Frequently Asked Questions

Please ensure that you have read the Frequently Asked Questions before completing the Application Form

What is the McClay Foundation?

Sir Allen McClay established The McClay Foundation on 31st July 2008, a company limited by guarantee having charitable status, one of the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Prior to this on 23rd May 1997, Sir Allen McClay had established The McClay Trust, a charitable trust constituted by a Declaration of Trust. Transfer of the assets of the Trust to the Foundation took place on 16th February 2009.

What are the Stratedic Focus areas of the McClay Foundation?

  • Research and Development of New Medicines;
  • Oncology research – targets and biomarkers;
  • Research led care for those in end of life, or life limited circumstances;
  • Activities to promote health and wellbeing in disenfranchised communities and geographical areas in the developed and the developing world.

Is my project eligible for support?

The McClay Foundation Trustees will consider all applications that meet the objectives of The McClay Foundation and which fall within one of the Strategic Focus Areas detailed above. The Trustees will consider applications from Companies, Charities or private individuals. Applicants should limit their applications to The McClay Foundation to one per year. Multiple applications from the same applicant are not accepted.

How do I apply for support?

Applicants must complete the on-line Grant Application Form on our website to be considered eligible. After answering all the relevant questions, click ‘Send’ to forward your application to The McClay Foundation. Guidance notes are contained within the on-line application to assist you with answering the questions. You will receive an email acknowledgement that your application was submitted.

Do I have to complete my form in one sitting?

The on-line application is devised across several webpages and entries can be saved at the end of each page. Applicants can save the form multiple times meaning it is not necessary to complete the form in one sitting.

What if my charity/organisation does not have a safeguarding policy?

Please state this in the application free text box and include a brief explanation setting out why your organisation does not have such policies and/or how your organisation deals with these matters in the absence of having such policies in place.

Will I receive a copy of my completed application?

Yes, you will receive a completed copy of your application submission for your records by email.

What happens after I submit my application?

The Trustees will review your application at the next board meeting of The McClay Foundation. This may be a number of months from when you have submitted your application and therefore an immediate response should not be expected.

The McClay Foundation has limited resources and therefore cannot support every project. If your application is unsuccessful The McClay Foundation will send you a response advising that support could not be provided.

If your application is eligible The McClay Foundation may ask for further information before offering funding. Please be advised that The McClay Foundation may not offer all of the grant that you have requested and a portion of support may only be available.

If I am successful what do I need to do?

If you are successful, you will be notified of this together with details of the level of funding to be provided. Any grant which is offered by The McClay Foundation will be subject to The McClay Foundation’s standard terms and conditions, and any additional terms required by the Trustees. The McClay Foundation will require evidence of how the money was used and the successful applicant will be required to provide supporting reports and documents. The McClay Foundation will at their discretion require regular updates on how the project is progressing.