In 1971, Brain Research Trust was established to raise funds to support research at London's Institute of Neurology.
The charity had remarkable early success in attracting some major donations that enabled the creation of new academic posts, around which were shaped new research departments. We funded wide-ranging research into many different neurological conditions, as well as providing support for capital projects and infrastructure costs.
By 2016, we had provided funds of £40 million to support research and infrastructure at the Institute of Neurology. The decision was taken to broaden our geographical remit to enable us to fund research across the whole of the UK and we re-launched as Brain Research UK in 2017.
In 2021, we celebrate 50 years since the inception of Brain Research Trust. We have now invested £54 million in projects, people and infrastructure to help advance understanding of neurological conditions, to help people live better, longer.
Brain Research Trust is registered at the Charity Commission, to support research and investigation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London into diseases of the nervous system.
Brain Research Trust is registered at the Charity Commission, to support research and investigation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London into diseases of the nervous system.
Brain Research Trust is registered at the Charity Commission, to support research and investigation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London into diseases of the nervous system.
Brain Research Trust is registered at the Charity Commission, to support research and investigation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London into diseases of the nervous system.
Brain Research Trust is registered at the Charity Commission, to support research and investigation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London into diseases of the nervous system.
A £250,000 donation from the Miriam Marks Charitable Trust creates an endowment to fund research into dementia and brain degeneration in the Miriam Marks Department of Neurochemistry.
A £250,000 donation from the Miriam Marks Charitable Trust creates an endowment to fund research into dementia and brain degeneration in the Miriam Marks Department of Neurochemistry.
A £250,000 donation from the Miriam Marks Charitable Trust creates an endowment to fund research into dementia and brain degeneration in the Miriam Marks Department of Neurochemistry.
A £250,000 donation from the Miriam Marks Charitable Trust creates an endowment to fund research into dementia and brain degeneration in the Miriam Marks Department of Neurochemistry.
A £250,000 donation from the Miriam Marks Charitable Trust creates an endowment to fund research into dementia and brain degeneration in the Miriam Marks Department of Neurochemistry.
The Sobell Fund is established, following a donation of £250,000 from Sir Michael Sobell, to support a new Chair of Neurophysiology.
The Sobell Fund is established, following a donation of £250,000 from Sir Michael Sobell, to support a new Chair of Neurophysiology.
The Sobell Fund is established, following a donation of £250,000 from Sir Michael Sobell, to support a new Chair of Neurophysiology.
The Sobell Fund is established, following a donation of £250,000 from Sir Michael Sobell, to support a new Chair of Neurophysiology.
The Sobell Fund is established, following a donation of £250,000 from Sir Michael Sobell, to support a new Chair of Neurophysiology.
Professor Valentine Logue (left) is appointed to the ‘Gough Cooper Chair of Neurological Surgery’, endowed with a bequest of £300,000 from the estate of Mr Gough Cooper.
Professor Valentine Logue (left) is appointed to the ‘Gough Cooper Chair of Neurological Surgery’, endowed with a bequest of £300,000 from the estate of Mr Gough Cooper.
Professor Valentine Logue (left) is appointed to the ‘Gough Cooper Chair of Neurological Surgery’, endowed with a bequest of £300,000 from the estate of Mr Gough Cooper.
Professor Valentine Logue (left) is appointed to the ‘Gough Cooper Chair of Neurological Surgery’, endowed with a bequest of £300,000 from the estate of Mr Gough Cooper.
Professor Valentine Logue (left) is appointed to the ‘Gough Cooper Chair of Neurological Surgery’, endowed with a bequest of £300,000 from the estate of Mr Gough Cooper.
Research grants awarded to date total £1 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £1 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £1 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £1 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £1 million.
The first Brain Research Trust PhD studentships are awarded, to Chris Clark and Helen Doheny, for research focused on magnetic resonance techniques and antiepileptic drugs respectively.
The first Brain Research Trust PhD studentships are awarded, to Chris Clark and Helen Doheny, for research focused on magnetic resonance techniques and antiepileptic drugs respectively.
The first Brain Research Trust PhD studentships are awarded, to Chris Clark and Helen Doheny, for research focused on magnetic resonance techniques and antiepileptic drugs respectively.
