John Innes Foundation

The John Innes Foundation (JIF), established in 1910 through a bequest from City of London landowner John Innes, is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to advancing knowledge of plants and microbes for societal, environmental, and commercial benefit. It supports scientific research, education, training, and public engagement in plant science, horticulture, biochemistry, and genetics, stewarding its legacy by owning key properties at Norwich Research Park—home to the John Innes Centre, Sainsbury Laboratory, and Earlham Institute. JIF's distinctive ethos emphasizes bridging fundamental research with practical applications, fostering innovation in agriculture through catalytic, long-term grants and deep partnerships with institutions like the University of East Anglia.

It prioritizes funding for plant genetics, crop improvement, horticultural science, and microbial biology, including the renowned PhD Rotation Programme at the John Innes Centre, annual agricultural bursaries for young people from non-farming backgrounds, public engagement initiatives, diversity lectures, sustainable development projects, historical archives, and capital infrastructure at Norwich Research Park. Beneficiaries include research students, early-career scientists, and academic institutions, with a focus on training the next generation and promoting inclusion in science.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions based in Norfolk, particularly those connected to Norwich Research Park; medium-to-large organizations are preferred, with rare support for smaller groups. Typical grants range from £89,000 to £750,000 over 2-5 years, plus fellowships (£161,000-£333,000) and studentships. Unsolicited applications are accepted via email (single PDF to clerk@johninnesfoundation.org.uk) with deadlines of 31 January, 30 May, and 30 September; trustee meetings follow quarterly, with notifications within two months. Separate processes apply for bursaries (31 October 2025) and PhD programmes (13 November 2025). Exclusions include individuals (except schemes), core costs (unless programme-integrated), and projects lacking Norwich ties or measurable impact.