Charities supporting doctors in crisis and undertaking research into how fatigue is affecting medical professionals are among those being backed by this year’s BMA Giving awards.

The annual award scheme, which sees the association select and grant funds to UK-registered charities that reflect the mission, vision and values of the BMA, has today announced the recipients for 2026.

BMA Giving this year provided £75,000 to a total of 10 organisations. Among the successful applicants to this year’s scheme was the RMBF (Royal Medical Benevolent Fund).

Founded almost 200 years ago, the RMBF gives assistance to doctors, medical students and their families, with the organisation relying entirely on voluntary donations to support its activities.

The BMA’s grant will aim to fund emergency financial assistance for doctors facing financial crises owing to illness, injury and bereavement, while the RMBF continues to develop a long-term support programme for medical professionals in need.

This year’s BMA Giving also granted an award to the Sleep Charity to support it in developing a sleep and fatigue support digital portal for BMA members as part of a 12‑month pilot programme.

Through the eventual development of an evidence‑based information resource tailored to doctors’ working patterns, the project ultimately aims to provide proactive support to doctors to help improve their sleep, resilience, and patient safety.

Made up of a committee of association members, BMA Giving is chaired by former BMA president Martin McKee (pictured top).

Reflecting on this year’s award scheme, which saw more than 50 applications, Professor McKee said he and his colleagues had been inundated with highly worthy and deserving entries.

He said: ‘As BMA Giving chair, I extend my and the committee’s thanks for all of the many worthy and deserving entries to this year’s awards programme, and congratulations to all our grant recipients.  

‘With so many highly impressive applications, the selection process for grants is never easy. However, it is an enormous honour to be able to support those seeking to advance the BMA’s aims and ideals.’

The full list of successful applicants to this year’s awards:

• African Hospital Libraries
• BMA Charities
• David Nott Foundation
• Doctors of the World UK
• Medical Justice
• On Call Africa
• Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
• Second Sight
• The Cameron Fund
• The Sleep Charity

Find out more about BMA Giving