Dr Radcliffe's Trust

Could Dr Radcliffe's Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £2,500 – £7,500
Where they fund: United Kingdom
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form
Decisions: Bi annually

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

Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card

About Dr Radcliffe's Trust

Dr Radcliffe's Trust is one of Britain's oldest independent grant-making foundations, established in 1714 by Oxford physician Dr John Radcliffe. Its mission is to advance learning, health, and public welfare, with a particular focus on classical music and heritage crafts. The trust values high artistic standards, innovation, and public benefit, and it funds projects that foster excellence, sustainability, and access in these fields. It supports UK-registered charities, CIOs, CICs, and community benefit societies, favouring small to medium-sized organisations with established programmes. The trust operates distinct funding schemes, each with its own thematic focus, and welcomes unsolicited applications.

What Dr Radcliffe's Trust funds

The trust's Music Scheme funds classical music performance and training, especially chamber music, composition, and music education. Priority areas include music for children and adults with special needs, youth orchestras, and projects at secondary and higher levels, including academic research. The Heritage & Crafts Scheme supports the preservation of endangered craft skills through bursaries, apprenticeships, and practitioner development. Both schemes fund project delivery and training activities across the United Kingdom for public benefit.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, and community benefit societies. The trust does not fund individuals. It prioritises small to medium-sized organisations with established programmes in classical music or heritage crafts. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

What Dr Radcliffe's Trust doesn't fund

The trust does not fund core costs, individuals, or activities taking place outside the United Kingdom. It also excludes capital projects and non-UK public benefit.

How they like to fund

Grants are multi-year and support project delivery and training. The trust funds one-off revenue grants for specific projects. It welcomes unsolicited applications and does not require match funding.

How much does Dr Radcliffe's Trust give?

Dr Radcliffe's Trust runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 26 sourced facts

Heritage & Crafts SchemeCurrently closed

£2,500 – £7,500

Next deadline 31 January 2027
2 rounds a year
Decisions in ~26 weeks
Multi-year funding

Music SchemeCurrently closed

£2,500 – £5,000

Next deadline 31 January 2027
Multi-year funding

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 Dr Radcliffe's Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

classical music performance and training, especially chamber music, composition and music education. Particular interests within music education are music for children and adults with special needs, youth orchestras and projects at secondary and higher levels, including academic research.

Where they fund

United Kingdom

Costs they'll cover

Project deliveryTraining

They don't fund

Core costsIndividuals

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Arts & cultureChildren & youthEducation

How to apply to Dr Radcliffe's Trust

Dr Radcliffe's Trust takes applications via online form.

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 Dr Radcliffe's Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Dr Radcliffe's Trust provide?

Dr Radcliffe's Trust runs 2 grant programmes — Heritage & Crafts Scheme: £2,500 – £7,500 · Music Scheme: £2,500 – £5,000.

Where does Dr Radcliffe's Trust fund charities?

Dr Radcliffe's Trust funds charities operating in United Kingdom.

Does Dr Radcliffe's Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Dr Radcliffe's Trust 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 Dr Radcliffe's Trust?

Dr Radcliffe's Trust takes applications via online form. Decisions are typically bi annually.