| 1. | What is the Foundation’s Science Program? |
| The Foundation’s Science Program is comprised of the Marine Microbiology Initiative, commitments to the California Institute of Technology and the Thirty Meter Telescope, and funding special projects to support the work of researchers at the forefront of emerging fields of science. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing scientific progress to effect change and positively impact the world for future generations. Our funding strategy in this area is to identify opportunities in emerging fields of science where our funding will make a difference in fostering transformative discoveries. |
| 2. | How do I submit a proposal? |
| The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Foundation staff research and identify organizations that can fill specific niches and achieve outcomes for our areas or work. Once we identify potential projects and grantees, the Foundation may request a formal proposal. |
| 3. | What are examples of grants that have been made as part of the Science Program? |
| - A $4.2 million grant supported the J. Craig Venter Institute research expedition across the northwest Atlantic Ocean to sample and analyze marine microbes.
- A $27.7 million grant enabled Caltech to construct a state-of-the-art MRI facility to study higher brain function. In addition, a $17.5 million grant helped create the Interdisciplinary Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, which aims to observe the complex interactions among molecules and cells.
- A $2.3 million grant to the University of Chicago, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysicsto advance the study of Cosmic Microwave Background radiation through the development of next generation, multifrequency polarization sensitive detector arrays to be deployed on the South Pole Telescope.
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| 4. | How much financial support has the Science Program granted to date? |
| The Science Program has awarded more than $690 million in grants to researchers and science-related institutions. |
| 5. | How does the Foundation classify an “initiative” versus a “program grant”? |
| Initiatives. Initiatives are built around well-developed strategies for concentrated investments, focused on the long-term and achieving significant impact. Initiatives are characterized by a portfolio approach to grantmaking, and other engagements of the Foundation, to pursue ambitious, large-scale outcomes. Initiatives constitute about 80% of the Foundation’s grantmaking. Program grants. Program grants are directly in service of the program theory of change and goals. Individual research and development grants explore new program strategies and new initiatives. |
| 6. | What are examples of Science "program grants" as defined above? |
| - Open access to scientific research and data: With funding from the Foundation, the Public Library of Science changed the face of the science publication community by offering research articles to the world for free.
- Creating groundbreaking tools and techniques: The Foundation funded the development of remotely operated instruments so that researchers could study Antarctic lakes hidden kilometers below the ice surface. It’s yielding an understanding of past, present, and future states of this geologically and climatically important region of the Earth.
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| 7. | What are the results of some of the Foundation’s Science grants? |
| - With the support of grants from the Marine Microbiology Initiative, the J. Craig Venter Institute has discovered thousands of new species of microorganisms and more than 4 million new genes.
- Sallie Chisholm at MIT, one of the Foundation’s Principal Investigators in Marine Microbiology, discovered Prochlorococcus—the most numerous photosynthetic organism on Earth—and is now conducting leading research on its ecology and genetic diversity.
- Scientists, with groundbreaking instrumentation for the Airborne Taxonomic Mapping System, were able to create high-res 3D digital maps from the air, allowing them to see individual species of plants, evaluate their growth cycles, and conduct carbon stock assessments at unprecedented scale in remote areas
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| 8. | How does the Foundation decide which grants to fund? |
| The Foundation approaches grantmaking with well-defined objectives. We conduct research to identify science projects that advance our initiative and commitment goals and satisfy our four filters, which ask if a project is important, makes a difference and has enduring impact, has measurable outcomes, and contributes to a portfolio effect. Science projects supported by the Foundation range from basic to applied research. |
| 9. | How does the Foundation work with grantees after funding is provided? |
| The Science Program takes an active and involved approach in its relationship with grantees. We work as a partner to help shape, monitor, and evaluate progress of our projects to achieve a common goal. The Foundation is invested in the outcomes of its grants and takes a long-term view of how each grant contributes to an initiative’s success, and in turn can positively impact scientific advancement for the benefit of all. |
| 10. | Does the Science Program collaborate with other funders? |
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| 11. | Does the Science Program collaborate with any universities? |
| We collaborate with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), on over 25 projects enabled by our $300 million grant, in areas as far-ranging as astrophysics, geology and the study of the brain. In addition, the Program works with researchers from many leading universities including Brown University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, San Diego State University, Rutgers University, Stanford University, University of California, University of Chicago, University of Georgia, University of Guelph, University of Hawaii, University of Miami, University of Queensland, University of Southern California, and University of Washington. |
| 12. | How does the Program encourage interdisciplinary research? |
| Interdisciplinary research is a key priority for the Foundation and we fund projects that encourage collaboration across fields. For example, Caltech’s Center for Analysis of Higher Brain Function will bring together specialists from neuroscience, molecular biology, computer science, economics and philosophy. |