Advancing Education in Physiotherapy

About PPEF

We are a charitable trust dedicated to making a difference in physiotherapy. We offer grants to fund post-graduate education and research into physiotherapy that will benefit patients and the public.

PPEF was founded in 2001 as a Registered Charity and a Limited Company. The Charity owes its formation to its benefactor Kenneth Balfour who left a large part of his estate to the Organisation of Physiotherapists in Private Practice, the OCPPP (the previous name of Physio First).

We award grants widely within the physiotherapy profession three times a year, to both individuals and organisations. We also work closely with Physio First (although we are independent from this organisation).

The objectives of PPEF

Further physiotherapy knowledge and skill for the benefit of the public

We will achieve this by promoting and funding research and educational opportunities into physiotherapy. These will benefit physiotherapists, their patients and the wider public.

“Helping physiotherapy make a difference”

PPEF is a Charity (Registered Number 1005738) whose objects are;
The advancement of education in the field of physiotherapy for the benefit of the public, in particular by:

the provision of education and training in physiotherapy to the public at large and in particular :

  • to physiotherapy patients to enable such patients to relieve or assist in relieving their own suffering
  • to persons (professionally qualified or not) providing paid or voluntary care to any person in need of physiotherapy

the promotion of research and the dissemination to the public at large of the results of research in the field of physiotherapy

PPEF was founded in 2001 as a Registered Charity and a Limited Company. The Charity owes its formation to its benefactor Kenneth Balfour who left a large part of his estate to the Organisation of Physiotherapists in Private Practice, the OCPPP (the previous name of Physio First).

We award grants widely within the physiotherapy profession three times a year, to both individuals and organisations. We also work closely with Physio First (although we are independent from this organisation).

What and who do we support?

  • Post graduate physiotherapy education and research that benefits the public and / or the patient
  • Physiotherapy-led and Cutting edge / innovative research with sound methodology
  • Novice researchers
  • Those working individually or as part of a small organisation
  • Applicants who have adequate backup and support in order to carryout their research
  • Applicants undertaking MSc or PhD programmes
  • Applicants who share their work at conferences in the UK or internationally

Application for funding is open to physiotherapists registered with the HCPC (UK) who can apply as individuals or as part of any of the following; 

  • a charitable organisation
  • an educational organisation
  • a professional organisation
  • a university department
  • an NHS department

PPEF’s funding priorities require applications to;

  • be relevant to physiotherapy and the public
  • be physiotherapy-led
  • if research focussed, have sound criteria and methodology
  • if educational, contribute to the applicants’ practice development, evidence of CPD continuing professional development (which is required legally to maintain registration with the HPCP) and thus benefit their patients

They could also be;

  • collaborative projects which are likely to show an impact on a large population
  • comparative studies between different types of physiotherapy

Research and educational priorities are determined in line with national and professional (CSP) guidelines and particularly those which demonstrate clinical effectiveness and the effectiveness of private practice.

Physiotherapy priorities – top ten questions

Applications are assessed individually by each Trustee, using a scoring proforma, before meeting together to decide if further information from the applicant is required. All applications are measured/judged against

  • meeting the objectives of PPEF
  • meeting the criteria laid out in the application form
  • demonstrating patient/public benefit.

Funding precedence is given to first time applications, but successful candidates can apply for further funding a year after the first award if conditions are met and a project report received.