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Science and Engineering Research

Keck (W. M.) Foundation

The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Medical Research and Science & Engineering 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.

Funding Guidelines

Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for projects that are consistent with the Research Program’s funding priorities:

We Fund Projects That:

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
Grants to individuals

We Do Not Fund:

Public policy research
General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners, or mass mailings
Book publication and film productions
Conference or seminar sponsorship
Medical devices and translational research
Treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development
Capital Projects

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🚀 1. Transformative, "Ahead of Its Time" Research

Most critical predictor: a bold, novel idea with potential to reshape an entire field.

Projects often:

Challenge current paradigms.

Are too risky or unconventional for NIH, NSF, or DOE funding.

Propose new mechanisms, tools, or technologies (e.g., new imaging modalities, synthetic biology approaches, quantum-based sensors).

🔬 2. Compelling Preliminary Data Supporting a Big Idea

Keck does not fund ideas that are purely theoretical.

Competitive proposals include early pilot data showing feasibility — even from a small model system, prototype, or first-generation results.

🧠 3. Track Record of the PI/Team

Funded PIs are often established investigators with major prior impact (NIH R01s, NSF CAREER, etc.).

Experience with multidisciplinary research, high-profile publications, and institutional leadership roles are common among winners.

Occasionally, a younger PI with a strong mentor or collaborative structure is funded, but less frequently.

🏛 4. Institutional Endorsement and Selection

Keck allows only one Phase I application per research area per institution per cycle (medical or science/engineering).

Institutions with robust internal vetting processes (e.g., pitch competitions, review panels) are more likely to submit highly competitive proposals.

Strong institutional letters and resource commitments are key.

📉 5. Clearly Outside the Scope of Federal Funding

A successful proposal makes it clear:

The idea is too new or speculative for federal agencies right now.

It has been or would be rejected by NIH/NSF because it’s not yet proven or lacks data depth.

Keck funding would bridge that gap, enabling the team to later pursue larger federal grants.

🧭 6. Strategic Narrative and Simplicity

Proposals tell a clear and compelling story:

What’s the big idea?

Why is it different and impactful?

Why is Keck the only funder who would take this risk?

Avoiding jargon and writing for an interdisciplinary review panel is a strong success marker.

🧾 Keck Foundation Grant Areas:

Medical Research

Science & Engineering Research

(Separately: Undergraduate Education for liberal arts colleges)

Typical award: ~$1 million over 3 years
Overhead cap: 10%

✅ Funded Project Traits (Examples):

Biophysics: Novel neural interface using noninvasive magnetothermal control

Synthetic Biology: Self-assembling nanostructures for drug delivery

Earth Science: First-of-its-kind instrumentation for deep crust imaging

Medical: Early-stage detection tool for neurodegenerative diseases using optical biosensors

Specialties

Data Science

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Research universities, medical colleges, and major private independent scientific and medical research institutes are eligible to apply to the Research Program.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Keck (W. M.) Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 515 South Flower Street Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 612-2000 info@wmkeck.org

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