The Ove Arup Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £508,871 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (December, March, June, September)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £20,000+ (no minimum or maximum specified)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily UK, with international reach for significant projects

Contact Details

Address: 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ, UK

Website: www.ovearupfoundation.org

Email: foundation@ovearupfoundation.com

Phone: 020 7636 1531

Secretary: John Ward (foundation@ovearupfoundation.org)

Overview

Established in 1989, The Ove Arup Foundation is an independent charity honouring the memory of engineer, designer and philosopher Sir Ove Arup, who pioneered a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to projects throughout his career. With total expenditure of £508,871 in 2023-24 and income of £509,385, the Foundation is committed to advancing education and knowledge in the built environment through interdisciplinary design. The Foundation's work has evolved from narrowly focused built environment topics to include broader social dimensions, reflecting a commitment to fostering an improving built environment for people. Over its 30+ year history, the Foundation has funded landmark initiatives including Cambridge University's Master's in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment and projects addressing gender equity, sustainable infrastructure, and innovative building practices.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant stream with quarterly application deadlines:

• Research and Educational Initiatives: Funding amounts vary based on project scope (grants have ranged from £2,000 scholarships to £20,000+ for multi-year programs)
• Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee meetings (early December, March, June, and September)
• Application Deadline: Mid-month preceding quarterly trustee meetings
• Application Format: Downloadable application form submitted to foundation@ovearupfoundation.org

Priority Areas

The Foundation actively funds projects that:

• Advance interdisciplinary education in architecture, engineering, design, and built environment fields
• Promote innovative research that enhances new thinking and knowledge
• Address social dimensions of the built environment including equity, accessibility, and community engagement
• Support sustainability and climate adaptation through design and engineering
• Foster diversity and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields
• Develop teaching initiatives with potential to reach wide audiences globally
• Encourage collaborative, multi-disciplinary approaches to built environment challenges
• Projects focused on postgraduate and undergraduate education

What They Don't Fund

• Individual grants for private study (it is “unusual” for trustees to approve these)
• Bursaries for individuals (funding awarded through institutions only, at their discretion)
• Projects not aligned with built environment education or research
• Supplementary materials beyond the completed application form are not accepted

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Gregory Hodkinson, FICE, FRSA (former Chairman of Arup Group Limited)

Trustees:

• Caroline Cole
• Léan Doody
• Jerome Frost
• Alejandro Gutierrez
• Ricky Tsui
• Faith Wainwright
• Kate West

Special Advisor: Raj Patel

Administration

Secretary: John Ward

Treasurer: Lorraine Barclay

Advisory Committee

The Foundation benefits from expertise across major professional bodies:

• Professor Ash Amin (British Academy)
• Tim Chapman (Institution of Civil Engineers)
• Michael Cook (Institution of Structural Engineers)
• Spencer de Grey (Royal Academy)
• Professor Doug King (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)
• Graham Morrison (Royal Institute of British Architects)
• Professor Nicholas Tyler (University College London)

Governance Note: Trustees receive no remuneration and the Foundation employs no staff earning over £60k. All trustee appointments are made by Arup Group, maintaining the connection to Sir Ove Arup's legacy while ensuring independence through the charitable structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from www.ovearupfoundation.org
2. Complete the form ensuring the project aligns with the Foundation's charitable aims
3. Submit to John Ward, Secretary, at foundation@ovearupfoundation.org
4. Do not append supplementary materials to your application

Important: “Ensure that the project is consistent with the charitable aims and mission of the Foundation” before applying.

Decision Timeline

• Screening: Applications are screened by the Chairman and Secretary
• Review: Considered by trustees at quarterly meetings (early December, March, June, September)
• Submission Deadline: Mid-month preceding each quarterly meeting
• Notification: Timing not publicly specified, but follows quarterly meeting cycle
• Typical Process: Approximately 1-3 months from submission to decision, depending on meeting schedule

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation notes that “only those applications which match the objectives of the Foundation are approved, subject to budgetary constraints.”

