About the Nuffield Foundation

The Nuffield Foundation is a charitable trust established in 1943 by William Morris, Lord Nuffield, the founder of Morris Motors. 

Lord Nuffield wanted to contribute to improvements in society, including the expansion of education and the alleviation of disadvantage. He called this the ‘advancement of social well-being’, and emphasised the importance of education, training and research in achieving that goal.

Today, we work to improve social well-being by funding research and innovation in education and social policy. We also work to increase research capacity, both in science and social science.

Research and innovation

We have four grants programmes that are open to applications. These relate to children and families, civil law, and education. Our Open Door programme is for proposals that lie outside these areas, but that meet Trustees's wider interests. We will consider research projects, practical experimental projects and development projects, but all must have the potential to influence policy or practice in the short or medium term.

For more information about these programmes and their criteria, visit our apply for funding page. To see details of projects we have funded in these areas, visit our education and social policy pages.

We have also developed resources and approaches that underpin effective educational practice. These are freely available via our teachers page.

Capacity building

We believe in the importance of independent and rigorous research evidence and its power to bring about change. To ensure these qualities are maintained in the future, we support the development of young scientists and social scientists.

We fund research placements for young people studying STEM subjects, and have launched a new programme in partnership with the ESRC and HEFCE to promote a step-change in the quantitative skills of social science undergraduates.

In addition, we are building research capacity in rheumatic disease through our Oliver Bird Rheumatism Programme, and funding a range of projects in eastern and southern Africa.

Finance and investment

Our income comes from the interest on our investments. We do not fundraise or receive funding from the Government. We are financially and politically independent. See our finance and investment pages for more information.