About / Our Partners / John Innes Foundation

John Innes Foundation

The John Innes Foundation (JIF) is a charity dedicated to advancing plant science, horticulture and related subjects.

Established with a legacy from John Innes in the early 20th century, the Foundation played a critical role in creating the John Innes Horticultural Institute – later named the John Innes Centre – and, as landowner, in bringing together research institutes alongside the university to provide the foundations for Norwich Research Park.

“For over a century the John Innes Foundation has been supporting research into, and the teaching of, plant science. Its contribution has been remarkable and it’s commitment unflagging. Now it plans to do even more.” Peter Innes, Chair of the John Innes Foundation Trustees.

Current John Innes Foundation activities to support and fund the advancement of crop and biological sciences include:

A world-renowned Student Rotation programme at Norwich Research Park
Alumni events and activities in respect of the Rotation Programme
Various cross park research projects at Norwich Research Park
The annual JIC diversity lecture to be established in 2022
Major capital infrastructure projects across the John Innes Centre and Norwich Research Park
An agricultural bursary, awarded annually to a young person from a non farming background
A range of Norfolk-based science-related educational charities
An important History of Genetics archive
Anglia Innovation Partners LLP, which JIF is an investor in and member of
A range of initiatives aimed at encouraging the public understanding of, and engagement with, plant science
A range of recreational facilities at Norwich Research Park
The John Innes Society at Norwich Research Park
The Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development established in 2021 with funding from John Innes Foundation

The John Innes Foundation is the owner of major land and building assets at Norwich Research Park. It was instrumental in the establishment of AIP LLP, the business established by all stakeholders to lead the further development of the Park and to provide the full range of management and support services required.

JIF also supports the provision of facilities at the Park, aimed at making it a better place for those that work & study there. The most recent example is the nursery, to which JIF contributed £275,000.