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Science and Engineering Research Program is sponsored by W M Keck Foundation. Supports high-risk, high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to physical sciences and engineering. The foundation prioritizes basic research that falls outside the mission of traditional federal funding agencies and has the potential to break open new territory in its field.
Geographic focus: National
Focus areas: Science, Engineering, Physical Sciences
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
Research: Overview - W.M. Keck Foundation The W. M. Keck Foundation Southern California Awards Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects. The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling. All communication with the Foundation, including submitting applications, proposals and reports must be via the institution’s designated liaison. Please see the liaison guidelines for more information on this role. Prospective Applicant Information Please download this info here We are looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. We fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions. High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms High-risk, high-reward proposals are welcome What We Look For in Proposals Project overview: What are the unique aspects, positioning relative to field, preliminary data, if available Methodologies: What is validated, what is new Key personnel: Why is this the right team Knowledge gap: What is the basic scientific question to be answered Impact: What will ~$1M enable Innovation: How is this distinctive from existing work, esp. any recent similar awards by Keck, in what ways does it challenge existing norms Risk: What features of this project are high-risk Typical awards: $1M–$1.3M over 3 years Two limited submission funding cycles per year No indirect costs—institution provides in-kind support by waiving IDC Faculty salary + benefits: up to 10% annually Total PI/Co-PI salaries: up to 20% of total budget Tuition + fees: Up to 25k per student annually, not to exceed 10% of the total budget; institution matches any gaps PIs must be tenure-track faculty or equivalent (normally eligible to submit proposals without exceptional approvals) Past grantees may apply on significantly different projects No resubmission of declined proposals No follow-on funding for previous awards Institutional Best
Application snapshot: target deadline May 1, 2026; published funding information $500,000 - $5,000,000 (typically $1M - $1.3M); eligibility guidance Accredited universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools. Applications must be submitted through a designated institutional liaison; individuals cannot apply directly.
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Research: Overview - W. M. Keck Foundation The W.
M. Keck Foundation Southern California Awards Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions The W. M.
Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.
Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects.
The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling. All communication with the Foundation, including submitting applications, proposals and reports must be via the institution’s designated liaison. Please see the liaison guidelines for more information on this role.
Prospective Applicant Information Please download this info here We are looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. We fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions.
High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms High-risk, high-reward proposals are welcome What We Look For in Proposals Project overview: What are the unique aspects, positioning relative to field, preliminary data, if available Methodologies: What is validated, what is new Key personnel: Why is this the right team Knowledge gap: What is the basic scientific question to be answered Impact: What will ~$1M enable Innovation: How is this distinctive from existing work, esp.
any recent similar awards by Keck, in what ways does it challenge existing norms Risk: What features of this project are high-risk Typical awards: $1M–$1.
3M over 3 years Two limited submission funding cycles per year No indirect costs—institution provides in-kind support by waiving IDC Faculty salary + benefits: up to 10% annually Total PI/Co-PI salaries: up to 20% of total budget Tuition + fees: Up to 25k per student annually, not to exceed 10% of the total budget; institution matches any gaps PIs must be tenure-track faculty or equivalent (normally eligible to submit proposals without exceptional approvals) Past grantees may apply on significantly different projects No resubmission of declined proposals No follow-on funding for previous awards Institutional Best Practices Utilize an internal committee engaging administrators and senior faculty Select proposals focused on fundamental basic science, not applied or translational research Provide coaching and feedback to PIs on fit to Keck mission Medical devices or bench-to-bedside translational research Projects solely focused on engineering equipment, tools, or materials Engineering for efficiency, optimization or cost reduction Clinical trials, therapies, procedures Drug discovery, development, or delivery Disease biomarker screening Digital twin implementations User facilities or equipment for shared facilities Supplements, renewals, or follow-on funding Conferences or science policy Institutions that have not previously applied to the W.
M. Keck Foundation, or have changed their tax status, should verify their eligibility before contacting the Foundation. We strongly encourage eligible institutions to schedule a call with the Foundation during the pre-application concept counseling period.
Potential applicants will receive feedback on proposal viability. Any eligible institution may submit an application for consideration by the Foundation. This includes a project summary, description, and budget.
Institutions invited from Phase I may submit a detailed proposal for final consideration by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Principal Investigators give a presentation to Foundation staff and answer questions regarding their proposal. After receiving a grant, the grantee provides reports on the progress of the grant to the Foundation.
Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for projects that are consistent with the Research Program’s funding priorities: Focus on important and emerging areas of research Have potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation, or methodologies Are innovative, distinctive, and interdisciplinary Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches or challenge the prevailing paradigm Have potential for transformative impact such as the founding of a new field of research, enabling of new observations, or altering perception of a previously intractable problem Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies Demonstrate that W.
M.
Keck Foundation support is essential to the project’s success General operating expenses, endowments, or deficit reduction General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners, or mass mailings Book publication and film productions Conference or seminar sponsorship The Foundation awards grants twice annually in June and December: For the June grant cycle: Concept Counseling Deadline (optional) Notification of Invitation to Submit Full Proposal Phase II Proposal Deadline November 1 by 4:30pm (PT) For the December grant cycle: Concept Counseling Deadline (optional) Notification of Invitation to Submit Full Proposal Phase II Proposal Deadline If any deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is 4:30pm (PT) the following Monday.
Research universities, medical colleges, and major private independent scientific and medical research institutes are eligible to apply to the Research Program.
Organizations must be prepared to provide: An IRS determination letter demonstrating exemption from federal taxation as defined by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and designating one of the following: • A public charity as defined by Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) or 170(b)(A)(I-VI) of the Internal Revenue Code. • An exempt operating foundation as defined by Section 4940(d)(2).
A California FTB letter demonstrating exemption from California State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, if located in the State of California. Current full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
If in existence less than five years, the organization must be able to provide at least two consecutive full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis. The most recently filed complete Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), including Public Charity Status and Public Support (Schedule A).
• Any organization designated as an exempt operating foundation must be able to provide the most recently filed complete Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF) in place of Form 990. Will be part of a collaborative project, the lead institution must be identified and all members must meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements. We may request additional documentation from the other members of the collaboration.
Is a government unit as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(v) and (c)(1) and, therefore, does not receive a determination letter as to such organization’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, the organization must submit a Declaration of Status signed by the organization’s Chief Executive or President and by its Chief Legal Officer.
The declaration must specify: • the federal, state or local laws pursuant to which the organization is created and governed; • whether the organization also is a school as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), hospital or medical research institute as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) or other organization described in Section 170(b) • that the organization is legally and financially responsible for its debts; and • that the organization is not a non-operating private foundation within the meaning of Section 509.
Is part of a group that received a determination letter as to such group’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, such organization must provide such determination letter that identifies such organization as part of such group. Such organization must also provide an attestation as to the continued group status of such organization.
Such attestation must be signed by the organization’s chief executive or president and by its chief legal officer. The Form 990 required for such organization may be the Form 990 of the group. All tax-exempt documentation, audited financial statements and the Form 990 must be in the same, current and full name of the qualifying organization.
We will consider the management and fiscal condition of an institution when reviewing an institution for eligibility. The Parties to a grant agreement will agree it is deemed to have been entered into in the County of Los Angeles, State of California; and, California law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the grant provisions.
Private foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizations Institutions that are located outside the United States Institutions that do not have at least three consecutive years of full, certified, audited financial statements Institutions that do not have a tax-exempt ruling from the federal government and (if located in California) the State of California; or if a government unit, do not provide a signed Declaration of Status Institutions that are subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements “Conduit” organizations, unified funds or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals Liaisons may contact research@wmkeck.
