Non-governmental organisations, Foundations and trusts These are large organisations that offer private sources of funding. Some were originally set up with endowments, either from private benefactors or government grants, and invest any profits in the research they fund into supporting new future activities. Others are private companies that invest part of their commercial profits into supporting research activities either to develop their own products or forward other subject areas.

			The Wellcome Trust An independent charity funding biomedical research to improve both human and animal health. The Trust has an endowment of approximately £13 billion and is the largest non-governmental source of funds for biomedical research in the UK.
			The Leverhulme Trust An Independent charity funding individuals in research and education in all subject areas. The Trust has an annual funding of approximately £40 million, the Trust is amongst the largest all subject providers of research funding in the UK
			National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Aims to support talent, innovation and creativity in the UK in order to improve the UK’s capacity for innovation. It does this by investing in promising early-stage companies, shaping innovation policy, and sharing best practice.