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Contact the Secretary for guidance if reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Critical Alignment Factors

Interdisciplinary Approach: The Foundation's core value is interdisciplinary collaboration. Successful projects like Cambridge's IDBE program integrate “the whole gamut of disciplines involved in the built environment, including people with finance and investment backgrounds, surveyors, project managers, designers and planners.”

Social Impact and Reach: Projects should demonstrate potential to reach wide audiences. The Girls Garage project succeeded by addressing systemic gender inequality: “91% of girls say they leave Girls Garage feeling more confident and creative.”

Educational Innovation: The Foundation values projects that represent new thinking. The IDBE program was “the only course of its kind when it started, teaching engineers alongside architects.”

Practical, Hands-On Learning: Successful projects combine “design teaching with practical, hands-on skills and community involvement” (Girls Garage example).

Examples of Funded Projects

• Girls Garage (2016, 2020): £20,000+ for Advanced Design/Build Program addressing gender disparities in architecture and construction
• Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (1995-2005): Multi-year funding for Cambridge University's pioneering Masters program
• African Centre for Cities (2006-2009)
• Fire Safety, Engineering and Society (2014-2018)
• Living Root Bridges (2018): Sustainable infrastructure research
• LSE Cities (1994-2012): Long-term urban research partnership

Foundation Language and Terminology

Use these concepts in applications:

• “Interdisciplinary nature of design”
• “Multi-disciplinary collaboration”
• “Advancement of education”
• “Promotion, furtherance and dissemination of knowledge”
• “Social dimensions of the built environment”
• “Holistic approach”
• “Sustainability and inclusive design”

Post-Award Expectations

Acknowledgment: “By accepting your grant award you make a commitment to acknowledge our support publicly” - grantees must feature the Foundation's logo “on all of your related information, marketing and publicity materials”

Reporting: “The Trustees will expect reports on the use of any funds granted and may appoint a Trustee or Advisor to liaise with the recipient”

Common Success Patterns

Projects that succeed typically:

• Address underrepresented or overlooked dimensions of the built environment
• Demonstrate clear educational outcomes or knowledge dissemination
• Show potential for systemic impact beyond individual beneficiaries
• Integrate multiple disciplines or professional perspectives
• Include practical, applied components alongside theoretical frameworks
• Consider climate change, sustainability, or social equity dimensions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration - This is the Foundation's core value, inspired by Sir Ove Arup's pioneering philosophy. Show how your project brings together multiple disciplines.

1. Demonstrate educational innovation - The Foundation seeks projects that “enhance new thinking and knowledge.” Highlight what makes your approach novel or groundbreaking.

1. Show broad reach and impact - Projects should have potential to influence beyond immediate participants. Consider how findings will be disseminated or how the model could be replicated.

1. Keep applications focused - Do not submit supplementary materials. Ensure your application form clearly articulates alignment with the Foundation's mission.

1. Plan for quarterly decision cycles - Submit by mid-month before quarterly meetings (November for December meeting, February for March, May for June, August for September).

1. Connect to social dimensions - Recent priorities include broader social impacts, not just technical aspects of the built environment. Address equity, accessibility, diversity, or community engagement.

1. Be prepared for ongoing engagement - The Foundation may appoint a Trustee or Advisor to liaise with successful projects and expects progress reports. View this as valuable professional connection, not just oversight.

References

• Ove Arup Foundation official website: www.ovearupfoundation.org
• “How to Apply” page: https://www.ovearupfoundation.org/grants/how-to-apply
• “Trustees + Advisors” page: https://www.ovearupfoundation.org/about/trustees-advisors
• “Featured Grants” page: https://www.ovearupfoundation.org/featured-grants
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity #328138: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/328138
• Girls Garage grant announcement: https://girlsgarage.org/news-and-press/ove-arup-2020-grant/
• Featured project pages for Girls Garage and IDBE: https://www.ovearupfoundation.org/featured-grants/girls-garage and https://www.ovearupfoundation.org/featured-grants/interdisciplinary-design-for-the-built-environment
• Financial information from Charity Commission accounts for year ending 31 March 2024