NeuroSurgical Research Foundation

What NeuroSurgical Research Foundation does

NeuroSurgical Research Foundation (NRF) is an Australian charitable foundation established in 1963 and headquartered in South Australia. It funds and coordinates neuroscience research across four core areas — brain tumours, stroke, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries — operating with approximately 15 staff and a network of partner institutions that includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Flinders University, and SAHMRI. The foundation operates the SA Neurological Tumour Bank and underwrites investigator-initiated clinical research, including the KARPOS CAR-T cell therapy trial, a Trifluoperazine drug-repurposing study (approximately $300,000), and the LEVI'S-CATCH DIPG study.

NRF's business model is community-driven philanthropy: income is generated through individual donations, corporate partnerships, merchandise sales, and event-based campaigns led by volunteers, with the annual Grey May appeal as the flagship. Funds are disbursed as research grants, fellowships, clinical trial co-funding, and direct clinical service funding, including a $375,000 three-year commitment to a state-wide brain cancer support nurse in partnership with SA Health. In 2021 the foundation incorporated Brain Tumour Research SA (BTRSA) as a subsidiary to consolidate brain-tumour-specific research activity. Corporate partnerships span pharmaceutical and medical-device firms (Servier, B. Braun), oncology and diagnostics providers (ICON Cancer Centre, Jones Radiology), and retail (Foodland Frewville and Pasadena), while major family foundations (Fay Fuller, Wilkins Family, James & Diana Ramsay) anchor the high-value donor base.

Name

NeuroSurgical Research Foundation

Legal name

NeuroSurgical Research Foundation

Website

https://nrf.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NeuroSurgical Research Foundation is a 1963-established South Australian charity that funds neuroscience research on brain tumours, stroke, neurodegeneration, and brain/spinal injuries via community donations, grants, and clinical trial co-funding across hospital and university partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Research Charity

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public) (HLAJALAB)

Keywords

• Neurosurgical research funding
• Brain tumour research
• Charitable fundraising
• Medical research grants
• Community health charity

Headquarters

HQ city

North Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: NRF receives charitable donations from individuals, community fundraising events, and appeals. Events include Grey May campaigns, City-Bay fun runs, movie fundraisers, and The Bigger Gig TBI fundraiser. Merchandise sales (brain socks, awareness ribbons, Christmas cards, books) also generate funds.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with organizations including SA Health for state-wide brain cancer support nurse funding, Foodland supermarkets for community fundraising, and pharmaceutical/medical device companies for research sponsorships.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including brain socks, awareness ribbons, beanie, t-shirts, Christmas cards, and books with proceeds supporting research.
4. General Appeals: The Neurosurgical General Appeal and specific appeals for brain tumour research, stroke research, and other neurosurgical conditions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The NeuroSurgical Research Foundation is a charitable non-profit foundation that funds research into the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the brain, spine, and nerves, including brain tumours, stroke, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain/spinal injury. It raises funds through donations, community fundraising events, merchandise sales, corporate partnerships, and grants, and channels them into research grants, clinical trials, the SA Neurological Tumour Bank, and patient support services including the State-wide Brain Cancer Support Nurse.

Product overview

The NeuroSurgical Research Foundation (NRF) is a charitable organization funding neurosurgical research, not a traditional technology product company. The organization's offerings consist of merchandise items (Brain Socks, Awareness Ribbons, Christmas Cards, Brave for Dave Merchandise, City to Bay T-Shirts, books), fundraising services (Donation Platform, Star of Hope Virtual Appeal), a research initiative (Brain Tumour Research SA), and community events (The Bigger Gig TBI Fundraiser, City-Bay Fun Run, Grey May Campaign). These offerings collectively support funding for research into brain tumours, stroke, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain/spinal injury.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brain Tumour Research South Australia (BTRSA): A subsidiary organization established to foster and enhance brain tumour research in South Australia, enhancing researcher-researcher and researcher-clinician interaction and collaboration.
• Star of Hope
• Grey May