The first Brain Research Trust PhD studentships are awarded, to Chris Clark and Helen Doheny, for research focused on magnetic resonance techniques and antiepileptic drugs respectively.
The first Brain Research Trust PhD studentships are awarded, to Chris Clark and Helen Doheny, for research focused on magnetic resonance techniques and antiepileptic drugs respectively.
We receive our biggest ever donation: £3.6 million from the estate of the late Leopold Muller. These funds are used to establish an endowment to support new neuroimaging facilities at the Institute of Neurology.
We receive our biggest ever donation: £3.6 million from the estate of the late Leopold Muller. These funds are used to establish an endowment to support new neuroimaging facilities at the Institute of Neurology.
We receive our biggest ever donation: £3.6 million from the estate of the late Leopold Muller. These funds are used to establish an endowment to support new neuroimaging facilities at the Institute of Neurology.
We receive our biggest ever donation: £3.6 million from the estate of the late Leopold Muller. These funds are used to establish an endowment to support new neuroimaging facilities at the Institute of Neurology.
We receive our biggest ever donation: £3.6 million from the estate of the late Leopold Muller. These funds are used to establish an endowment to support new neuroimaging facilities at the Institute of Neurology.
A gift from the Will of Miss Eileen Watts is used to set up the Watts Fund in memory of her brother Graeme, for research into motor neurone disease.
A gift from the Will of Miss Eileen Watts is used to set up the Watts Fund in memory of her brother Graeme, for research into motor neurone disease.
A gift from the Will of Miss Eileen Watts is used to set up the Watts Fund in memory of her brother Graeme, for research into motor neurone disease.
A gift from the Will of Miss Eileen Watts is used to set up the Watts Fund in memory of her brother Graeme, for research into motor neurone disease.
A gift from the Will of Miss Eileen Watts is used to set up the Watts Fund in memory of her brother Graeme, for research into motor neurone disease.
Research grants awarded to date total £10 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £10 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £10 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £10 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £10 million.
The Leopold Muller Functional Imaging Laboratory opens, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of neuroscientists to exploit rapidly evolving brain imaging technology to answer key biological questions about cognition.
The Leopold Muller Functional Imaging Laboratory opens, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of neuroscientists to exploit rapidly evolving brain imaging technology to answer key biological questions about cognition.
The Leopold Muller Functional Imaging Laboratory opens, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of neuroscientists to exploit rapidly evolving brain imaging technology to answer key biological questions about cognition.
The Leopold Muller Functional Imaging Laboratory opens, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of neuroscientists to exploit rapidly evolving brain imaging technology to answer key biological questions about cognition.
The Leopold Muller Functional Imaging Laboratory opens, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of neuroscientists to exploit rapidly evolving brain imaging technology to answer key biological questions about cognition.
Dr Linda Greensmith is appointed Graeme Watts Senior Research Fellow, funded by the Watts Fund, to lead a new programme of work focused on motor neurone disease.
Dr Linda Greensmith is appointed Graeme Watts Senior Research Fellow, funded by the Watts Fund, to lead a new programme of work focused on motor neurone disease.
Dr Linda Greensmith is appointed Graeme Watts Senior Research Fellow, funded by the Watts Fund, to lead a new programme of work focused on motor neurone disease.
Dr Linda Greensmith is appointed Graeme Watts Senior Research Fellow, funded by the Watts Fund, to lead a new programme of work focused on motor neurone disease.
Dr Linda Greensmith is appointed Graeme Watts Senior Research Fellow, funded by the Watts Fund, to lead a new programme of work focused on motor neurone disease.
We join the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to ensure the highest standards of rigour in our grant-making process.
We join the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to ensure the highest standards of rigour in our grant-making process.
We join the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to ensure the highest standards of rigour in our grant-making process.
We join the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to ensure the highest standards of rigour in our grant-making process.
We join the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to ensure the highest standards of rigour in our grant-making process.
Mrs Lyn Rothman starts the Parkinson’s Appeal to raise funds to enable research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Supported by these funds, the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at the Institute of Neurology is established in 2003 and pioneers the use of DBS in movement disorders.
Mrs Lyn Rothman starts the Parkinson’s Appeal to raise funds to enable research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Supported by these funds, the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at the Institute of Neurology is established in 2003 and pioneers the use of DBS in movement disorders.
