| Q. |
What are the Foundation's funding priorities? |
| A. |
The Foundation's objective is to support outstanding science, engineering and medical research, leading to pioneering discoveries and breakthrough technologies; undergraduate education in the sciences, engineering and liberal arts emphasizing inventive approaches to instruction and effective involvement of students in research; and, in Southern California only, projects that will have a significant impact on arts and culture, civic and community service, early childhood and precollegiate education, and health care.
The Foundation strives to fund endeavors that are distinctive and novel in their approach. It encourages projects that are high-risk with the potential for transformative impact. "High-risk" comprises a number of factors, including questions that push the edge of the field, present unconventional approaches to intransient problems, or challenge the prevailing paradigm. "Transformative" may mean creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives.
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| Q. |
Do you give grants to individuals? |
| A. |
No, the Foundation only makes grants to eligible institutions.
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| Q. |
Do you give grants outside the United States? |
| A. |
No, the Foundation restricts its grantmaking to organizations located within the United States.
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| Q. |
Do you fund capital projects? |
| A. |
The Foundation does not fund capital projects in the Science and Engineering and Medical Research Programs or in the Undergraduate Science and Engineering and Liberal Arts Programs. However, the Southern California Grant Program currently does fund capital projects.
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| Q. |
What do you specifically not fund? |
| A. |
Funding is not considered for the following purposes:
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Routine institutional or general operating expenses, general endowments, deficit reduction, or general or administrative overhead expenses |
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General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners, or mass mailings |
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Support for conduit organizations, unified funds, or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals |
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Clinical research or treatment trials |
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Sponsorship of conferences or seminars |
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Publication of books or the production of films or theater |
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Public policy research or activities of any kind |
In the Southern California Grant Program, in addition to the above restrictions, funding is not considered for the following purposes: |
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Organizations not having their headquarters in Southern California, or in the case of national organizations, not having an independent affiliate located in Southern California that is operating strictly for the benefit of the Southern California community |
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Support for organizations or projects to be undertaken outside Southern California |
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| Q. |
Do I have to contact Foundation staff prior to submitting a request? |
| A. |
No, but we strongly urge applicants to contact the Foundation well in advance of submitting a Phase I application. Based on an initial conversation, Foundation staff may require additional preliminary information and may recommend a conference call or office visit with the institution's key administrative and scientific or program personnel.
Initial contact from a multi-unit organization (such as a college or university) must be coordinated through the institution's central development office. Most colleges and universities have designated an official liaison to the Foundation. Other personnel contacting the Foundation will be referred to the central liaison.
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| Q. |
How often can I apply for a grant? |
| A. |
Eligible applicants may submit one request per grant cycle to each of the Foundation's program areas: Science and Engineering Research; Medical Research; Undergraduate Science and Engineering; Liberal Arts; and Southern California. The Foundation will consider, on a case-by-case basis, new requests to any grant program area before a grant in that program has been fully expended.
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| Q. |
Do you give grants for general operating support? |
| A. |
No, the Foundation is unable to make grants for general operating support.
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| Q. |
Do you give grants to organizations outside California? |
| A. |
The Foundation's grants programs in Science and Engineering and Medical Research, and Undergraduate Science and Engineering and Liberal Arts fund projects nationwide. The Southern California Grant Program restricts its grants to organizations located in and providing services to communities in Southern California, with a major focus in Los Angeles County.
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| Q. |
Do you sponsor events or dinners? |
| A. |
No, the Foundation does not provide support for general campaigns, fundraising dinners, galas or special events.
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| Q. |
How do I determine if my organization is eligible to apply for a grant? |
| A. |
Organizations must have received a permanent, tax-exempt ruling determination from the federal government, including documentation verifying 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) status, and (as applicable) the State of California. Further, organizations must have a current full, certified, audited financial statement.
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| Q. |
Are there deadlines for applications? If so, what are the dates? |
| A. |
The Foundation has deadlines for both Phase I Applications and Phase II Proposals. Deadlines for Phase I Applications are 4:30 p.m. on May 1 to be considered for the December grant cycle, and 4:30 p.m. on November 1 to be considered for the June grant cycle. If either date on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is 4:30 p.m. the following Monday. The Foundation encourages earlier submissions.
Submission of Phase II proposals is by invitation only. The deadlines for invited proposals are 4:30 p.m. on February 15 for consideration at the June board meeting, and by 4:30 p.m. on August 15 for consideration at the December board meeting. If either date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is 4:30 p.m. the following Monday. The Foundation encourages earlier submissions.
All deadlines are based on Pacific Standard Time.
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| Q. |
When are grants made? |
| A. |
Grants are approved at the Foundation's board meetings in June and December.
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| Q. |
May I send an application by fax or email? |
| A. |
At this time, the Foundation is not accepting electronic or facsimile submissions of applications. However, staff may request additional information be sent to the Foundation via email.
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| Q. |
Can you suggest other possible funding sources? |
| A. |
We suggest contacting one of the Foundation Center's Funding Information Centers. The Information Centers contain reference collections on foundation and corporate giving. For the nearest location, you may wish to visit the Foundation Center Website at http://www.fdncenter.org, or call 212-620-4230.
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| Q. |
What is the average size and duration of your grants? |
| A. |
The average size and duration of grants varies by project and program area. Research grants range from $500,000 to $5 million, undergraduate education grants range from $250,000 to $5 million, and Southern California grants range from $100,000 to $1 million. Applicants are encouraged to contact staff in advance of any submission to discuss these issues.
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| Q. |
How many grants are made each year? |
| A. |
The number of grants made varies each year. For specific information about the Foundation's grants, please refer to the grants list or annual reports.
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| Q. |
Does your staff conduct site visits so we can present our project? |
| A. |
Yes. If an applicant is invited to submit a Phase II Proposal, staff may, at their discretion, conduct a site visit to gain additional information about the program or project.
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| Q. |
Does the Foundation provide scholarship or fellowship grants? |
| A. |
No, the Foundation does not make grants to individuals or provide scholarships or fellowships.
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| Q. |
How can I apply for a Young Scholars grant? |
| A. |
Individuals cannot apply directly. Participation in the W.M. Keck Foundation Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program is by invitation only. Information and guidelines for participation in this program are mailed to the participating institutions at the time of invitation. We do not disclose the names of the invited institutions.
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