Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £172,395 (2024-2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by scholarship program
• Grant Range: Individual scholarships (full PhD funding for 3 years)
• Geographic Focus: UK (specifically for UK orthopaedic surgeons in training)

Contact Details

Phone: 01865874676

Email: Not publicly listed for general enquiries

For scholarship enquiries: graduate.studies@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

Overview

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Trust (Charity Number 309704) was established on July 24, 1963, with an endowment originally made by Lord Nuffield in 1937. With annual expenditure of approximately £172,395 and income of £151,233 (2024-2025), the Trust focuses on advancing orthopaedic surgery through scholarships and grants. The charity awards scholarships to support research in orthopaedic surgery and provides other scholarships and grants to support the study and practice of orthopaedic surgery and its associated nursing care. The Trust operates with 7 trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust primarily operates through specific scholarship programs administered via the University of Oxford:

• Lord Nuffield and Girdlestone Scholarships: Full DPhil funding including tax-free bursary, tuition fees at home rate, and consumables support for 3 years (awarded every 3 years)
• Research Support Grants: Funding for orthopaedic surgical research projects at Oxford's Botnar Institute

Priority Areas

• Research in orthopaedic surgery
• Study and practice of orthopaedic surgery
• Associated nursing care in orthopaedics
• Educational advancement in musculoskeletal sciences

What They Don't Fund

• Non-orthopaedic medical research
• General healthcare projects outside their specialist area
• Organizations not connected to orthopaedic education or research

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 7 trustees who serve without remuneration. The charity maintains its independence with no trading subsidiaries and operates with a clear focus on its founding mission to create a center of orthopaedics in Oxford through provision of scholarships, library resources, accommodation, equipment and educational materials.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process for general grant applications. Grants are primarily awarded through specific scholarship programs at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS).

For the Lord Nuffield and Girdlestone Scholarships:

• Apply for the D.Phil in Musculoskeletal Sciences (course code RD_ML2)
• Must be an Orthopaedic Surgeon in training in the UK
• Contact potential supervisors to plan research projects
• Submit applications by December 2nd at 12 noon UK time for the following academic year

Getting on Their Radar

The Trust operates primarily through its established relationship with the University of Oxford's NDORMS department. Organizations or individuals seeking support should:

• Connect through the NDORMS graduate studies program at graduate.studies@ndorms.ox.ac.uk
• Develop research proposals aligned with orthopaedic surgical advancement
• Establish connections with supervisors at the Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences

Decision Timeline

• Scholarships awarded every 3 years
• Next Girdlestone Scholarship available for October 2026 entry
• Application decisions typically made several months after December deadline

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's funding patterns and priorities:

• Must demonstrate clear alignment with orthopaedic surgical research or education
• Strong preference for UK-based orthopaedic surgeons in training
• Research proposals must fit within the remit of the Botnar Institute
• Requires established connection with Oxford University supervisors
• Projects should advance the field of orthopaedic surgery or nursing care

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a specialist funder focused exclusively on orthopaedic surgery education and research
• No public grant application process - funding primarily through Oxford University scholarships
• Best suited for UK orthopaedic surgeons pursuing doctoral research
• Relationship building with NDORMS department essential for access to funding
• Limited annual expenditure suggests highly selective funding decisions
• Clear preference for academic research over service delivery projects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Pharsalia Charitable Trust
• THE ORTHOPAEDICS CHARITABLE TRUST FUND
• The Norman Collisson Foundation
• Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund
• The E P A Cephalosporin Fund
• The Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust
• THE ARNOLD BURTON 1998 CHARITABLE TRUST
• Sir Samuel Scott of Yews Trust
• The Bouttell Bequest
• The Albert Dawson Educational Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: NUFFIELD ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE TRUST - 309704
• Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences Funding Page: https://www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/study/ndorms-dphil-msc-by-research/funding
• University of Oxford DPhil in Musculoskeletal Sciences: Course information and scholarship details
• Find that Charity: GB-CHC-309704 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Trust