org in advance to check eligibility and tax requirements. Southern California Program
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Accredited universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools. Applications must be submitted through a designated institutional liaison; individuals cannot apply directly. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $500,000 - $5,000,000 (typically $1M - $1.3M) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Medical Research Program is sponsored by W M Keck Foundation. Supports pioneering biological and life sciences research that is transformative and novel. The program focuses on basic research that questions prevailing paradigms or develops new methodologies/instrumentation. It excludes clinical trials, treatment trials, applied, or translational work. Geographic focus: National Focus areas: Medical Research, Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt: Research: Overview - W.M. Keck Foundation The W. M. Keck Foundation Southern California Awards Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects. The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling. All communication with the Foundation, including submitting applications, proposals and reports must be via the institution’s designated liaison. Please see the liaison guidelines for more information on this role. Prospective Applicant Information Please download this info here We are looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. We fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions. High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms High-risk, high-reward proposals are welcome What We Look For in Proposals Project overview: What are the unique aspects, positioning relative to field, preliminary data, if available Methodologies: What is validated, what is new Key personnel: Why is this the right team Knowledge gap: What is the basic scientific question to be answered Impact: What will ~$1M enable Innovation: How is this distinctive from existing work, esp. any recent similar awards by Keck, in what ways does it challenge existing norms Risk: What features of this project are high-risk Typical awards: $1M–$1.3M over 3 years Two limited submission funding cycles per year No indirect costs—institution provides in-kind support by waiving IDC Faculty salary + benefits: up to 10% annually Total PI/Co-PI salaries: up to 20% of total budget Tuition + fees: Up to 25k per student annually, not to exceed 10% of the total budget; institution matches any gaps PIs must be tenure-track faculty or equivalent (normally eligible to submit proposals without exceptional approvals) Past grantees may apply on significantly different projects No resubmission of declined proposals No follow-on funding for previous awards Institutional Best Application snapshot: target deadline May 1, 2026; published funding information $500,000 - $5,000,000 (typically $1M - $1.3M); eligibility guidance Accredited universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools. Applications must be submitted through a designated institutional liaison. Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Undergraduate Education Program is sponsored by W M Keck Foundation. Promotes distinctive learning and research experiences in science, engineering, and the liberal arts. The program focuses on enhancing undergraduate research and fostering innovative pedagogy. Geographic focus: Designated Western States Focus areas: Undergraduate Education, STEM Education, Liberal Arts Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt: Research: Overview - W.M. Keck Foundation The W. M. Keck Foundation Southern California Awards Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects. The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling. All communication with the Foundation, including submitting applications, proposals and reports must be via the institution’s designated liaison. Please see the liaison guidelines for more information on this role. Prospective Applicant Information Please download this info here We are looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. We fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions. High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms High-risk, high-reward proposals are welcome What We Look For in Proposals Project overview: What are the unique aspects, positioning relative to field, preliminary data, if available Methodologies: What is validated, what is new Key personnel: Why is this the right team Knowledge gap: What is the basic scientific question to be answered Impact: What will ~$1M enable Innovation: How is this distinctive from existing work, esp. any recent similar awards by Keck, in what ways does it challenge existing norms Risk: What features of this project are high-risk Typical awards: $1M–$1.3M over 3 years Two limited submission funding cycles per year No indirect costs—institution provides in-kind support by waiving IDC Faculty salary + benefits: up to 10% annually Total PI/Co-PI salaries: up to 20% of total budget Tuition + fees: Up to 25k per student annually, not to exceed 10% of the total budget; institution matches any gaps PIs must be tenure-track faculty or equivalent (normally eligible to submit proposals without exceptional approvals) Past grantees may apply on significantly different projects No resubmission of declined proposals No follow-on funding for previous awards Institutional Best Application snapshot: target deadline May 1, 2026; published funding information Not specified; eligibility guidance Undergraduate colleges located in designated Western states (typically Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Southern California Program is sponsored by W M Keck Foundation. Promotes the healthy development of children and youth, strengthens families, and enriches the lives of vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County. Areas of interest include early childhood care and education, health care, pre-collegiate education, and civic and community services. Geographic focus: Los Angeles County, CA Focus areas: Children and Youth, Health Care, Arts and Culture, Civic and Community Services, Pre-collegiate Education Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt: Research: Overview - W.M. Keck Foundation The W. M. Keck Foundation Southern California Awards Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects. The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling. All communication with the Foundation, including submitting applications, proposals and reports must be via the institution’s designated liaison. Please see the liaison guidelines for more information on this role. Prospective Applicant Information Please download this info here We are looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. We fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions. High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms High-risk, high-reward proposals are welcome What We Look For in Proposals Project overview: What are the unique aspects, positioning relative to field, preliminary data, if available Methodologies: What is validated, what is new Key personnel: Why is this the right team Knowledge gap: What is the basic scientific question to be answered Impact: What will ~$1M enable Innovation: How is this distinctive from existing work, esp. any recent similar awards by Keck, in what ways does it challenge existing norms Risk: What features of this project are high-risk Typical awards: $1M–$1.3M over 3 years Two limited submission funding cycles per year No indirect costs—institution provides in-kind support by waiving IDC Faculty salary + benefits: up to 10% annually Total PI/Co-PI salaries: up to 20% of total budget Tuition + fees: Up to 25k per student annually, not to exceed 10% of the total budget; institution matches any gaps PIs must be tenure-track faculty or equivalent (normally eligible to submit proposals without exceptional approvals) Past grantees may apply on significantly different projects No resubmission of declined proposals No follow-on funding for previous awards Institutional Best Application snapshot: target deadline July 1, 2026; published funding information Minimum $100,000; eligibility guidance 501(c)(3) organizations headquartered in or with independent operations in Los Angeles County. Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
