Alan Davidson Foundation

The Alan Davidson Foundation, a UK-registered charity established in 2015 by pioneering architect Alan Hayes Davidson following his 2012 motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis, drives the search for an MND cure, enhances lives affected by neurological diseases, and champions architecture, design, and visual arts innovation. Rooted in Davidson's legacy until his 2018 passing, it embodies creativity, inclusivity, open-source scientific collaboration, and practical compassion, committing over £7 million to impactful, sustainable change through trustee-led due diligence and personal engagement.

It prioritizes MND research (e.g., ACORN Study, King’s College London, TRICALS, MND-SMART), care enhancements like 'Davidson Nurse' posts and PhD extensions on TDP-43, and architectural initiatives including the Davidson Prize (a transformative design competition since 2020), John Ruskin Prize, scholarships, and visual arts projects fostering public engagement (e.g., The Big Draw). Beneficiaries span researchers, health professionals, emerging designers, and those with neurological conditions, with UK-wide support across all nations and international scientific reach.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions based in the UK, favoring medium-to-large organizations with sectoral impact; no strict income thresholds apply, but unsolicited applications are not accepted in 2025 amid multi-year commitments—preliminary online enquiries open for 2026 consideration. Grants range from £25,000 to £1,150,000 for projects, research, capital, scholarships, prizes, and specialist posts (no core/unrestricted costs), awarded adhoc via trustee meetings.

Distinctively blending cutting-edge neurology with creative innovation, it backs bold, open-source models in underfunded areas, prioritizing transformative vision over routine activities.