Sanita Merali Trust

The Sanita Merali Trust, established on 19 September 2008 in Sheffield by the Merali family in memory of Sanita Merali—an NHS midwife and breast cancer patient—advances medical research, particularly in cancer and neuro-degeneration, while enhancing community facilities for inclusivity. Guided by values of compassion, scientific progress, and social equality, the family-led trustees prioritize projects preventing patient hardships like Sanita's, emphasizing innovation, expert-led research, and public benefit through transparent, charity-compliant operations. Its distinctive approach involves sustained, multi-year commitments to transformative outcomes, such as funding University of Sheffield initiatives on breast cancer bone metastasis, oncology fellowships, and PET-MRI scanners, alongside support for the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience.

The Trust funds medical research (with a strong breast cancer focus), capital equipment, research posts, and community improvements promoting equality, health, education, disability support, and overseas aid. Beneficiaries include patients via cutting-edge science, with grants targeting rigorous, evidence-based projects yielding tangible healthcare advancements; it supports organizations over individuals but allows both per its deed.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions of medium-to-large size with research track records; while geographically unrestricted, it favors Sheffield-based projects with UK-wide impact. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—funding is invite-only via direct trustee contact, with ad hoc decisions and no deadlines or formal process.

Typical grants range £50,000–£100,000 over multiple years for projects or core research costs, excluding emergency relief, unrestricted, or seed funding. Uniquely personal and outcome-driven, it differentiates through deep ties to Sheffield academia and a legacy-fueled passion for oncology breakthroughs benefiting future generations.