Eligible U.S. Institutions Research universities Medical schools Major, independent scientific and medical research institutions Institutions Ineligible for Funding Those that are located outside the United States Those that do not have a tax-exempt ruling determination from the U.S. government and (if located in California) the State of California Those in existence less than 5 years Those that cannot provide current full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis Private foundations as defined in IRS Section 509(a) or 170(b), or public charities that are not classified under IRS Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) "Conduit" organizations, unified funds, or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals Subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements Institutional Criteria Exemplary institutions and organizations with a history of achievement and effective management Institutions and organizations whose financial condition is strong, as demonstrated by their current, full, certified audited financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles Programmatic Criteria Projects for which one or more of the following applies: focus on emerging areas of research at the forefront of science, engineering and/or medicine have the potential to lead to breakthrough technologies are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary Demonstrate a high level of risk in that the research pushes the edge of its field, represents unconventional approaches to intransigent problems, or challenges the prevailing paradigm have the potential for transformative impact, such as creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of new knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives. fall outside the mission of public funding agencies demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W.M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project's success. Projects Ineligible for Funding Routine institutional or general operating expenses, general endowments, deficit reduction, or general and/or administrative overhead expenses General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners, mass mailings or direct mail campaigns Clinical research or treatment trials Acquisition, construction or major renovation of facilities Conference or seminar sponsorship Book publication and film or theater productions Projects to be undertaken outside the United States Public policy research or activities of any kind Projects requesting a grant of over $5 million, other than special projects initiated by the Foundation Science & Engineering and Medical Research Undergraduate Education Southern California Program