Research

Program Overview

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. Grants range from $1 million to $5 million and are typically $2 million or less. 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.

Application Process

Eligibility

Institutions that have not previously applied to the W. M. Keck Foundation, or have changed their tax status, should verify their eligibility before contacting the Foundation.

Concept Counseling

(optional)

We strongly encourage eligible institutions to schedule a call with the Foundation during the pre-application concept counseling period. Potential applicants will receive feedback on proposal viability.

Phase I Application

Any eligible institution may submit an application for consideration by the Foundation. This includes a project summary, description, and budget.

Phase II Proposal

Institutions invited from Phase I may submit a detailed proposal for final consideration by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Site Visit

Principal Investigators give a presentation to Foundation staff and answer questions regarding their proposal.

Reporting

After receiving a grant, the grantee provides reports on the progress of the grant to the Foundation.

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:

We Do Not Fund:

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
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

Grant Cycle Timeline

The Foundation awards grants twice annually in June and December:

For the June grant cycle:

Concept Counseling
(optional)

Phase I Application Deadline

Notification of Invitation to Submit Full Proposal

Phase II Proposal Deadline

July 15 to August 15

November 1 by 4:30pm (PT)

January 15

February 15
by 4:30pm (PT)

For the December grant cycle:

Concept Counseling
(optional)

Phase I Application Deadline

Notification of Invitation to Submit Full Proposal

Phase II Proposal Deadline

January 15 to February 15

May 1
by 4:30pm (PT)

July 15

August 15
by 4:30pm (PT)

If any deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is 4:30pm (PT) the following Monday.

ELIGIBILITY

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

Tax

Organizations must be prepared to provide:

An IRS determination letter demonstrating exemption from federal taxation as defined by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and designating one of the following:
• A public charity as defined by Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) or 170(b)(A)(I-VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• An exempt operating foundation as defined by Section 4940(d)(2).
A California FTB letter demonstrating exemption from California State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, if located in the State of California.
Current full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. If in existence less than five years, the organization must be able to provide at least two consecutive full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis.
The most recently filed complete Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), including Public Charity Status and Public Support (Schedule A).
• Any organization designated as an exempt operating foundation must be able to provide the most recently filed complete Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF) in place of Form 990.

Organization

If the Organization:

Will be part of a collaborative project, the lead institution must be identified and all members must meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements. We may request additional documentation from the other members of the collaboration.
Is a government unit as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(v) and (c)(1) and, therefore, does not receive a determination letter as to such organization’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, the organization must submit a Declaration of Status signed by the organization’s Chief Executive or President and by its Chief Legal Officer. The declaration must specify:
• the federal, state or local laws pursuant to which the organization is created and governed;
• whether the organization also is a school as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), hospital or medical research institute as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) or other organization described in Section 170(b)
• that the organization is legally and financially responsible for its debts; and
• that the organization is not a non-operating private foundation within the meaning of Section 509.
Is part of a group that received a determination letter as to such group’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, such organization must provide such determination letter that identifies such organization as part of such group. Such organization must also provide an attestation as to the continued group status of such organization. Such attestation must be signed by the organization’s chief executive or president and by its chief legal officer. The Form 990 required for such organization may be the Form 990 of the group.

Legal

All tax-exempt documentation, audited financial statements and the Form 990 must be in the same, current and full name of the qualifying organization.

We will consider the management and fiscal condition of an institution when reviewing an institution for eligibility.

The Parties to a grant agreement will agree it is deemed to have been entered into in the County of Los Angeles, State of California; and, California law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the grant provisions.

Ineligible for funding:

Grants to individuals
Private foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizations
Institutions that are located outside the United States
Institutions that do not have at least three consecutive years of full, certified, audited financial statements
Institutions that do not have a tax-exempt ruling from the federal government and (if located in California) the State of California; or if a government unit, do not provide a signed Declaration of Status
Institutions that are subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements
“Conduit” organizations, unified funds or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals

Liaisons may contact research@wmkeck.org in advance to check eligibility and tax requirements.