Concept Papers

Concept paper instructions for each program are listed below.  Please scroll down for the Southern California Program instructions.

Research Program and Undergraduate Education Program:

Please submit all concepts for the Research and Undergraduate Education programs with the designated cover page.

Note for first time applicants: If you are a new institution/applicant applying to the Foundation, please do so through your central development office and make sure to submit all the required tax and audit documentation listed under our Phase I Application instructions along with the concepts you wish to discuss.

For more information on scheduling a conference call, please see the Application Process and Overview page for your particular program of interest.

• Research Program: Application Process and Overview
• Undergraduate Education Program: Application Process and Overview

Single-paged concepts for the Research Program and Undergraduate Education Program should be in 12 point font with 1 inch margins and should include:

1. an overview of the proposed project emphasizing any unique aspects and pilot studies (for Research Program concepts, indicate area of emphasis for project - medical research or science and engineering research);
2. a description of the methodologies and key personnel;
3. a brief justification of the need for Keck support; and
4. an estimated budget broken down, if possible, by major areas, e.g., personnel, equipment, consumable supplies, etc. (budgets can be rough approximations at this stage).

If there’s room, the authors are free to add other details (e.g., background to put the research into perspective, description of the institution’s prominence in the field, etc.). Avoid illustrations in these single-pagers – the researchers will need all the room for text. If a reference is necessary, abbreviate it as (Science, 323, 45, ‘11). DO NOT USE (Jones et al., 2011).

Only one conference call will be scheduled for each institution to discuss all concepts. These may include up to 4 concepts in the Undergraduate Education Program; and up to 8 concepts in the Research Program as follows: up to 4 concepts in the Science and Engineering area and up to 4 concepts in the Medical Research area.

Send your concepts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Southern California Program:

Applicants are strongly urged to contact Foundation staff well in advance of submitting a Phase I application. However, before contacting the Foundation, please review the basic criteria for the Southern California Program on the Eligible Institutions page to ensure eligibility.

If the organization meets all of the criteria on the Eligible Institutions page, please call the Southern California Program Coordinator at 213-612-2038 to discuss next steps. Our program staff may request a concept paper about your project and if a consultation is recommended, it will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis during the pre-application counseling period.  This takes place between January 1 and February 15 leading up to a May 1 Phase I submission, or between July 1 and August 15 leading up to a November 1 Phase I submission. For more information about deadlines, please see our Grant Cycle Timeline.

Initial contact from a multi-unit organization (such as a college, university or agency branch location) must be coordinated through the institution’s central development office. Most colleges and universities have designated an official liaison to the Foundation. We will refer other personnel contacting the Foundation to their central liaison. 

Single-paged concepts for the Southern California Program should be in 12 point font with 1 inch margins and should contain:

1. an overview of the proposed project emphasizing any unique aspects, evidence of efficacy and/or piloted efforts
2. project timeline (if capital, specify construction start date)
3. estimated projectcost and funds raised to date
4. an explanation of how Keck dollars will be targeted and make a difference

In addition to the single-paged concept, please include a one-page fact sheet on the organization.

Send your concepts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..