In March 2023, we launched our Dunhill Medical Trust Academy and have since welcomed more than 300 members. As an inclusive network of researchers and community organisations dedicated to ageing-related research and evidence-informed practice, each member has signed up because of their drive to improve the lives of older people.
A network for anyone working in age-related services, research and innovation
The DMT Academy is the only UK network dedicated to bringing together and supporting researchers, clinicians and community innovators working within healthy-ageing.
Discipline and sector agnostic, our members range from research-ready community organisations working with older people, nurses and allied health professionals, academic and clinical researchers, as well as designers and innovators in the healthy-ageing space. Search our current members and read more about who can join.
Fostering a stronger, more connected healthy-ageing research community
The Academy is the ideal network to find new collaborators, mentors and advisors. For example, if you work in a community-led organisation and are looking to influence research and practice, you can search the member directory to find a researcher near you, who has the right specialism, to team up with.
Our notice boards are also the place to go to find the latest vacancies for research project roles and PhD fellowships, as well as news and events from around the ageing-related community. We also curate free member-only resources and online training.
A source of flexible funding
Academy researcher members can apply for up to £5,000 of flexible funding through our Ignition Fund. Members have used this fund to set up project focus groups, carry out patient, carer and public involvement and engagement, develop skills, and work with other labs or community organisations. The next deadline for applications is 6 December 2024, find out more about what Ignition funding can be used for and how to apply.
We also celebrate achievement and ambition in ageing-related research through our Academy Excellence Awards. Each year we award £120k each to one early-mid-career “rising star”, and one senior leader in ageing-related research. Meet this year’s award winners Professor Ilaria Bellantuono and Dr Jenni Burton to find out how they are using this flexible funding. Aimed to recognise those who have demonstrated excellence and a meaningful commitment to our research principles, nominations for our next Excellence Awards are now open until 4 November 2024.
Free support and training for community-facing organisations
We know that community organisations are often pressed for time, making it difficult to carve out the space and resources needed to make systemic, organisational change. Our Capability Development Programme is especially designed for community-facing organisations working to support older people to thrive in safe, healthy and well-connected homes and communities.
Free for Academy members, this programme is delivered via online webinars and videos which can be explored at your own pace or live. The programme covers impact measurement, creating financial sustainability, research collaboration, and organisational design thinking. Those taking part can apply for our end of programme residential and may qualify for a grant of up to £15k. The programme and webinars start this month and run until March 2025.
You can read how two previous participants used the programme to transform their fundraising strategy and measure the impact of their services.
What Academy members say
The DMT Academy is a great place to identify collaborators to support your research to progress
Dr Jenni Burton, University of Glasgow
We haven’t looked back since joining the Academy. It’s incredibly welcoming for community-led organisations as it fosters collaboration, amplifies voices, and provides invaluable resources for those addressing the social determinants of health. It’s a unique opportunity to drive positive change in our communities.
Alison Benzimra, United St Saviour’s Charity
The DMT Academy is unique in bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines – be they clinical, biomedical, or social – to improve the health of older people.
Dr Nicholas Evans, University of Cambridge
Looking for a mentor? Need a collaborator? Searching for funding to help plan a larger project? Or would you like to meet others from a variety of backgrounds who share your passion for working with and for older people? Then the DMT Academy is for you!
Dr Susanne Arnold, University of Warwick
I wish the DMT Academy was around when I entered the field of ageing. It is so helpful to find a welcoming and thriving community, open to supporting your research endeavours
Professor Ilaria Bellantuono, University of Sheffield
Join the DMT Academy today and invite a friend
We’re looking to welcome new Academy members during the month of October to help celebrate International Older People Day.
Ready to join? Signing up is easy. And if you’re funded by us, or have worked with us before, you can do so through your profile in our Grants Management System.
Already an Academy member? Please forward this invite to a colleague to help us grow the network further.
Is the Academy not the right fit for you? Then sign up to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with our news.