Where your money goes
BRACE is a “fundraising” charity but it is also, of course, a “fund-spending” charity. While you have been helping us build up our funds, the charity’s Trustees have been making sure that they are spent where they are needed.
In six meetings since November 2011, the Trustees have approved grants of more than £1.3 million. This sum is spread across several research projects in four universities (Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and the West of England).
Research projects generally last between two and three years. The latest round of grants means that BRACE funded research in progress at various times during 2012 has a total value of well over £2 million. Between them, the scientists working on these projects are helping to turn the tide against dementia.
It’s a great achievement and one that belongs to volunteers, donors and BRACE supporters of every kind.
We publish reports on different research projects in our newsletter and details of BRACE-funded research are updated from time to time on our website.
How research grants are approved
The ultimate beneficiaries of our work are people anywhere in the world who might one day develop dementia. To achieve this, we support research in universities in the West Country and Cardiff. Focusing on this region is a sensible strategy for a charity of our size, and we have helped create a formidable and growing network of researchers.
BRACE has its own Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) under the chairmanship of Professor Stephen Lisney, one of our Trustees. When a researcher approaches BRACE with a proposal, it is first assessed by the SAC to make sure that it falls within our current policy guidelines. If it is acceptable in principle, the proposal is then sent to three carefully selected peer reviewers, all experts in the appropriate area of research.
The SAC then considers the proposal and expert reviews in detail and decides whether to recommend funding. The final decision is taken by the Trustees on the basis of the SAC’s recommendation.
This rigorous process is necessary to ensure that the money you raise is spent where it is mostly likely to be effective in the fight against dementia.