Mrs Lyn Rothman starts the Parkinson’s Appeal to raise funds to enable research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Supported by these funds, the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at the Institute of Neurology is established in 2003 and pioneers the use of DBS in movement disorders.
Mrs Lyn Rothman starts the Parkinson’s Appeal to raise funds to enable research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Supported by these funds, the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at the Institute of Neurology is established in 2003 and pioneers the use of DBS in movement disorders.
Mrs Lyn Rothman starts the Parkinson’s Appeal to raise funds to enable research into deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Supported by these funds, the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at the Institute of Neurology is established in 2003 and pioneers the use of DBS in movement disorders.
We join the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
We join the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
We join the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
We join the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
We join the Institute of Fundraising (IoF), the professional membership body for UK fundraising.
Research grants awarded to date total £20 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £20 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £20 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £20 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £20 million.
Broadcaster Sheena McDonald presents our Brain Tumour Fellowship Appeal on the BBC Radio 4 Appeal of the Week, raising £54,000. With further funding from the Grand Charity of Freemasons and many other supporters, funds raised now total £462,000. Dr Nico Henriquez is recruited as the ‘Grand Charity Brain Tumour Research Fellow’.
Broadcaster Sheena McDonald presents our Brain Tumour Fellowship Appeal on the BBC Radio 4 Appeal of the Week, raising £54,000. With further funding from the Grand Charity of Freemasons and many other supporters, funds raised now total £462,000. Dr Nico Henriquez is recruited as the ‘Grand Charity Brain Tumour Research Fellow’.
Broadcaster Sheena McDonald presents our Brain Tumour Fellowship Appeal on the BBC Radio 4 Appeal of the Week, raising £54,000. With further funding from the Grand Charity of Freemasons and many other supporters, funds raised now total £462,000. Dr Nico Henriquez is recruited as the ‘Grand Charity Brain Tumour Research Fellow’.
Broadcaster Sheena McDonald presents our Brain Tumour Fellowship Appeal on the BBC Radio 4 Appeal of the Week, raising £54,000. With further funding from the Grand Charity of Freemasons and many other supporters, funds raised now total £462,000. Dr Nico Henriquez is recruited as the ‘Grand Charity Brain Tumour Research Fellow’.
Broadcaster Sheena McDonald presents our Brain Tumour Fellowship Appeal on the BBC Radio 4 Appeal of the Week, raising £54,000. With further funding from the Grand Charity of Freemasons and many other supporters, funds raised now total £462,000. Dr Nico Henriquez is recruited as the ‘Grand Charity Brain Tumour Research Fellow’.
Research grants awarded to date total £30 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £30 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £30 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £30 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £30 million.
We join The Neurological Alliance, a coalition of organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
We join The Neurological Alliance, a coalition of organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
We join The Neurological Alliance, a coalition of organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
We join The Neurological Alliance, a coalition of organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
We join The Neurological Alliance, a coalition of organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
Professor Rob Brownstone takes up the Brain Research Trust Chair of Neurosurgery, funded by our donation of £2.1 million.
Professor Rob Brownstone takes up the Brain Research Trust Chair of Neurosurgery, funded by our donation of £2.1 million.
Professor Rob Brownstone takes up the Brain Research Trust Chair of Neurosurgery, funded by our donation of £2.1 million.
Professor Rob Brownstone takes up the Brain Research Trust Chair of Neurosurgery, funded by our donation of £2.1 million.
Professor Rob Brownstone takes up the Brain Research Trust Chair of Neurosurgery, funded by our donation of £2.1 million.
The Charity Commission supports the broadening of our charitable objects to enable us to fund nationally.
The Charity Commission supports the broadening of our charitable objects to enable us to fund nationally.
The Charity Commission supports the broadening of our charitable objects to enable us to fund nationally.
The Charity Commission supports the broadening of our charitable objects to enable us to fund nationally.
The Charity Commission supports the broadening of our charitable objects to enable us to fund nationally.
Over 70 PhD studentships have now been funded at the Institute of Neurology.
Over 70 PhD studentships have now been funded at the Institute of Neurology.
Over 70 PhD studentships have now been funded at the Institute of Neurology.
Over 70 PhD studentships have now been funded at the Institute of Neurology.
