Thackray Medical Research Trust

Could Thackray Medical Research Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £25,000
Applications: By invitation only

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

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tmrt.co.uk

About Thackray Medical Research Trust

The Thackray Medical Research Trust (TMRT) was established in 1990 by Charles Paul Thackray from proceeds of the Leeds-based medical products firm Chas. F. Thackray Ltd. It is a mission-led charity dedicated to advancing medical understanding through heritage, education and research. The Trust is home to the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, which holds over 47,000 objects chronicling medical history. Its ethos connects historical innovations to contemporary needs, with a focus on public awareness, knowledge dissemination and improved medical supply, especially for underserved populations. TMRT primarily sustains the museum’s operations, capital projects and learning programmes, while awarding selective external grants for medical history research and supply interventions. Funding is relationship-driven and by invitation only.

What Thackray Medical Research Trust funds

TMRT supports work in medical history, heritage, education and public health. Core funding sustains the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, including its operations, capital projects and learning programmes that engage schoolchildren and underserved communities. External grants, awarded sparingly, fund academic research on medical history, publications and initiatives that enhance the supply of medical products in resource-poor settings. Beneficiaries of this work include researchers, students, the public and vulnerable groups, both nationally and internationally. The Trust has a strong connection to Leeds but also considers projects with wider reach that align with its objectives.

Who can apply

Only UK-registered charities and academic institutions are eligible for funding. TMRT works through pre-existing relationships and does not accept unsolicited applications. The Trust prioritises projects that align with its mission to advance medical understanding through heritage, education and research, with a particular interest in initiatives benefiting underserved populations. Organisations with a strong connection to Leeds are especially valued, though there are no formal geographic restrictions. There are no income thresholds or religious requirements.

What Thackray Medical Research Trust doesn't fund

TMRT does not support open calls, unrestricted aid, grassroots startups or unsolicited applications. Funding is limited to invite-only, relationship-driven partnerships. The Trust does not provide general operating costs for organisations outside its core museum support, nor does it fund projects that fall outside medical history, heritage education or medical supply in resource-poor settings.

How they like to fund

TMRT funds through invitation only, based on pre-existing relationships with UK-registered charities and academic institutions. It primarily provides ongoing support for the Thackray Museum of Medicine’s operations and capital projects, and awards project-specific grants for external initiatives. The Trust favours high-impact, mission-fit endeavours and does not welcome unsolicited approaches or open calls.

How much does Thackray Medical Research Trust give?

£5,000 – £25,000

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

Arts & cultureEducationHealth

How to apply to Thackray Medical Research Trust

Thackray Medical Research Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Thackray Medical Research Trust.
2
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3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Thackray Medical Research Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Thackray Medical Research Trust provide?

Thackray Medical Research Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £25,000.

Where does Thackray Medical Research Trust fund charities?

Thackray Medical Research Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Thackray Medical Research Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Thackray Medical Research Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Thackray Medical Research Trust?

Thackray Medical Research Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.