THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY AT SALFORD
Our philanthropic community shows the power of us in action, opening doors, changing trajectories, and building confidence for University of Salford students. Together, through partnerships, scholarships, and projects, we are creating lasting opportunity and real‑world impact.
As our supporter base grows, so does our collective impact. This year, over £2m will be raised, turning shared ambition into action for students, the University, and the wider community.
SCHOLARSHIPS THAT OPEN DOORS
70+ brand new scholarships were made possible through the collective generosity of our philanthropic community. In total we are currently supporting over 125 students who are all at different stages of their academic and scholarship journey.
Robert & Ann Oxley Scholarships
Thanks to the legacy gift of Robert and Ann Oxley, new scholarship support is already beginning to transform lives and will continue to support 32 students over the next five years. These scholarships enable students in Engineering to focus fully on their studies, progression, and future ambitions.
‘The generous legacy gift from Robert and Ann Oxley is making a real difference to students who may otherwise face barriers to pursuing engineering, while strengthening Salford’s longstanding excellence in innovation and research. The Robert & Ann Oxley Scholarships and Professorial Chair reflect our commitment to creating opportunities, nurturing talent, and pushing the boundaries of engineering for the benefit of society.’ - Professor Annalu Waller, Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Thrive Building
The Harrington Foundation & HG Capital Scholarships
Since 2021, we have partnered with the Harrington Foundation and HG Capital to support students who might not otherwise access higher education, enabling them to pursue STEM degrees. Building on this success, 10 additional students have been supported in 2025–26 through five continuing HG Access to Tech Scholarships and five new Harrington Foundation Environmental Scholarships, expanding the programme’s focus to environmental sustainability. The expansion was marked with a day-long scholar welcome and careers and skills workshop in January 2026.
‘We were inspired by shared experiences shaped through the Harrington Foundation community. Benjamin’s journey as an HG scholar and ambassador reflected Michelle’s path as a mature student determined to make the most of university, and connecting through an Amphibian talk reinforced the value of this support. The welcome, careers and skills workshop further highlighted the real impact of these scholarships, enabling us to fully immerse ourselves in our studies while building networks with influential organisations in the growing environmental sustainability sector, where there are genuine opportunities to make a meaningful difference.’
- Benjamin (Scholar Ambassador) and Michelle, Harrington Foundation Environmental Scholars
SPACES THAT ENABLE SUCCESS
Wolfson Foundation
Powered by the strength of collaboration, a £700,000 philanthropic gift from the Wolfson Foundation will equip REMEDY, our centre for human movement and rehabilitation located in the Thrive building and opening in 2027, with a new suite of equipment. This will enable our researchers, clinicians and partners work together to improve mobility, independence and lives. The centre has been named The Wolfson Centre for Human Movement Research.
Garfield Weston Foundation
Made possible by working together, £600,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation will help our Energy House Labs turn shared expertise into practical retrofit solutions for a fairer, warmer, Net Zero future. The funding will support the construction of a new house to enhance our lab capacity and capabilities, and construction is due to start in the next couple of months.
CELEBRATING YOUR MILESTONES
Some partnerships stand as enduring examples of what long-term collaboration can achieve:
For more than 10 years, the University of Salford and Morson Group have worked together to widen access to STEM education and build future skills. Through scholarships, outreach programmes and the Morson Maker Space, this partnership has supported over 70 students and thousands of learners, investing in local talent, boosting social mobility, and strengthening Salford’s future.
‘As a family member, seeing our impact is humbling, emotional & I have a great sense of pride. The inspirational students are a credit to themselves. What an amazing place Salford University is, along with the great work it does for the community too’ - Carmen Mason, Morson & Mason Partnership
This year marked 10 years of partnership with MGF and five years of support from Temporary Works forum. Together, they are helping widen access to engineering education, ease financial pressure, and support students into successful careers in industry, demonstrating the lasting impact of generous, industry-led philanthropy.
‘The scholarship allowed me to focus fully on my studies and helped shape my career in engineering.’ - Alawi, former scholar
Artist’s impression of the test setup within the chamber; final design pending.
Plug into Salford
Regular giving, no matter the size, is a quiet but powerful force that allows us to support students to access university and succeed. In September 2025, your funding helped to support 43 first generation students to start their journey through our Plug into Salford programme. The programme has significantly improved first-generation students’ confidence, sense of belonging, and readiness for university. By connecting students with peers and ambassadors, it reduced isolation and anxiety around fitting in, finances, and academic life, while providing practical guidance that many described as life-changing.
Telecoms firm Cellnex UK support Unfiltered: Stories for Social Justice
Cellnex UK, a Salford-based telecoms company has fully funded a free 15 week National Saturday Club, Unfiltered: Stories for Social Justice, for 13–16 year olds across Greater Manchester. Based at our MediaCity campus, the programme runs weekly and teaches podcasting and filmmaking through hands on training led by industry professionals. Participants explore real world issues while producing podcasts and short documentaries, gaining experience across the full creative process. The initiative aims to improve access to the creative industries for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Legacy Giving Brian Oldroyd Legacy Fund
Supported by the Brian Oldroyd Legacy Fund, the Summer Research Pathway Programme provides students from widening participation backgrounds with a clear route into research and postgraduate study. Over four paid weeks, participants gain hands-on research experience with academic supervisors, alongside training in research skills, professional development, and confidencebuilding. Since launching with 12 students in 2023, the programme has grown to 32 participants in 2024 and 2025, with continuation planned for 2026. To date, it has supported 101 second-year undergraduates, helping to break down barriers to research careers.
Leave a lasting impact
By leaving a gift in your will, you can help our students, campus and communities unlock opportunities they may never have thought possible. Your legacy could supercharge cutting-edge research, further develop our campus and facilities, forge lifelong connections with our communities and enable future students to create their own Salford story for generations to come. To find out more about how your support can make a profound difference, please get in touch below.
Plan your next visit
It’s been a true pleasure to welcome so many donors and alumni back to campus this year. Whether you visited your scholars, attended one of our events, or simply returned to revisit your old stomping grounds, your presence made a meaningful impact. If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: supporters@salford.ac.uk
