The CSP Charitable Trust is an independent charitable organisation. It has supported physiotherapy education and research through annual funding awards to CSP members.
The CSP Charitable Trust (CSPCT) provided research project funding for novice and inexperienced researchers and support for a range of professional development activities.
The CSPCT is registered as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).
The final award round ahead of CSPCT closure has closed. The trust is no longer accepting applications.
CSPCT closure statement
The CSPCT was originally established in 1980 as an independent charitable organisation. Since 2021, the Trust has been registered as a CIO.
The CSPCT was formed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), with the core aim of supporting the advancement of education and research in subjects relevant to the practice of physiotherapy, through annual awards to CSP members. The awards fund research projects for both novice and experienced researchers, and provide support for a range of professional development activities.
Historically, the charity received the vast majority of its income from an annual donation from the CSP, complemented by occasional bequests and legacies from members, member groups and external organisations. The CSP’s last donation was in 2018, and since then, the charity has utilised its reserves to fund its awards.
The CSPCT is now close to exhausting its reserves and will be unable to continue to operate beyond 2026. Live awards and awards committed to date will be honoured. The final call for education and research awards has now closed.
The charity has been informed that the CSP Council will consider what ongoing role the society will play in supporting education and research this year, and will communicate this to the membership accordingly following any decisions made.
Queries related to CSPCT closure should be directed to either CSPCT@csp.org.uk, or prfaward@csp.org.uk (for research awards) and edawards@csp.org.uk (for education awards).
As the CSPCT is a separate entity to the CSP, queries about the society’s plans, in terms of establishing any research and education awards of its own, should be directed to enquiries@csp.org.uk.
Allocation of Trust monies
Two independent CSPCT panels had oversight of the allocation of awards:
Charity Commission
Further details about the Charitable Trust's work and annual reports can be found on the Charity Commission website.
- CSPCT Scientific Panel: annual funding for research projects to novice researchers and those with some research experience, provided through both response mode and commissioned research.
- CSPCT Education Awards Panel: annual funding for a range of education and research activities (accredited courses, presentations, study visits, overseas elective placements) to physiotherapy associates, student members and chartered physios.
The above panels followed a robust process of application review and approval by experts in the fields of clinical practice, education and research. Panellists were selected from the CSP membership and appropriate external organisations.
The following strategy and policy documents were applied during application review processes:
Awards summary
The tables below show categories of funding awarded in 2025:
Education Awards - Awarded to Chartered, Student and Associate members
| Fund | Purpose |
| Academically Accredited Courses Award | Academically accredited courses |
| Education and Development Placements Award | Overseas education & development projects, physiotherapy research/study visits, UK and overseas elective placements |
| Conference and Presentation Award | UK and overseas conference presentations |
Research Awards - Awarded to Chartered members only
| Fund | Purpose |
| Programme Development Award Scheme | For post-doctoral researchers. Interdisciplinary and collaborative programme covering several strategic work packages |
| Post-Doctoral Scheme | For post-doctoral researchers yet to secure their first major project grant |
| Pre-Doctoral Scheme | For pre-doctoral researchers supported by one or more experienced supervisors |
| Open Access Award | Open Access publication in Physiotherapy Journal |
Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) Impact Report
To understand more about the impact that funding the research awards has had, please download the report below.
Privacy policy
This privacy notice details how your data will be used and stored by the CSP Charitable Trust.