Borne Foundation

Could Borne Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £50,000 – £250,000
Where they fund: London, UK
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Two-stage application
Decisions: Bi annually

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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borne.org.uk

About Borne Foundation

The Borne Foundation drives scientific breakthroughs to prevent premature birth and enhance lifelong health for mothers and babies worldwide. Founded by a leading obstetrician, its mission centres on advancing high-quality research into pregnancy mechanisms, preterm labour causes, and preventive interventions. Guided by values of scientific excellence, transparency, fairness, privacy, safeguarding, and multidisciplinary collaboration, it employs a distinctive philosophy of independent peer-reviewed funding, strategic gap-filling, and long-term programme support for translational research. The Foundation believes that root-cause discovery, nurtured through expert talent and sustained research teams, yields transformative solutions in obstetrics and neonatology.

What Borne Foundation funds

The Foundation prioritises preterm birth research spanning basic science probing biological triggers of premature labour, clinical studies evaluating interventions to delay delivery, translational projects converting discoveries into actionable therapies, and clinical trials testing preventive treatments. It also supports capacity-building via fellowships, studentships, and career development for researchers in maternal-fetal medicine, perinatal health, and neonatal outcomes. Supported activities foster collaborative networks across research institutions, pilot schemes for innovative diagnostics, and knowledge translation through publications and data-sharing. The work aims to reduce global prematurity impacts through evidence-based prevention, early intervention, and holistic maternal-newborn health strategies, with a focus on London-based institutions and international collaboration.

Who can apply

Registered charities and research organisations can apply, with a geographic priority on London and the wider UK. The Foundation favours expert-led teams in world-class centres with international collaboration, peer-reviewed rigour, and a commitment to education alongside research. Key beneficiaries include expectant mothers at risk of preterm complications, unborn fetuses vulnerable to lifelong disabilities, newborn babies facing prematurity-related health challenges like respiratory distress or neurodevelopmental delays, and clinical practitioners delivering pregnancy care. Unsolicited applications are welcome.

What Borne Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation excludes core operational costs, general charity support unrelated to preterm research, non-scientific activities, and short-term responsive grants lacking translational potential. It focuses on underfunded gaps in preterm birth aetiology and prevention, so proposals outside this scope are unlikely to be considered.

How they like to fund

The Foundation employs a distinctive philosophy of independent peer-reviewed funding, strategic gap-filling, and long-term programme support for translational research. It emphasises sustained investment in future obstetrics-neonatology leaders, supporting fellowships, studentships, and career development. It favours expert-led teams and international collaboration, and welcomes unsolicited applications.

How much does Borne Foundation give?

£50,000 – £250,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Health

How to apply to Borne Foundation

Borne Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.

Decisions are typically bi annually.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Borne Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Borne Foundation provide?

Borne Foundation typically provides grants of £50,000 - £250,000.

Where does Borne Foundation fund charities?

Borne Foundation funds charities operating in London, UK.

Does Borne Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Borne Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Borne Foundation?

Borne Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Decisions are typically bi annually.