Established in 2007, the Waterloo Foundation is a UK registered charity that provides grants for research in the areas of child development, the environment and world development.

Through its Child Development Research Grants, the Foundation funds projects into the psychological and behavioural development of children, and particularly in certain neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) and the factors that influence them. Calls are issued in particular subject areas as identified in the Research Strategy 2024-2027:

• Rolandic epilepsy
• Physical activity
• Motor coordination
• Nutrition and the microbiome

Funding focuses on co-occurrences, and the fact that each child possesses a singular brain. Whatever is happening for that child, in terms of neurodevelopmental growth, it is happening all in the same place (ie their brain). Co-occurrence poses a significant challenge for children with NDCs, particularly in the context of a singular brain controlling all elements of behaviour. When co-occurrence of neurodiverse traits is present, which is more often the case than not, it intensifies the complexity of managing behaviours.

Through the Foundation's funding, the aim is to help researchers and practitioners explore the best ways to help children with these combined challenges. By furthering understanding, better ways can be created to support them in school, at home and in social situations.

Funding encompasses both pure and applied research, giving precedence to projects with the most immediate impact on patient wellbeing. Pure research delves into mechanisms, causal factors, core deficits and co-occurrences of specific disorders. Applied research explores interventions for these disorders, emphasising cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, and direct involvement of parents and children.

Support is given to a wide range of projects, differing by research question, methodology and existing funding. The Foundation prefers to support a discrete piece of work rather than contributing towards a larger study (eg pilot data collection). Studentships can be supported, although this is generally only as a match funder.

In addition, funding is given in the area of dissemination of knowledge and best practice in the key areas of the Foundation's research interests for children, carers and professionals. The dissemination can either be by researchers themselves or by support groups, and can take the form of website development, helplines, newsletters, workshops or conferences. While there is a preference to focus on the funding priorities of motor coordination, nutrition and the microbiome, physical activity, and rolandic epilepsy, the Foundation will also consider dissemination applications related to broader interests in neurodevelopment, childhood trauma and sleep.

Application Procedure

There is a two-step application procedure consisting of an initial short application followed by an invited full application.

Initial applications for research projects concerning motor impairments should be submitted by the deadline of 20 October 2024.

The initial application deadline for research projects concerning nutrition and/or the microbiome is expected to take place in spring 2025.

The calls for research into rolandic epilepsy and dissemination projects are open all year round and applications can be submitted at any time.

Initial applications should be submitted by email and include the required information as instructed in the guidelines. Successful applications will be notified within two weeks (by email) with an invitation to prepare and submit a full application.

Funding is predominantly allocated to academic institutions, however, charities can be funded in certain circumstances. The general preference is for funds to go to a university (ie acting as the lead applicant) and for charity organisations to be co-applicants. Anyone with a PhD is eligible to apply as a Principal Investigator.

Applicants can be based in any country, however, there is a preference for research that will have direct benefit to children and families in the UK.

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