Oliver Bird Fund

Fund information

The Oliver Bird Fund aims to improve the well-being of individuals with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including rheumatoid diseases, through coordinated policy, practice, and research efforts.

Each grant round has a specific theme relating to living with MSK. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on this fund.

This fund is currently closed.

Background

Together, MSK conditions affect over 20 million people in the UK and are the single biggest cause of pain and disability. They pose challenges to living well right across the life course, and challenges are compounded when experiencing other forms of disadvantage.

The Foundation manages the Oliver Bird Fund, given to us to administer by Captain Bird in 1948. The fund aims to improve the well-being of individuals with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Since 2018, we have partnered with Versus Arthritis to increase the available funding.

In 2018, we funded six projects covering three themes. This included two large-scale programmes undertaking innovative data integration across a locality, with the potential for replication across the UK.   

Our second call in late 2021 focused on the links between musculoskeletal conditions and economic and social well-being. £1.94 million was awarded to support six teams, across five Universities.

Most recently, we have invested £2.4 million in five new research projects aimed at developing policies and solutions to improve the lives of those affected, and contribute to improving economic inactivity by helping more people with MSK conditions join, stay in, or return to employment.