Founded in 2008, the Cambridge University Endowment Fund (“the Fund”) supports the University’s mission by investing donations which fund over 800 projects and programmes. These include scholarships, bursaries, teaching and research into some of the most critical societal issues, such as life sciences, conservation, climate change and technology.
Over the last 10 years, the Fund has distributed nearly £1.2 billion to the University, Colleges and associated Charitable Trusts.
The Fund is managed by University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited (“UCIM”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the University. More information about the Fund and case studies is available on the UCIM’s website.
The Fund's impact
Here is a selection of the programmes and activities that the Cambridge University Endowment Fund supports through its distributions.
Jessica Sainsbury Lectureship in the Anthropology of Amazonia
Dr Natalia Buitron
Inspired by her undergraduate experiences and work with indigenous rights groups in the Department of Social Anthropology, in 2019, Cambridge alumna Jessica Sainsbury made a donation to fund a lectureship in the Anthropology of Amazonia. The donation of £1.5 million is invested in the Cambridge University Endowment Fund.
Dr Natalia Buitron
Lecturer in the Anthropology of Amazonia
“Indigenous approaches to managing forests, biodiversity, land, welfare and justice offer solutions for global crises like climate change and deforestation. I think it is important that indigenous movements are pushing for participative governance that prioritises their well-being over economic gain.”
The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholar Programme
Fadia Bou-Dagher. Image © University of Cambridge.
Established in 2019, thanks to a generous donation from David and Claudia Harding, it is the biggest single gift made to a university in the UK by a British philanthropist. This endowed gift has so far funded a total of 167 scholarships in 63 subjects. In the 2023-24 academic year, the programme awarded 49 scholarships.
Fadia Bou-Dagher
PhD student, Medical Science
“I went to medical school because I wanted to make a difference to a patient’s life. But I soon realised that, through research, you can make a difference to millions of lives. Thanks to the Harding Scholarship, I’m able to spend three years studying for a PhD between my medical school years. It has been a game changer.”
Watch a video of Fadia discuss her research.
Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professor of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa
Prof Paul Lane. Image © John Davis Photo.
The Professorship was established in 2019 following a donation of £2.5 million from the Jonathan and Jennifer Oppenheimer Foundation. The funding is fully invested in the Cambridge University Endowment Fund and is intended to cover the full costs of the Professorship in perpetuity. Professor Paul Lane is the inaugural Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professor of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa at the University of Cambridge.
Prof Paul Lane
Professor of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa
“Investing in African archaeology not only enhances our knowledge of the past but also fosters more equitable relationships with the continent in the future.”
The Munby Fellowship Trust
Dr Sarah Pike
The Munby Fellowship offers access to unique University Library collections, including the Tower Collection, which features books and other items which are not typically part of scholarly collections, including fiction, instructional books, detective stories, and children’s books.
The Munby Fellowship was founded in memory of the late Alan Noel Latimer Munby, a greatly respected scholar in the field of bibliography, especially in the history of the book trade and of book-collecting. Munby was Librarian of King’s College (1947–74) and generously gave his time and expertise to all who asked for his advice and help in pursuit of their research.
The Munby Fellowship Trust of over £1 million is fully invested in the Cambridge University Endowment Fund.
Dr Sarah Pyke
Munby Fellow, 2023–2024
“The Fellowship provides a rare chance to explore these fascinating materials, offering valuable insights into popular culture and publishing trends which are often overlooked.”
The Cambridge Trust
Matthew Yoko. Image © Martin Bond.
The Cambridge Trust awards around 600 scholarships annually to students from across the world. Over the past 40 years, the Trust has awarded more than 22,000 scholarships. The Cambridge University Endowment Fund (“CUEF”) manages the Trust’s main investments, with a value of £210 million (31st July 2024).
Matthew Yoko
PhD Engineering
“Cambridge was my top and only choice due to its strength in my research area - fluid mechanics. Being at Cambridge has been a dream, offering access to world experts, resources, and funding for conferences. Winning the best paper award at a conference in Zurich was a highlight and has opened doors in both academia and industry. Whether I stay in academia or return to industry, my future will undoubtedly remain in aerospace.”
Case studies written by Kate Coghlan