Over 70 PhD studentships have now been funded at the Institute of Neurology.
We identify three priority research areas as the focus for our new national funding schemes: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.
We identify three priority research areas as the focus for our new national funding schemes: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.
We identify three priority research areas as the focus for our new national funding schemes: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.
We identify three priority research areas as the focus for our new national funding schemes: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.
We identify three priority research areas as the focus for our new national funding schemes: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.
We contribute £1 million capital funding to support the creation of a new building designed for, and dedicated to, translational neuroscience at the Institute of Neurology.
We contribute £1 million capital funding to support the creation of a new building designed for, and dedicated to, translational neuroscience at the Institute of Neurology.
We contribute £1 million capital funding to support the creation of a new building designed for, and dedicated to, translational neuroscience at the Institute of Neurology.
We contribute £1 million capital funding to support the creation of a new building designed for, and dedicated to, translational neuroscience at the Institute of Neurology.
We contribute £1 million capital funding to support the creation of a new building designed for, and dedicated to, translational neuroscience at the Institute of Neurology.
Research grants awarded to date total £40 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £40 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £40 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £40 million.
Research grants awarded to date total £40 million.
We launch as Brain Research UK, our new working name as approved by the Charity Commission.
We launch as Brain Research UK, our new working name as approved by the Charity Commission.
We launch as Brain Research UK, our new working name as approved by the Charity Commission.
We launch as Brain Research UK, our new working name as approved by the Charity Commission.
We launch as Brain Research UK, our new working name as approved by the Charity Commission.
We award the first grants under our new national funding schemes, two PhD studentships and three project grants, all focused on our three priority research areas.
We award the first grants under our new national funding schemes, two PhD studentships and three project grants, all focused on our three priority research areas.
We award the first grants under our new national funding schemes, two PhD studentships and three project grants, all focused on our three priority research areas.
We award the first grants under our new national funding schemes, two PhD studentships and three project grants, all focused on our three priority research areas.
We award the first grants under our new national funding schemes, two PhD studentships and three project grants, all focused on our three priority research areas.
Over 200 runners represent Brain Research UK in the London Marathon, our largest ever team. They raise more than £500,000.
Over 200 runners represent Brain Research UK in the London Marathon, our largest ever team. They raise more than £500,000.
Over 200 runners represent Brain Research UK in the London Marathon, our largest ever team. They raise more than £500,000.
Over 200 runners represent Brain Research UK in the London Marathon, our largest ever team. They raise more than £500,000.
Over 200 runners represent Brain Research UK in the London Marathon, our largest ever team. They raise more than £500,000.
The team at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL take delivery of a new, ultra-high field ‘7T’ MRI scanner – cutting edge technology that will transform their ability to study the detailed function of the brain. The costs are covered in part by the balance of funds remaining in the Muller endowment.
The team at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL take delivery of a new, ultra-high field ‘7T’ MRI scanner – cutting edge technology that will transform their ability to study the detailed function of the brain. The costs are covered in part by the balance of funds remaining in the Muller endowment.
The team at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL take delivery of a new, ultra-high field ‘7T’ MRI scanner – cutting edge technology that will transform their ability to study the detailed function of the brain. The costs are covered in part by the balance of funds remaining in the Muller endowment.
The team at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL take delivery of a new, ultra-high field ‘7T’ MRI scanner – cutting edge technology that will transform their ability to study the detailed function of the brain. The costs are covered in part by the balance of funds remaining in the Muller endowment.
The team at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL take delivery of a new, ultra-high field ‘7T’ MRI scanner – cutting edge technology that will transform their ability to study the detailed function of the brain. The costs are covered in part by the balance of funds remaining in the Muller endowment.
We collaborate with four other neuro charities as TeamBrain: Brain Tumour Research, Brain and Spine Foundation, Epilepsy Research UK and the National Brain Appeal. Plans are made to undertake various neuro awareness raising activities relating to the London Marathon 2020.
We collaborate with four other neuro charities as TeamBrain: Brain Tumour Research, Brain and Spine Foundation, Epilepsy Research UK and the National Brain Appeal. Plans are made to undertake various neuro awareness raising activities relating to the London Marathon 2020.
