Grant News

The Nuffield Foundation has opened the Essential Employment Skills Fund, offering grants of up to £500,000 for UK projects that build evidence on how to help young people facing significant barriers to work develop essential employment skills and access good jobs.

The Foundation funds research and innovation that supports a fairer, more inclusive and prosperous society.

Funding supports partnerships between evaluators and programme delivery organisations. Projects should rigorously evaluate existing or adapted programmes supporting 16 to 24-year-olds, particularly those at greater risk of becoming NEET.

Delivery activity can form part of the funded project, but the central purpose is to generate evidence about what works, for whom, and under what circumstances in developing essential employment skills.

Key points / Highlights:

• Grants of up to £500,000
• UK-wide
• Beneficiaries: young people aged 16 to 24 facing significant barriers to work
• Evaluator expected to lead the application
• Schools, FE colleges, charities and local authorities can be delivery partners

The deadline for submitting outline applications is 10 December 2026.  Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full applications in March 2027, with funding decisions expected in July 2027.

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