The Education Endowment Foundation

Charity Number: 1142111

Annual Expenditure: £137.0M
Geographic Focus: Throughout England

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £137m government endowment (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2 funding rounds per year (Spring/Autumn)
  • Grant Range: £90,000 - £1.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: England

Contact Details

  • Website: www.educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
  • Email: info@eefoundation.org.uk
  • Phone: 020 4536 3999
  • Address: Education Endowment Foundation, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP

Overview

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity established in 2011 by the Sutton Trust in partnership with Impetus Trust, with a £125 million founding grant from the Department for Education. In 2022, the government re-endowed the EEF with a further £137 million to continue operations for at least another decade. The foundation is dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement through evidence-based research and evaluation. As the biggest funder of schools research in England, the EEF has commissioned over 10% of all known education trials globally and funded over 300 projects, with three-quarters of all state-funded schools participating in EEF projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Pilot Studies: Early-stage programme development in small number of settings (3+ schools/settings)
  • Efficacy Trials: Testing interventions under developer-led conditions (typically 50+ settings)
  • Effectiveness Trials: Large-scale evaluation of well-evidenced programmes
  • Development Projects: Fixed grant of £22,000 for programme development and feedback collection
  • Post-16 Programmes: Supporting outcomes for post-16 learners
  • Evidence Mobilisation: Programmes using EEF guidance reports

Priority Areas

  • Programmes improving outcomes for 2-19 year-olds, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Writing outcomes for pupils aged 5-16 (Key Stages 1-4)
  • Secondary mathematics outcomes for pupils aged 11-16 (Key Stages 3-4)
  • Post-16 education interventions
  • Early years development approaches
  • Evidence-based educational interventions with rigorous evaluation components

What They Don't Fund

  • Programmes reaching fewer than 100 students
  • Projects without robust evaluation methodology
  • Single-school initiatives (preference for multi-school programmes)
  • Applications without clear evidence-based foundation
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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership: Dame Christine Gilbert CBE serves as Executive Chair while Professor Becky Francis CBE is on secondment leading the government's curriculum and assessment review. Chris provides interim co-CEO leadership.

Professor Becky Francis CBE (CEO, currently on secondment) previously served as Director of the UCL Institute of Education, ranked #1 globally for education. Her key philosophy emphasizes that “surface-level compliance is the biggest threat to any change in education” and advocates for evidence-informed decision-making at every level.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Online application system through EEF website
  • Detailed guidance notes and application forms available online
  • Two funding rounds annually (Spring and Autumn)

Decision Timeline

  • Spring Round: Applications open end of January, close mid-March
  • Autumn Round: Applications open end of September, close early November
  • Decision timelines not publicly specified but typically several months for evaluation

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed, though the foundation is selective in its funding approach, prioritizing evidence-based programmes with strong evaluation components.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Elements

  • Evidence Base: Strong theoretical foundation and preliminary evidence of effectiveness
  • Scale and Reach: Programmes should reach minimum 100 students across multiple settings
  • Evaluation Design: Robust methodology for measuring impact and outcomes
  • Disadvantaged Focus: Clear targeting of pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Implementation Planning: Detailed consideration of how the programme will be delivered effectively

EEF's Evaluation Standards

The foundation emphasizes that “done well, feedback can support pupil progress, build learning, address misunderstandings, and thereby close the gap between where a pupil is and where the teacher wants them to be.” Applications should demonstrate understanding of effective educational practices and measurement.

Preferred Programme Characteristics

  • Fully developed programmes ready for rigorous testing
  • Clear implementation protocols
  • Capacity to work across multiple educational settings
  • Alignment with EEF's evidence standards and methodology

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Evidence-First Approach: Applications must demonstrate strong theoretical foundation and preliminary evidence
  • Scale Matters: Programmes should reach significant numbers of students across multiple settings (minimum 100 students)
  • Evaluation Excellence: Robust evaluation methodology is essential - this is not optional funding but research funding
  • Disadvantaged Focus: Clear articulation of how the programme will benefit pupils from lower-income backgrounds
  • Theme Alignment: Ensure alignment with current funding round themes and priorities
  • Implementation Readiness: Programmes should be fully developed and ready for rigorous testing
  • Multi-Setting Capability: Demonstrate ability to work effectively across different educational contexts

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