Funding for Universities and Research Institutions (UK)

The Foundation provides funding for research-intensive universities and research institutions. They award grants towards new buildings, refurbishment work and major equipment to enable high-quality research. They sometimes also award grants to improve access and research libraries or to improve public engagement with science.

The university Development Office should coordinate applications for this funding programme, to make sure that the project is your strategic, institutional priority.

Aims

• If your project is related to research infrastructure it should have at least one of the following aims:
  • Expansion of high-quality research into new fields or 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 public.

Funding Information

• Usual grant range: £250,000 – £1 million
• Minimum grant amount: £100,000

Ineligible Projects

• 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 organizations
  • 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Universities and research institutions
• Your organization should:
  • be a research-intensive university or research institution
  • undertake internationally competitive research.

For more information, visit The Wolfson Foundation.