Program Overview and Goals
We believe that scientific discoveries hold the power to shape the way we live and see and interact with the universe. These unanticipated leaps in knowledge enrich our lives intellectually and have practical applications as well. Many of the devices we depend on—from our cell phones to MRIs—rely on discoveries made before the devices were even imagined.
Our passion for discovery reflects the values of our founders, Gordon and Betty Moore. We believe in the inherent value of science and the sense of awe that discovery inspires. And we know that scientific advancement and societal benefits will occur when we overcome barriers and unleash the potential of exploration.
The Science Program invests in the development of new technologies, supports the world’s top research scientists, and brings together unlikely—often groundbreaking—scientific partnerships. We often fund early-stage work or emerging fields that are so innovative they are overlooked or underfunded by traditional federal funders. We like to take risks, incubate change, and look for opportunities to transform, or even create, entire fields. Click here to read about our Guiding Framework, which guides our grantmaking and other activities.
Initiatives and Program Grants
The Science program supports emerging research through the following: