships/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Fellowships” page - https://www.tmrf.info/fellowships/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Current Research” page - https://www.tmrf.info/legacies/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Trustees” page - https://tmrf.info/trustees/

1. Torbay Medical Research Fund “Trust Fund Meetings” page - https://www.tmrf.info/trust-fund-meetings/

1. Charity Commission Register - Torbay Medical Research Fund (261932) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/261932

1. University of Plymouth - “£250,000 grant to support research for health and social care practitioners in Torbay” - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/_250000-grant-to-support-research-for-health-and-social-care-practitioners-in-torbay

1. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - “£250,000 research grant for health and social care practitioners in Torbay” - https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/about-us/news-and-publications/news/2019/04/research-grant-for-health-and-social-care-practitioners-15874/