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The Small Grants Scheme in 2010

The Nuffield Foundation’s social science schemes are being reviewed in 2010. During this period, the Foundation will run a revised Small Grants Scheme until the end of 2010 or until funds are exhausted – whichever is the sooner.

Social Science Small Grants are intended for self-contained research projects in our areas of interest, including pilot studies. They offer funding to meet the cost of research assistance, research materials, data collection and analysis, and travel and subsistence in this country and overseas.

The remit of this revised scheme will more closely match the interests of the Foundation, narrowing significantly the range of projects that will be considered under the scheme. We will no longer try to span the full range of social sciences, but instead will focus on thematic areas that are key topics of interest for us.

The Foundation's Trustees categorise projects within the Small Grants Scheme into those that will develop social science research capacity, either of the PI or of a promising research assistant; small self-contained or pilot social science projects; outstanding small projects in the social sciences.

Individual grants can be made for larger amounts than previously but, as the budget remains unchanged, a smaller number of grants will be made. Under the revised scheme, the Foundation will offer grants of up to £15,000, though budgets are always scrutinised for value for money. We expect the new scheme to be extremely competitive.

The Scheme does not have a closing date and we accept applications throughout the year. We aim to make decisions within twelve weeks, although it may sometimes take a little longer.

Last Updated Wed, 31 March 2010