Reimagining Science's Social Compact: A call for Letters of Interest

Reimagining Science's Social Compact: A call for Letters of Interest is sponsored by The Kavli Foundation and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. This two-phase program seeks projects that expand ideas about the terms with which science operates in society, including expectations, obligations, and norms influencing how science is funded, conducted, governed, and held accountable.

Reimagining Science’s Social Compact: A Call for Letters of Interest You might be looking for: Reimagining Science’s Social Compact: A Call for Letters of Interest The Packard Foundation and The Kavli Foundation seek to fund projects that will expand the marketplace of ideas to identify and explore the terms with which science operates in society.

This includes the expectations, obligations, and norms that influence and direct how science is funded, conducted, governed, and held accountable to the public. These terms are often described as part of the social compact for science. This is Phase I of a two-phase application process.

Phase I is intended to invite concepts spanning the landscape of ideas. Based on the results of Phase I, we anticipate inviting select applications for funding in Phase II. If you do not submit a Letter of Interest in Phase I, you will not be eligible for funding in Phase II.

The launch of Phase II is at the discretion of the funders. Request for Letters of Interest Since World War II, the social compact for science in America was grounded in a framework put forth by Vannevar Bush’s Science: The Endless Frontier report.

This report described many facets of science including, but not limited to, the role of basic science, the role of universities, workforce development, the role of taxpayer dollars in supporting science, and self-review and regulation from scientists. Swift changes and disruptions to the scientific enterprise have increased the scrutiny and accelerated discussions around the existing social compact for science.

This scrutiny includes questioning whether a reimagined compact could result in a scientific enterprise that is more connected to the public whose tax dollars support it, resulting in a more resilient and better integrated research ecosystem.

The Packard Foundation and The Kavli Foundation seek to support projects that explore and generate perspectives on what reimagining the relationship between science and society, or the social compact for science, might look like. Work can be led by or include scientists, scholars, policy professionals, civic and community groups, or others.

The format of work proposed might include the following (these are provided for illustrative examples; ideas need not be limited to these). Convenings to surface and discuss ideas (workshops, panel discussions) Creating online discussion fora New publications, white papers, or other scholarly work Planning grants for larger-scale projects This will be a two-phase application process. Based on the results of Phase I: Letters of Interest.

Phase II will invite modest but more detailed proposals from select Phase I applicants. Projects with budgets of up to $75,000 will be considered. If a relevant project is already underway, LOIs may request funding for doing or extending this work.

Projects proposed do not need to, and should not, address every aspect of a reimagined relationship between science and society in a single proposal. Proposals on the following topics are beyond the scope of this call and will not be considered: Scientific research projects. Educational programming, including K-12 education.

Projects on the ethical practice of doing science, including projects on ensuring ethical research conduct (e.g., treatment of animal subjects, replication, or navigating an Institutional Review Board). Advocacy or work that includes a partisan or political agenda. Projects with a scope beyond the size of the budget (e.g., projects that aim to reimagine the entire scientific enterprise).

For projects with a large scope, you may submit a Letter of Interest for a planning grant, as noted above, or for funding a segment of the project that is commensurate with the budget available.

June 25, 2026 – Opportunity Announced July 22, 2026 – Applications Due for Phase I August 12, 2026 – Applicants notified of Phase I decisions, Phase II opens September 11, 2026 – Phase II applications due October 15, 2026 – Applicants notified of Phase II funding decisions Please submit a document with responses to the following questions to this submission link . Institutional Affiliation(s).

Position Title / Type (e.g., Assistant Professor, Director, Community Leader). Duration of the project (in months). Description of the proposed work including rationale and how the proposed work will proactively advance the central goal of reimagining the relationship between science and society (e.g., the social compact for science).

You may include a list of disciplines or collaborators who will (or may) be involved. (1000 word limit). References.

(Optional 300 words). Budget – Requested amount and a short justification. A detailed budget is NOT required.

(200 word limit). Please also note if your project could be adjusted to a reduced budget. Do you give permission for us to share this proposal with other funders?

(Yes/No) No additional materials or appendices will be considered. The intent of this request for Letters of Interest is to briefly communicate ideas and scope. Only individuals or organizations who submit a Letter of Interest in Phase I will be eligible to submit an application for funding in Phase II.

Only two Letters of Interest per lead PI will be reviewed. Only fully completed Letters of Interest submitted to this submission link will be considered. Applications due July 22, 2026 at 5PM PT For any other questions, contact [email protected] .