Nuffield Foundation
About This Funder
The Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust established in 1943 by William Morris, Lord Nuffield, advances educational opportunity and social well-being through evidence-led research that informs UK social policy and tackles pressing challenges like inequality and prosperity. Guided by values of independence, rigour, inclusivity, collaboration, and curiosity, it prioritises fairness and opportunity, evolving from post-war reconstruction to funding innovative, multidisciplinary projects. Distinctive for its financial and political independence, it founded expert centres like the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, and Ada Lovelace Institute, while emphasising high-impact research that reframes debates and builds capacity for early- to mid-career researchers.
It funds research, development, and analysis in education (e.g., disadvantage, teaching quality, young people's pathways, skills), welfare and justice (family/youth justice, social welfare), and emerging issues like digital technologies, AI's societal impacts, and musculoskeletal diseases via the Oliver Bird Fund. Supported activities include policy analysis, curriculum development, interventions, and programmes like Nuffield Research Placements for 16-17-year-olds and Q-Step for social science undergraduates. Beneficiaries are primarily disadvantaged children, young people, families, and communities facing social-economic inequalities.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions with no income/size restrictions or geographic limits beyond UK policy relevance, operating UK-wide across all nations. It accepts unsolicited two-stage applications (outline then full) biannually via online forms, with next deadline 6 October 2025 (decisions ~7-8 months later); contact for grants over £500k. Typical grants range £50,000-£300,000 (up to £750k, or £3m via Strategic Fund), covering revenue costs like staff and data—not capital, unrestricted/core funding—prioritising quantitative methods and ethical science implications for transformative policy change.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nuffield Foundation
How much funding does Nuffield Foundation provide?
Nuffield Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £50,000 - £300,000.
Is Nuffield Foundation accepting applications?
Yes, Nuffield Foundation is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Nuffield Foundation fund charities?
Nuffield Foundation funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Nuffield Foundation?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Nuffield Foundation, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.