The Nuclear Industry Benevolent Fund

Charity Number: 208729

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £89,435 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3 weeks (Bursary Grant); reviewed at 5 Committee meetings annually (Financial Hardship Grant)
  • Grant Range: £200 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland (communities near UK nuclear sites)

Contact Details

Website: www.tnibf.org

Phone: 01925 633005

Email: info@tnibf.org

Address: Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, Warrington, WA2 8TX

Overview

The Nuclear Industry Benevolent Fund (TNIBF) was established in 1957 as the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Benevolent Fund. Originally supporting employees of UKAEA, British Nuclear Fuels, and Amersham International, it evolved into the UBA Benevolent Fund in 1998 before becoming TNIBF in 2013. As a registered charity (No. 208729), TNIBF now supports past, present, and future UK nuclear industry workers and their dependants experiencing financial hardship. The Fund's main income is generated from investments totaling £89,435 annually (2024). The organization recently expanded its mission with the 2024 launch of the Community Grant initiative, broadening support beyond individual workers to include organizations and communities connected to nuclear sites across the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Financial Hardship Grant: £200 - £10,000+ (no upper limit)

  • Support for disability adaptations, essential home repairs, mobility equipment, household appliances
  • Interest-free loans and grants for short or long-term problems
  • Available to current, former, and future UK nuclear industry workers and their dependent family members
  • Applications reviewed at 5 Committee meetings annually
  • Online, paper, phone, email, or mail applications accepted

2. Bursary Grant: Amount varies based on individual circumstances

  • One-off grants for education and training opportunities
  • Supports undergraduate fees, short training courses, equipment
  • Covers college, undergraduate, postgraduate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, CPD, placements, internships, retraining programs
  • Rolling application basis
  • Decision within 3 weeks
  • Must demonstrate financial hardship

3. Community Grant: £200 - £50,000

  • Launched in late 2024
  • Supports non-profit organizations, community groups, schools, youth clubs, colleges, and universities
  • Focus on organizations promoting skills in the nuclear industry or serving communities near nuclear sites
  • Online application through website
  • Rolling basis

Priority Areas

  • Relief of financial hardship for UK nuclear industry workers and their families
  • Education and skills development for those pursuing careers in the nuclear sector
  • Support for communities local to UK nuclear sites
  • Employability, engagement, and awareness initiatives related to the nuclear sector

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct debt repayment (though they may provide temporary financial support)
  • Applicants who can obtain help from other sources
  • Applications from those outside the UK nuclear industry workforce (for individual grants)
  • Organizations not connected to nuclear industry or nuclear site communities (for Community Grants)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (10 members)

Chair: Gareth Beynon

Vice Chair: Paul Reilly

Trustees: Richard Bowen, Graham Cameron, Stephen Frost, Pete Lambeth, Joanne Lane, Michelle Pearse, Sarah Stewart, Karen Walkden (also Chair of Publicity Sub-Committee), Ben Watford

Staff

Fund Manager & Secretary: Elaine Price

Deputy Manager: Sam Crampton

One TNIBF Trustee received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 New Year's Honours List, recognizing contributions to the nuclear industry and charitable sector.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Financial Hardship Grant:

  • Online application form at www.tnibf.org/fund-application
  • Paper form available by request
  • Phone: 01925 633005
  • Email: info@tnibf.org
  • Post to Warrington address
  • Requires comprehensive financial information including income, expenditure, debts, bank statements, council tax bills, employment verification

Bursary Grant:

  • Online application at www.tnibf.org/bursary-scheme-application
  • Must include details of studies with recent evidence, career path intentions, explanation of financial difficulty, specific use of funds
  • Phone inquiries: 01925 633005

Community Grant:

  • Online application at www.tnibf.org/community-grant/application-form
  • Requires organization details, project description, aims, timescales, success measures, funding amount requested, cost breakdown, impact statement
  • Phone: 01925 633005 or 0800 587 6040

Decision Timeline

Financial Hardship Grant: Applications reviewed at Committee meetings held 5 times annually; timeline varies based on meeting schedule

Bursary Grant: Decision expected within 3 weeks of complete application submission

Community Grant: No specific timeline published; contact TNIBF for current processing times

All programs may require additional supporting documentation before final decision.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Fund states that “each application is considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on the individual circumstances.”

Reapplication Policy

Multiple applications are permitted. The Fund does not impose restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Eligibility: Applicants must provide proof of employment in the UK nuclear industry. According to TNIBF: “Anyone who has worked in a different capacity and believes that they may be eligible is welcome to apply and their eligibility will be considered.” Direct employees and agency-supplied workers are clearly eligible, but those in adjacent roles should still apply if uncertain.

Evidence of Financial Hardship: The Fund emphasizes that “as the remit of the charity is to help those experiencing financial difficulty,” applicants must demonstrate genuine need. Include supporting evidence such as bank statements, income/expenditure documentation, and explanation of why help cannot be obtained from other sources.

Complete Applications: TNIBF notes that “incomplete applications may be rejected.” Ensure all sections are thoroughly completed with accurate information and required documentation attached.

Specific Project Details for Community Grants: Recent successful Community Grant examples demonstrate clear connections to nuclear industry communities:

  • All Together Cumbria received funding to stage the 2025 Festival of Work, which brought almost 1,000 pupils to interact with nuclear sector employers through 30+ workshops, demonstrating “commitment to increase employability, engagement, and awareness of the nuclear sector”
  • Caithness United Football Club secured £18,500 to support travel costs for 90 youth players (ages 10-18) in the Dounreay nuclear site community, covering over 9,000 miles of travel annually
  • Constructionarium received support for a “Nuclear Island” event for engineering and construction students

Zero-Tolerance on Fraud: TNIBF maintains a “zero-tolerance stance on fraud” with “robust systems in place to prevent any fraudulent applications.” Provide honest, verifiable information only.

Connection to Community/Skills Development: For Community Grants, clearly articulate how your organization's mission relates to “relief of financial hardship in the UK nuclear industry or communities local to nuclear sites.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Flexible and Individualized: TNIBF states there are “no limits on the amount of assistance awarded” for Financial Hardship Grants, with each case considered individually—don't self-exclude based on grant amount assumptions
  • Multiple Grant Streams Available: Consider all three grant types—individual workers may qualify for both Financial Hardship and Bursary Grants simultaneously for different needs
  • Confidentiality Guaranteed: The Fund emphasizes that “your employer will not be informed of your application,” which may encourage applications from those concerned about workplace stigma
  • Broad Eligibility Interpretation: “Future” nuclear industry workers are eligible for Bursary Grants, opening opportunities for students and career-changers pursuing nuclear sector training
  • Community Grants Are New: Launched in late 2024, the Community Grant program is still establishing its track record—early applicants may benefit from less competition
  • Relationship-Building Through Events: TNIBF actively participates in sector events including NDA Staff events, ONR Personnel Security Day, and Nuclear Skills Awards—these provide networking opportunities
  • Investment Income Dependent: With annual income of £89,435 and expenditure of £187,739 (2024), the Fund relies heavily on investment performance, which may affect grant availability year-to-year

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References