Funding for universities and research institutions

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent, grant-making charity, based in central London but funding across the UK. We have a wide range of funding programmes and activities. Our fundamental aim is to improve the civic health of society, mainly through education and research.

Our main grants programme provides support for places. These grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment. We fund a broad range of organisations working across the fields of education, science & medicine, health & disability, heritage, humanities & the arts.

Funding for universities and research institutions: We support research intensive universities and research institutions. Grants are awarded towards new buildings, refurbishment work and major equipment to enable high quality research. Awards are also made on occasion to support access to university collections held in university-owned museums and research libraries or to improve public engagement with science.

Applications from universities should be co-ordinated by the Development Office to ensure that the project presented is the institution’s strategic priority.

Need to know Who can apply: Universities and research institutions Location of applicant and project: UK only Funding covers: New buildings, refurbishment work or major equipment to improve research infrastructure Minimum grant amount: £100,000 Usual grant range: £250,000 – £1,000,000 Match funding required: Yes Decision dates: June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made Wolfson funding programme: Science & Medicine or Heritage, Humanities & the Arts

The organisation should meet all of the following criteria:

• be a research intensive university or research institution
• be undertaking internationally competitive research Projects related to libraries, museums or public engagement with science should visit the relevant pages for these organisations

Projects related to research infrastructure should aim to produce one or more of the following outcomes:

• Expansion of high quality research into new fields or an increased output from existing research (including new collaborations)
• Improved quality of research
• Production of work with a clear impact, benefitting either the academic community or the general public

Examples of ineligible projects and costs include:

• Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
• Grants direct to individuals
• Grants through conduit organisations
• Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
• Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
• Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
• Salary costs
• Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
• Film, websites or promotional materials
• Repayment of loans
• Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award