The Nuffield Foundation is a British charitable trust, established in 1943 by William Morris (Lord Nuffield, 1877–1963), the founder of Morris Motors Limited. 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.
The Foundation works to improve social well-being by funding research and innovation in education and social policy. It also aims to increase the proliferation and quality of research and professional skills – both in science and social sciences – through its capacity building programmes. The Foundation's work is underpinned by its belief in the importance of independent and rigorous research evidence and its power to bring about change.
Most of the Foundation's activities are UK-based, but it also funds some work in Europe and eastern and southern Africa.
The Nuffield Foundation's income comes from the interest on its investments. It does not fundraise or receive funding from the Government. It is financially and politically independent.
Grant-making
The Foundation makes grants for research and innovation projects in several areas:
- Education
- Law in society
- Children and families
Teaching and learning
It also operates a curriculum programme to explore innovative new approaches to teaching and learning. Currently, the main areas of interest are in science and mathematics. Projects include:
- Applying Mathematical Processes
- Cross curricular STEM projects
- Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology
- Science in Society
- Twenty First Century Science
Capacity-building
The Foundation runs a number of programmes aimed at building research and professional capacity in science and social science. These are:
- Science Bursaries for Schools & Colleges
- Undergraduate Research Bursaries
- Oliver Bird Rheumatism Programme
- Africa Programme
- Social Science Small Grants
Famous quotes containing the word foundation:
“The Bermudas are said to have been discovered by a Spanish ship of that name which was wrecked on them.... Yet at the very first planting of them with some sixty persons, in 1612, the first governor, the same year, “built and laid the foundation of eight or nine forts.” To be ready, one would say, to entertain the first ship’s company that should be next shipwrecked on to them.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)