Ataxia UK
Could Ataxia UK fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £30,000
- Where they fund
- any country with relevance to UK
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
- Decisions
- Three times yearly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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ataxia.org.ukAbout Ataxia UK
Ataxia UK is a national charity supporting people affected by ataxia, a group of rare neurological conditions affecting movement, coordination and speech. Founded by families and clinicians, the organisation is driven by a mission to fund research into treatments and cures while improving quality of life through practical support. It works in a collaborative, patient-centred way, involving people with ataxia in shaping its priorities. What makes the charity distinctive is its dual focus on both scientific research and direct individual support, guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee. It funds research into inherited and sporadic ataxias where ataxia is the main symptom and likely to be progressive, and also provides grants for equipment, education and training for individuals with ataxia.
What Ataxia UK funds
The charity funds research into ataxia and related conditions where ataxia is the primary progressive symptom. This includes PhD studentships, fellowships, pilot schemes and small grants. They also support equipment grants for individuals with ataxia to improve mobility, independence and quality of life, as well as training and educational opportunities. Their work has a strong UK focus, though research applications are accepted from any country if the work benefits people with ataxia in the UK. Specific themes include mobility aids, assistive technology, and research into treatments and cures.
Who can apply
Individuals with ataxia aged 16 and over can apply for equipment grants, subject to a financial assessment. Academic institutions, private sector research companies, suitably qualified individuals and collaborative groups can apply for research funding. Research applicants may be based in any country, but the research must have relevance for people affected by ataxia in the UK. For equipment grants, applicants must have insufficient personal funds and be on a low income or certain benefits. The charity also considers applications from charities and other organisations, but primarily supports individuals directly.
What Ataxia UK doesn't fund
The charity does not fund research into conditions where ataxia is not the primary symptom, such as multiple sclerosis, ataxic cerebral palsy, or ataxia caused by stroke, head injury or toxicity. It also does not fund ataxia telangiectasia. For individual grants, excluded items include clothing, furniture (unless specially adapted), holidays, building work and medical costs. General building work is not supported.
How they like to fund
Ataxia UK offers both multi-year research grants and one-off equipment grants for individuals. They welcome unsolicited applications for research, which are reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Committee. The charity uses a collaborative approach, involving people with ataxia in decision-making. Some grants require match funding, while others do not. Funding is provided as grants, not loans, and the charity works in partnership with other funders where appropriate.
How much does Ataxia UK give?
Ataxia UK runs 5 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 77 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~10 weeks
- Online application form
- Match funding required
- Online application form
- 1 rounds a year
- 2 rounds a year
- Multi-year funding
- Online application form
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Ataxia UK funds — and what they won't
We favour applications that help improve people’s mobility, independence and quality of life.
The full exclusions list (2)
- Applicants must be aged 16 and above. Applicants must have insufficient personal funds to purchase the equipment themselves. Applicants in receipt of benefits, for example income support or employment support allowance, will need to provide appropriate proof of this. Applicants not in receipt of benefits will need to show that their income, after paying a mortgage, rent and council tax is £106 a week or lower.
- Applicants must be between the ages of 16-30, have ataxia and reside in the UK.
Good to know
How to apply to Ataxia UK
Ataxia UK takes applications via two-stage application.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically three times yearly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Ataxia UK's application asks
We hold the 29 questions from Ataxia UK's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“SECTION A – SPONSOR CONTACT DETAILS Title Sponsor First Name Sponsor Surname Job Title Organisation/ Charity Name Charity Registration No. Address Postcode Contact Tel. Email Address Relationship to beneficiary? How did you hear about us?”
“SECTION B - BENEFICIARY DETAILS Beneficiary Name Date of birth Postcode About the beneficiary & his/ her health Tell as much as you can about the person, his/ her medical condition and personal circumstances. Household income and savings An overview of household income (salaries and/ or state benefits) and savings What funding is needed for Tell us what difference a grant will make to this individual”
27 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Ataxia UK could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Ataxia UK provide?
Ataxia UK runs 5 grant programmes — Barchester's Charitable Foundation (administered by Ataxia UK): £100 – £600 · Headley Trust Grants (administered by Ataxia UK): Up to £2,000 · Mark Dower Trust: Up to £3,000 · Research Grants (including PhD studentships and fellowships): £5,000 – £30,000 · Small Grants and Pilot Scheme Grants: Up to £5,000.
Where does Ataxia UK fund charities?
Ataxia UK funds charities operating in any country with relevance to UK.
Does Ataxia UK accept unsolicited applications?
Ataxia UK accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Ataxia UK not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Applicants must be aged 16 and above. Applicants must have insufficient personal funds to purchase the equipment themselves. Applicants in receipt of benefits, for example income support or employment support allowance, will need to provide appropriate proof of this. Applicants not in receipt of benefits will need to show that their income, after paying a mortgage, rent and council tax is £106 a week or lower.; Applicants must be between the ages of 16-30, have ataxia and reside in the UK.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Ataxia UK?
Ataxia UK takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: online application form.
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