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Grant Processing Guidelines

about get ahead grants

The Get A-Head Charitable Trust is a grant-giving charity based in England and Wales, dedicated to head and neck disease, especially cancer. Please read on for more information about the type of grants we provide.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR APPLICATION? CONTACT GET A HEAD

OUR KEY PRIORITIES ARE:

Our objective is to directly help improve the quality of life for those experiencing head and neck diseases, especially cancer, and their carers. We feel this can be done by funding four main areas:

Education – Enabling healthcare professionals to attend up-to-date, expert-led courses and events that contribute to their professional development; so they can provide the best care for head and neck cancer patients. Through our communications, collaborations and advocacy work, we raise awareness of signs and symptoms, the importance of vaccinations, and other important issues – in order to improve public education, and reduce late stage diagnosis of head and neck cancer. 

Research – Investing in the future. We fund research projects led by scientists, NHS workers, PhD students; individuals and groups who are working towards our mission. This includes nationwide research into inequalities; effective utilising of AI, technology and innovation; ensuring everyone and anyone gets fair, inclusive access to quality care. 

Equipment – Funding cutting-edge, specialist pieces of equipment that are financially inaccessible to the NHS, bringing the highest quality of treatment to head and neck cancer patients.

Patient Support – Providing grants to organisations that directly support patients and carers, who experience head and neck cancer. This can take any form, from support groups to direct cost of living grants; all with the intention of supporting patients at a difficult time.

Read our Impact Report here to see this mission in action. 

Funding is given to areas such as:

  • State-of-the-art equipment that is above NHS provision
  • Research
  • Improvements to the patient experience
  • Training and development for healthcare professionals

What we cannot fund:

  • Projects that are normally funded by the NHS
  • Projects that are undertaken outside England & Wales
  • Projects that are not related to head and neck disease – we cannot fund research into brain injury or disease

How to apply

To apply for a grant, download the application form below and complete it, ensuring the following is included:

  • how much you are applying for
  • what this will pay for, the need you have identified and how this fills it
  • how this fulfils the charity’s criteria outline above
  • confirmation that this is not funded by the NHS
  • how you intend to measure the outcomes and effects of the project
  • an outline budget, including funding to be received from any other source(s)
  • your timeframe

Please note, if you would prefer your application details not to be used for media purposes, please email Laura here (you can also find the email address in website footer).

ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION FORM

How the application will be processed

  1. Applications can be made at any time of year through the website only.
  2. Applications will be acknowledged within three weeks of receipt.
  3. The applicant will be informed of the date of the trustees’ meeting at which the application will be considered.
  4. Applications received at least one calendar month before the trustee meeting date will be considered at the next meeting. Those submitted less than month before a meeting, will be considered at the subsequent meeting. See dates below.
  5. If the application is ineligible, a letter of rejection will be sent. If there is insufficient information for the trustees to consider the application, you will be advised, and the onus will be on you to provide the information in good time.
  6. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  7. The trustees meet four times a year and applications are normally considered at the next meeting following submission.
  8. In certain circumstances applications of up to £5000 can be considered outside of a trustees’ meeting. However, this is at the discretion of the trustees and should not be expected.
  9. Grant applications over £50k for research will be peer reviewed. Where there is a conflict of interest, all applications will be peer reviewed.
  10. Applicants will be notified, in writing, of the result of their application within three weeks of the trustees’ meeting at which the application was considered.
  11. Successful applicants will be expected to provide an evaluation report following the award of the grant, outlining the outcomes. Details of what will be required will be advised to the successful applicants.
  12. Successful applicants will be expected to be involved in PR for Get A-Head around the award of the grant and outcomes.


2026 Trustee Meeting Dates:

  • 15th June 2026
  • 23rd September 2026
  • 9th December 2026