Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £120,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by university partner
• Grant Range: Partial to full scholarships
• Geographic Focus: Pakistan (students from Pakistan studying at Oxford and Cambridge)

Contact Details

• Website: http://www.noon-foundation.org
• Email: info.vnef@gmail.com
• Address: Registered address available via Charity Commission

Overview

The Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation was established in 1992 by Lady Viqarunnissa Noon (known as Vicky Noon) to support outstanding scholars from Pakistan to study at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The foundation is named after Lady Viqarunnissa and her late husband, Sir Firoz Khan Noon, who served as Chief Minister of Punjab (1953-1956), Foreign Minister of Pakistan (1956-1957), and Prime Minister of Pakistan (1957-1958). Over the past three decades, the foundation has enabled over 230 brilliant young Pakistani scholars to pursue higher education at Oxford and Cambridge.

Funding Priorities

Charitable Objects

The foundation advances the education of persons born, domiciled or normally resident in Pakistan by providing bursaries, scholarships and other financial support to enable them to pursue higher education at universities in the United Kingdom and United States.

Priority Areas

• Postgraduate study at Oxford and Cambridge universities
• Natural sciences, applied sciences, and social sciences
• Engineering
• Arts and humanities
• Undergraduate study for suitable candidates

Eligibility

• Students must be from Pakistan (born, domiciled or normally resident)
• Studying at University of Oxford or University of Cambridge
• Academic merit and financial need are key selection criteria
• Potential for social contribution upon return to Pakistan is also considered

What They Don't Fund

• Students not from Pakistan
• Study at universities other than Oxford and Cambridge (in the UK)
• Non-educational purposes

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees including members of the Noon family. The foundation was established by Lord Gulam Noon (formerly Sir Gulam Noon), a prominent British-Indian businessman and philanthropist who passed away in 2015. The foundation continues his legacy of supporting educational advancement and social mobility. Current trustees maintain the founder's vision of breaking down barriers to education for talented students from all backgrounds.

How to Apply to Viquaran Nisa Noon And Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation

How to Apply

Applications are made through the admissions and funding processes of Oxford and Cambridge universities. Prospective scholars should:

• Apply for admission to Oxford or Cambridge in the normal way
• Indicate in the relevant funding sections of the university application that they wish to be considered for a Noon scholarship
• Submit the graduate application before the January deadline for the chosen course

There is no separate application form for the Noon scholarship initially. Eligible candidates will be contacted by email to complete a brief application form.

Partners

The foundation works with the Cambridge Trust and other funding partners to administer scholarships. At Cambridge, the Vicky Noon Cambridge Scholarship is available to undergraduate or Master's applicants from Pakistan in the fields of natural, applied or social sciences and humanities. PhD applicants are occasionally considered.

Award Details

The duration and size of awards depend on the scholar's circumstances, ranging from partial scholarships (some recipients receive up to £3,000) to fully funded scholarships covering tuition and living expenses.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:

• Demonstrate clear educational outcomes and how success will be measured
• Show evidence of disadvantage or barriers being addressed
• Include testimonials or case studies from beneficiaries where relevant
• Highlight sustainability beyond the grant period
• Emphasize any matching funding or partnership arrangements
• For student support, demonstrate both financial need and academic potential
• Projects supporting minority ethnic students or communities are particularly well-aligned
• Clear explanation of how the grant will make a transformational difference

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation exclusively supports Pakistani students studying at Oxford and Cambridge
• Applications are made through the universities' own application processes, not directly to the foundation
• Academic merit, financial need, and potential social contribution to Pakistan are key selection factors
• The foundation offers both partial and full scholarships depending on individual circumstances
• Awards are primarily for postgraduate study, though undergraduate scholarships are available
• Students should indicate their interest in Noon Foundation funding when applying to Oxford or Cambridge

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Aruna And Ambika Paul Foundation
• The Bunac Educational Scholarship Trust
• The David And Claudia Harding Foundation
• The Linda And Gordon Bonnyman Charitable Trust
• The Eranda Rothschild Foundation
• The Gaudio Family Foundation (uk) Limited
• The Exilarch's Foundation
• Charles And Julia Henry Fund
• The Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation
• Ipsos Foundation

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for 1017002
• Noon Foundation Website - http://www.noon-foundation.org
• Cambridge Trust - Noon Educational Foundation Partnership Information
• Cambridge Trust - Vicky Noon Cambridge Scholarship