Products and services

• Brain Socks Branded socks priced at $17 per pair available in blue (NRF Brain Research) and grey (Brain Tumour Research) designs, with proceeds supporting brain and brain tumour research in South Australia.
• NRF Awareness Ribbons Awareness ribbons in grey (Brain Tumour Research), yellow/gold (Childhood Cancer Research), and green (Traumatic Brain Injury Research), with Australian postage included.
• Christmas Cards Christmas cards and gift tags featuring Golden Dove, Emu, Aboriginal Art, Candles, and Yellow Star designs, priced between $0.90 and $1.00 per item, with proceeds supporting neurosurgical research.
• Brave for Dave Merchandise Fundraising apparel including adult and kids t-shirts ($15-$30), sweatshirts ($50), polo shirts ($45), and beanies ($25), supporting brain tumour research in memory of Dave who passed away from glioblastoma.
• City to Bay T-Shirts NRF branded T-shirts provided to participants who raise $100 or more for the City-Bay Fun Run event, supporting neurosurgical research.
• Critter's Choice Book A book of hope, love, loss, life and death written by Cherrie Adams after the loss of her son Christopher 'Critter' Adams from brain cancer aged 26, with all proceeds going to brain tumour research.
• Donald Simpson Biography Book Biography of Donald Simpson, co-founder of the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation, covering his career in neurosurgery from Adelaide to Oxford and humanitarian activities, with all proceeds funding the Donald Simpson Neuroscience Scholarship.
• NRF Donation Platform (Neurosurgical General Appeal) Online donation platform enabling supporters to donate to the Neurosurgical General Appeal, brain tumour research, and other specific fundraising campaigns.
• NRF Star of Hope Virtual Appeal Annual Christmas virtual appeal allowing supporters to send, dedicate, or buy stars in memory or honour of those affected by brain tumours, Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury.
• The Bigger Gig TBI Fundraiser Annual fundraising event featuring live music by local bands with a $25 entry fee, raising funds for Traumatic Brain Injury Research, hosted by Tyler Fuller at Uni Bar Adelaide.
• City-Bay Fun Run (NRF Team Neuro) NRF Team Neuro participation in the annual City-Bay Fun Run, inviting supporters to join the team and raise funds for neurosurgical research.
• Grey May Campaign Annual awareness and fundraising campaign for brain tumour research held each May, featuring community events, lab tours, symposiums, cocktail parties, and corporate partner activations across South Australia. Grey May 2026 raised over $190,000 for brain tumour research.
• Brain Tumour Research SA (BTRSA) Research initiative established in 2021 to foster and enhance research into the cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of brain tumours in South Australia, operating in collaboration with the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Grey May 2026 raised over $190,000 for brain tumour research
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• SA HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SA Health partnered with NRF to fund the first-ever SA State-wide Brain Cancer Support Nurse in 2024, contributing $100,000 per annum toward the $375,000 3-year funding commitment. The nurse has assisted over 75 families in the first six months.
• Adelaide University Centre for Cancer BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner hosting the majority of NRF-funded researchers and research activities. NRF is the largest funder of brain tumour research at this institution.
• SAHMRI (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRF researchers including Dr Cedric Bardy are based at SAHMRI, conducting research in the Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology, Genetics & Stem Cells.
• Flinders UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlinders University hosts NRF board member Dr Nick Vrodos (Head of Neurosurgery, Flinders Medical Centre) and various NRF-funded researchers including those at the SA Neurological Tumour Bank.
• University of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniSA is a key research partner through the Centre for Cancer Biology alliance and hosts Prof Stuart Pitson's Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory.
• Munno Para FoodlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-time community partner supporting Grey May through checkout token promotions, merchandise sales, and raffles. Also funded Dr Briony Gliddon's sphingosine kinase research.
• Frewville Foodland and Pasadena FoodlandsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerNew community partners in 2026 Grey May campaign supporting through checkout promotions and community fundraising activities.
• Jones Radiology and Radiology SAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRadiology practice that turned routine appointments into research support by donating $10 from every brain MRI performed throughout Grey May 2026.
• ServiersecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring the Grey May 2026 Brain Tumour Research in Action symposium and lab tour event.
• B. BraunsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical device company sponsoring the Grey May 2026 Brain Tumour Research in Action symposium and lab tour event.
• ICON Cancer CentresecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer treatment centre sponsoring the Grey May 2026 Brain Tumour Research in Action symposium and lab tour event.
• Royal Adelaide HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor teaching hospital where NRF Chair of Neurosurgical Research Dr Adam Wells works and where KARPOS CAR-T clinical trial is conducted.
• Women's and Children's Hospital AdelaidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaediatric neurosurgery centre hosting NRF board member Dr Xenia Doorenbosch and supporting paediatric brain tumour research.
• Flinders Medical CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor hospital hosting Dr Nick Vrodos as Head of Neurosurgery and Assoc Prof Santosh Poonnoose, Director of SA Neurological Tumour Bank.
• Memorial HospitalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate hospital supporting community stands during Grey May and hosting neurosurgical services.
• Calvary Adelaide HospitalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital supporting community stands during Grey May and hosting neurosurgical services.
• Sydney Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEVI'S-CATCH clinical trial site for CAR-T therapy in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, in collaboration with Dr David Ziegler.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Brain Tumor Society: Largest US-based non-profit dedicated to brain tumour research and policy advocacy. Comparable in research-grantmaking mission and clinical trial support, with substantially larger fundraising scale and policy influence.
• Mark Hughes Foundation: Australian not-for-profit dedicated to brain cancer research funding and awareness, founded by former NRL player Mark Hughes. Comparable in disease focus (brain cancer) and fundraising-driven model, with NRL-led community fundraising events analogous to NRF's Grey May campaign.
• Children's Cancer Institute: Australia's largest childhood cancer research facility, funding paediatric oncology research including brain tumours. Comparable in disease-specific research funding mission and partnership with academic medical centres, but operates at national scale with significantly larger research budget.
• The Brain Tumour Charity: UK's largest dedicated brain tumour charity, funding research, support services, and awareness. Closely comparable in mission scope (research funding + patient support) but operates at UK national scale with significantly larger funding base.
• Cure Brain Cancer Foundation: Australia's leading brain cancer research charity, funding research, advocacy, and clinical trials nationally. Closely comparable to NRF in mission (brain tumour research funding) but operates at national scale with a much larger donor base.
• Charlie Teo Foundation: Australian foundation founded by neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, funding brain cancer research with emphasis on novel/underfunded approaches. Comparable in neurosurgical-led governance and focus on brain cancer research, with different geographic scope (national vs SA-focused).

Others

• Adelaide Medical School / University of Adelaide: Major research institution and partner of NRF through the Centre for Cancer Biology alliance. Comparable as a host of NRF-funded brain tumour research, but functions as an academic institution rather than a grantmaking foundation.

Regional players

• Coopers Brewery Foundation: South Australian charitable foundation that previously employed NRF Executive Officer Ginta Orchard. Comparable as a SA-based community grantmaking foundation, though with broader health/community funding scope rather than disease-specific focus.
• Flinders Foundation: South Australian health research fundraising foundation linked to Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre — both NRF institutional partners. Comparable in regional research fundraising model and hospital partnership structure, with broader health research scope.
• Cancer Council SA: South Australian arm of Australia's leading cancer charity, funding local cancer research including brain cancer and providing patient support services. Comparable in geographic focus (SA) and patient support model, with broader cancer scope beyond brain tumours.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NeuroSurgRF
• Facebookfacebook.com/NeuroSurgical-Research-Foundation-159119586433
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/neurosurgical-research-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/neurosr_foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NeuroSurgical Research Foundation