Needham Research Institute
Could Needham Research Institute fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £40,322
- Where they fund
- Cambridge, UK
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Email application
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card
nri.cam.ac.ukAbout Needham Research Institute
The Needham Research Institute is a Cambridge-based registered charity and research centre, founded in 1968 as the East Asian History of Science Trust and later renamed. Located on the grounds of the University of Cambridge, its mission is to advance the study of science, technology, and medicine in East Asia, inspired by Joseph Needham's legacy and his landmark series, Science and Civilisation in China. The Institute houses a specialist library and Needham's personal archive, serving as a global hub for scholars. It supports individual researchers through targeted fellowships and awards, with a strong emphasis on rigorous scholarship, international collaboration, and public outreach. The Institute funds individual academics and researchers—not organisations—working in the history of East Asian science, technology, and medicine. All fellowships are based in Cambridge, UK, and support periods of 6 or 12 months. Applicants must hold a PhD and be employed in a full-time academic position. The Institute is distinctive for its unique archival resources and its long-term commitment to continuing Needham's work.
What Needham Research Institute funds
The Institute funds research and training in the history of science, technology, and medicine in East Asia, with a particular focus on China. Specific themes include the history of mathematics, astronomy, alchemy, Daoism, gunpowder, and materia medica, reflecting the research interests of Professor Ho Peng Yoke. Grants cover essential expenses such as subsistence and travel for the duration of the fellowship. All fellowships are based in Cambridge, UK, and support individual research projects. The Institute does not fund work outside the history of East Asian science or non-academic projects.
Who can apply
Individual academics and researchers are eligible, provided they hold a PhD and are employed in a full-time academic position. The Institute welcomes scholars from around the world, though some programmes specify criteria such as being US-based (Li Foundation Fellowships) or working on themes aligned with Professor Ho's interests. Fellows must be based in Cambridge for the duration of the award. There are no faith requirements.
What Needham Research Institute doesn't fund
The Institute does not fund organisations, core funding, capacity building, or non-academic projects. It does not support general charities, communities, or work outside the history of East Asian science, technology, and medicine.
How they like to fund
The Institute offers one-off fellowships for periods of 6 or 12 months, providing grants to cover subsistence and travel. All fellowships are based in Cambridge, UK, and support individual research projects in the history of East Asian science, technology, and medicine. Funding is awarded through advertised calls for applications.
How much does Needham Research Institute give?
Needham Research Institute runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 39 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~2 weeks
- Single-year grants
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~2 weeks
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~2 weeks
- Single-year grants
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Needham Research Institute funds — and what they won't
Preference will be given to those working on a subject in line with Professor Ho’s own research interests, such as the history of mathematics, astronomy, alchemy, Daoism, gunpowder and materia medica
Good to know
How to apply to Needham Research Institute
Needham Research Institute takes applications via email application.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Needham Research Institute's application asks
We hold the question from Needham Research Institute's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“A research proposal of approximately 1,500 words in length. This proposal should give a clear indication of the source material which the candidate proposes to use in his or her research together with an indication of the methodology to be followed. Candidates are asked to explain why a visit to the UK in general and the NRI in particular would be valuable for their research.”
Max 1500 words
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Needham Research Institute could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Needham Research Institute provide?
Needham Research Institute runs 4 grant programmes — Ho Peng Yoke Fellowship in the History of Science and Technology in China: £9,000 – £18,000 · Soon-Young Kim Award in the History of East Asian Science and Technology (PhD Studentship): £20,000 – £20,000 · Soon-Young Kim Award in the History of East Asian Science and Technology (Research Fellowship): £20,000 – £20,000.
Where does Needham Research Institute fund charities?
Needham Research Institute funds charities operating in Cambridge, UK.
Does Needham Research Institute accept unsolicited applications?
Needham Research Institute accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from Needham Research Institute?
Needham Research Institute takes applications via email application. Published programme route: online application form.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Needham Research Institute be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.