Kidney Research UK

Kidney Research UK, established in 1961 as the National Kidney Research Fund by clinicians and patients, is the UK's largest charity dedicated exclusively to funding research into preventing, treating, and managing kidney disease—a condition affecting millions with no cure. Its mission, guided by a 2030 Research Strategy, aims to eliminate suffering through four pillars: deepening understanding of kidney health, protecting function, advancing detection/treatment, and translating discoveries into patient care. Patient-focused and values-driven, it emphasises equality, transparency, collaboration, and evidence-based impact, allocating over 80% of funds to research while advocating for policy changes and health equity.

It supports innovative biomedical and clinical projects, PhD studentships, fellowships, career awards, start-up grants, and thematic programmes like the PKD Partnership, prioritising paediatric/rare diseases, health inequities, comorbidities, diagnostics, translational science, and dialysis/transplant improvements. Funds target academic institutions, NHS trusts, and UK research centres conducting high-impact work with clear patient pathways.

Eligible applicants are UK-based academic or clinical entities with no income restrictions, submitting unsolicited Expressions of Interest (EOI) online during open rounds, followed by full applications for shortlisted proposals. Peer-reviewed by experts, grants range from £10,000 (pilots) to £250,000 (multi-year projects), with PhDs/fellowships at £65,000–£110,000. 2025 deadlines include January (Translation Accelerator), April–June (major projects), May–June (paediatric/rare), and others—check website. Exclusions cover core costs, capital, or non-research activities; its distinctive national leadership, sole kidney focus, and rigorous patient-relevance set it apart for UK researchers tackling kidney challenges.