Research
A key part of the Brain and Spine Foundation’s mission is to promote research. When the Brain and Spine Foundation was started in 1992, its founders had identified certain conditions such as head injury and brain tumours that were not covered by other ‘condition specific’ charities. Research into these conditions remains under served by the charity sector.
During the Foundation’s early years (1992-1995) the first fundraising events and appeals were directed almost entirely towards raising funds for research. The first projects were started in 1995 and by 2002 the Foundation had spent just over £1 million on 15 research fellowships and projects. This funding has fostered significant successes, with four of the 15 researchers going on to leading positions in major neuroscience institutions, in the UK and aboard, and most have remained in the field. The input from the Brain and Spine Foundation was crucial for the three neurosurgeons who have now acquired both senior academic status and research funding at the highest level.
In 2003, the Foundation decided to attempt to generate new funds for research by targeting trusts and foundations to fund specific medical research projects. Despite careful research and submission of targeted applications there has been a lack of success in securing sufficient sums for this programme. The financial resources that the Foundation has expended on fundraising for medical research projects can no longer be justified in the present climate.
This decision does not signal an end to the Foundation’s involvement in medical research but is an acknowledgement of the difficulties a charity of this size faces when raising dedicated funds for medical research.
The Foundation will continue to be involved in research into the quality of life and patient and health professionals' experiences and, where possible, will lobby for increased resources to be directed into neurological research.
The Foundation's Council of Members will regularly review our position on medical research. The Foundation has retained its Research Committee's peer review and advisory capacity to oversee the Foundation's research work.
In 2003, the Foundation decided to attempt to generate new funds for research by targeting trusts and foundations to fund specific medical research projects. Despite careful research and submission of targeted applications there has been a lack of success in securing sufficient sums for this programme. The financial resources that the Foundation has expended on fundraising for medical research projects can no longer be justified in the present climate.
This decision does not signal an end to the Foundation’s involvement in medical research but is an acknowledgement of the difficulties a charity of this size faces when raising dedicated funds for medical research.
The Foundation will continue to be involved in research into the quality of life and patient and health professionals' experiences and, where possible, will lobby for increased resources to be directed into neurological research.
The Foundation's Council of Members will regularly review our position on medical research. The Foundation has retained its Research Committee's peer review and advisory capacity to oversee the Foundation's research work.
