Following the ideals of our founder, the W. M. Keck Foundation's objective is to support outstanding science, engineering and medical research, undergraduate education, and, in Southern California, community service projects that will have a significant impact in solving complex issues and problems. 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. The W.M. Keck Foundation makes grants to research institutions and accredited institutions of higher learning primarily in the areas of Science and Engineering and Medical Research. Eligible institutions in these fields are research universities, medical schools and major, independent scientific and medical research institutions. The Foundation's undergraduate programs focus on science, engineering and the liberal arts. Eligible institutions in these fields are four-year colleges and universities. The Foundation also maintains a Southern California Program which supports organizations providing arts and cultural enrichment, civic and community services, early childhood and pre-college education, and health care. Only organizations located in and serving the population of Southern California are eligible for consideration for this program. Please note that the Foundation does not make grants to individuals, or to organizations lacking a permanent tax-exempt ruling from the U.S. government (and the State of California, if applicable).