In 2002, the Moore Foundation committed $300 million in funding to the California Institute of Technology to advance Caltech’s position at the forefront of higher education, technological development, and scientific research, and to foster significant scientific achievements in the life and physical sciences.

Basic research and discovery science grants were awarded in both the life and physical sciences. As of 2012, 29 grants, ranging from $1 million to $28 million each were used to support new research centers (60 percent of funding), specific research projects (20 percent), acquisition and maintenance of new equipment (20 percent), and educational initiatives (3 percent).

Notable Evaluation Results:

  • The majority of funded projects realized most or all of the originally stated outcomes, and most led to major scientific breakthroughs that would not have occurred without the catalytic commitment.Caltech advanced its world leadership in cosmology, earth sciences, and economics; established leading edge research centers and programs in biology; and became well established in new areas such as nanofabrication and sustainable energy.
  • Caltech’s culture of discovery and risk-taking was greatly advanced, providing the means to conduct basic, discovery-driven research and catalyzing greater cross-fertilization among disciplines.
  • Caltech strengthened its wealth of human talent, attracting and retaining top faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students.

Download the CaItech Evaluation Summary of Findings.


 

KEY DATA POINTS

Caltech Commitment

$300 million to support basic research and discovery science in the life and physical sciences.
  • first award

    Apr 2002

  • grants to date

    $310,000,000

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