Research Trust Fund

Many hospitals in New South Wales have the highest levels of expertise for research in schizophrenia but are unable to undertake that research due to a lack of funds. The Research Trust Fund (RTF) was established because many Fellowship members identified that research was their primary concern - their "long-term hope for a solution". The capital raised by the Fund is held in perpetuity and interest earned (over and above the effects of inflation) is used to finance research in NSW.

The first batch of grants was made in 1993, the second in 1995, the third in 1999 and most recently, in 2001. By thus ensuring that existing staff and facilities are re-directed towards schizophrenia, it has been said that "we pay for the icing but get the whole cake".

The Trustees of the Fund are advised by a financial management board for the investment of funds and by independent, interstate experts for the choice of research projects to support. The Trustees are all unpaid volunteers and their advisers also give their services free of charge.

Any kind of research into schizophrenia qualifies for consideration for funding, provided it is conducted in NSW and satisfies criteria set out by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The Fellowship's Research Trust Fund is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a charity (Registered Charity No. CC26807) for which donations are tax deductible.

Donations can be made on a one-off or annual basis to establish large or small sums held in perpetuity in memory of a loved one or as donations to the Fund in a will.