We collaborate with four other neuro charities as TeamBrain: Brain Tumour Research, Brain and Spine Foundation, Epilepsy Research UK and the National Brain Appeal. Plans are made to undertake various neuro awareness raising activities relating to the London Marathon 2020.
We collaborate with four other neuro charities as TeamBrain: Brain Tumour Research, Brain and Spine Foundation, Epilepsy Research UK and the National Brain Appeal. Plans are made to undertake various neuro awareness raising activities relating to the London Marathon 2020.
We collaborate with four other neuro charities as TeamBrain: Brain Tumour Research, Brain and Spine Foundation, Epilepsy Research UK and the National Brain Appeal. Plans are made to undertake various neuro awareness raising activities relating to the London Marathon 2020.
Neurosurgeon Yizhou Wan is awarded the first joint Brain Research UK – Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship.
Neurosurgeon Yizhou Wan is awarded the first joint Brain Research UK – Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship.
Neurosurgeon Yizhou Wan is awarded the first joint Brain Research UK – Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship.
Neurosurgeon Yizhou Wan is awarded the first joint Brain Research UK – Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship.
Neurosurgeon Yizhou Wan is awarded the first joint Brain Research UK – Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship.
The new Brain Research UK Miriam Marks Fellowship Scheme is launched in partnership with the Institute of Neurology, offering funding for research fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Antonella Spinazzola and Dr Jonathan Rohrer are awarded the first fellowships from this new scheme.
The new Brain Research UK Miriam Marks Fellowship Scheme is launched in partnership with the Institute of Neurology, offering funding for research fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Antonella Spinazzola and Dr Jonathan Rohrer are awarded the first fellowships from this new scheme.
The new Brain Research UK Miriam Marks Fellowship Scheme is launched in partnership with the Institute of Neurology, offering funding for research fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Antonella Spinazzola and Dr Jonathan Rohrer are awarded the first fellowships from this new scheme.
The new Brain Research UK Miriam Marks Fellowship Scheme is launched in partnership with the Institute of Neurology, offering funding for research fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Antonella Spinazzola and Dr Jonathan Rohrer are awarded the first fellowships from this new scheme.
The new Brain Research UK Miriam Marks Fellowship Scheme is launched in partnership with the Institute of Neurology, offering funding for research fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Antonella Spinazzola and Dr Jonathan Rohrer are awarded the first fellowships from this new scheme.
The fifth rounds of PhD studentships and project grants are awarded under our national calls for applications in our three priority areas. 11 PhD studentships and 18 project grants have now been funded.
The fifth rounds of PhD studentships and project grants are awarded under our national calls for applications in our three priority areas. 11 PhD studentships and 18 project grants have now been funded.
The fifth rounds of PhD studentships and project grants are awarded under our national calls for applications in our three priority areas. 11 PhD studentships and 18 project grants have now been funded.
The fifth rounds of PhD studentships and project grants are awarded under our national calls for applications in our three priority areas. 11 PhD studentships and 18 project grants have now been funded.
The fifth rounds of PhD studentships and project grants are awarded under our national calls for applications in our three priority areas. 11 PhD studentships and 18 project grants have now been funded.
Collaborative fundraising initiative Brainathlon is launched with Epilepsy Research UK and Brain Tumour Research, raising total funds of more than £60,000.
Collaborative fundraising initiative Brainathlon is launched with Epilepsy Research UK and Brain Tumour Research, raising total funds of more than £60,000.
Collaborative fundraising initiative Brainathlon is launched with Epilepsy Research UK and Brain Tumour Research, raising total funds of more than £60,000.
Collaborative fundraising initiative Brainathlon is launched with Epilepsy Research UK and Brain Tumour Research, raising total funds of more than £60,000.
Collaborative fundraising initiative Brainathlon is launched with Epilepsy Research UK and Brain Tumour Research, raising total funds of more than £60,000.
Our 50th anniversary of registration at the Charity Commission. To date we have awarded funding of £54 million.
Our 50th anniversary of registration at the Charity Commission. To date we have awarded funding of £54 million.
Our 50th anniversary of registration at the Charity Commission. To date we have awarded funding of £54 million.
Our 50th anniversary of registration at the Charity Commission. To date we have awarded funding of £54 million.
Our 50th anniversary of registration at the Charity Commission. To date we have awarded funding of £54 million.
