Nuffield Research Placements to be delivered in partnership with STEM Learning

By Nuffield Foundation

Nuffield Research Placements give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to gain STEM skills and confidence by undertaking active research projects in their summer holidays.

The Nuffield Foundation has developed this flagship programme over the last 24 years, and an independent evaluation has shown a range of benefits for students including improved access to university courses in STEM subjects.

In a further development of the programme, we are now working with STEM Learning, the UK’s largest provider of STEM education and careers support, who are committed to achieving a world-leading STEM education for all young people in the UK. We will continue to fund Nuffield Research Placements, but from 1 October 2020, the programme will be managed and operated by STEM Learning.

Nuffield Research Placements will continue to operate in a similar way across the UK, in partnership with a network of regional coordinators and project hosts. The eligibility criteria and overall experience will not change, ensuring that students receive the same benefits from the programme, including:

  • Developing subject understanding alongside research and quantitative skills to expand their career prospects.
  • Enhancing their UCAS personal statements and applications to university.
  • Learning more about higher education and different career paths.
  • The opportunity to apply for a Gold CREST Award or the Big Bang Competition.

We remain committed to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those eligible for free school meals and those who are first in their family to apply to university, to have empowering, life-changing experiences working in research. We are looking forward to working with STEM Learning and have every confidence the programme will go from strength to strength.

Applications for Nuffield Research Placements in 2021 will open on 9 November at nuffieldresearchplacements.org

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We improve people’s lives by funding research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. We also fund student programmes that give young people skills and confidence in science and research.

We offer our grant-holders the freedom to frame questions and enable new thinking. Our research must stand up to rigorous academic scrutiny, but we understand that to be successful in effecting change, it also needs to be relevant to people’s experience.

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