Nuffield Foundation
Could Nuffield Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £50,000 – £300,000
- Where they fund
- United Kingdom, Westminster
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
- Decisions
- Bi annually
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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nuffieldfoundation.orgAbout Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust that funds research, development and analysis to inform social policy and improve lives across the UK. Established in 1943 by William Morris, Lord Nuffield, the Foundation is guided by a commitment to building a prosperous, fair and inclusive society where people are secure and can fulfil their potential. They support projects that address pressing societal challenges, including how to ensure developments in science and technology work for people and society, and how climate change policies can promote fairness and prosperity. Their distinctive approach is to fund rigorous, independent research that can shape public policy and improve social well-being.
What Nuffield Foundation funds
The Foundation funds research, development and analysis projects across the UK that generate evidence to inform social policy and practice. They are particularly interested in work exploring how to build an inclusive society where people thrive and feel they belong, in the context of changing demography and ways of life. Other priority areas include how to build a prosperous and fair society where people are secure and can fulfil their potential, and how policies to address climate change can be developed in a way that promotes fairness and prosperity. They support multi-year projects delivered by registered charities, universities, research institutes and voluntary sector organisations.
Who can apply
Registered charities, universities, research institutes and voluntary sector organisations based in the UK can apply for Main Grants. The Foundation does not fund schools, colleges or individuals through this programme. They welcome unsolicited applications and have no income or size restrictions on applicant organisations. Their work benefits people across the UK, with a focus on addressing societal challenges that affect disadvantaged children, young people, families and communities.
What Nuffield Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund core costs, salaries, capital works or equipment. They also exclude a range of areas including animal rights or welfare, the arts, conservation, heritage or environmental projects, housing, medical research, museums, religion, and sports and recreation.
How they like to fund
The Foundation provides multi-year grants for research and project delivery. They fund rigorous, independent research that can shape public policy and improve social well-being. They welcome unsolicited applications and do not require match funding.
How much does Nuffield Foundation give?
Nuffield Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 37 sourced facts
- Two-stage process
- Next deadline 5 October 2026
- 2 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~28 weeks
- Multi-year funding
- Two-stage process
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 Nuffield Foundation funds — and what they won't
["How can we build a prosperous and fair society, where people are secure and can fulfil their potential?","How can we build an inclusive society, where people thrive and feel they belong, in the context of changing demography and ways of life?","How can we ensure that developments in science and technology work for people and society?","How can policies to address climate change be developed in a way that promotes a prosperous, fair and inclusive society?","How can we build and maintain the effective, accountable and trustworthy institutions that our society and democracy need?"]
The full exclusions list (10)
- Animals rights or welfare
- The Arts
- Conservation, heritage or environmental projects
- Housing
- Medical research
- Museums
- Religion
- Sports and recreation
- Capital or building costs
- Not available to individuals who have resided outside the UK for more than 2 of the last 5 years (security clearance requirement)
Good to know
How to apply to Nuffield Foundation
Nuffield Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.
- Published programme route: two-stage process.
- Decisions are typically bi annually.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Nuffield Foundation's application asks
We hold the 6 questions from Nuffield Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“1. Do you need funding within 7 months?”
“2. Are you employed by or affiliated with a UK-based institution or organisation?”
4 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
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 Nuffield Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Nuffield Foundation provide?
Nuffield Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Main Grants (Research, Development and Analysis Fund): Up to £500,000 · POST Fellowship: £8,000 – £8,000.
Where does Nuffield Foundation fund charities?
Nuffield Foundation funds charities operating in United Kingdom, Westminster.
Does Nuffield Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Nuffield Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Nuffield Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Animals rights or welfare; The Arts; Conservation, heritage or environmental projects; Housing; Medical research. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Nuffield Foundation?
Nuffield Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: two-stage process.
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