The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is a private, nonprofit research institution and affiliate of the University of Chicago, located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Founded in 1888, the MBL operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to scientific discovery through research and education. The organization maintains laboratories for the scientific study of a wide range of biological topics, from biomedical to ecological research, and is notably affiliated with more than 60 Nobel Prize winners.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$245.0M
+2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
-10.2% YoY
Grant Count
24
-4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$104K
-6.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The MBL is dedicated to scientific discovery—exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education.
Research areas of focus include:
- New discoveries emerging from the study of new research organisms, encompassing studies in cell biology, regenerative biology, neuroscience, sensory physiology, and comparative evolution and genomics
- The study of microbiomes and microbial diversity and ecology in a variety of ocean, organismal, and terrestrial habitats
- Innovation in imaging and computation, illuminating cellular function and previously unknown biology
- Adaptation and resilience of environmental systems
The MBL trains students from high school to postdoctoral levels, with advanced graduate-level research courses central to its identity. Well over 500 scientists and faculty are involved annually in research and educational programs.
Grantmaking
The MBL offers the **Whitman Center Fellowships** as an active funding opportunity.
Ready to take the next step with Marine Biological Laboratory?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $245,049,089
- Total Revenue: $57,348,551
- Total Expenses: $55,742,822
- Total Liabilities: $35,400,000
As of 2022:
- Total Assets: $237,600,000
- Total Revenue: $59,800,000
- Total Investments: $98,300,000
Staffing:
- Approximately 250 year-round employees (as of most recent data), about half of which are scientists and scientific staff
- Approximately 385-436 total employees across the organization
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $245,049,089 | $238,727,925 | $237,578,536 |
| Revenue | $57,348,551 | $53,580,215 | $59,784,190 |
| Expenses | $55,742,822 | $54,031,145 | $49,044,602 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,469,377 | $1,435,221 | $5,816,791 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Marine Biological Laboratory
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Yale University ($596,110), University of Chicago ($327,972), University of Georgia Research Foundation ($307,980).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regents of the University of California Berkeley, CA | Research | $10,253 |
| University of California Irvine Ivine, CA | Research | $102,728 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Research | $327,972 |
| University of Georgia Research Foundation Athens, GA | Research | $307,980 |
| Clifford A Goudey & Associates Newburyport, MA | Research | $65,262 |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL | Research | $65,033 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette Layfayette, LA | Research | $19,120 |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA | Research | $7,438 |
| University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, MA | Research | $5,707 |
| Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | Research | $21,505 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees: William I. Huyett
- Director: Nipam Patel
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Paul Alivisatos | Former Chair of the Board of Trustees | 1 | — |
| Juan J de Pablo | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Lori Berko | Secretary of the MBL Corporation | 2 | — |
| Nipam H Patel | Director of the MBL | 40 | $461,683 |
| Paul E Speer | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $310,625 |
| Linda Hyman | Director of Education | 40 | $292,423 |
| Anne Sylvester | Director, Division of Research | 40 | $282,970 |
| Joshua Rosenthal | Senior Scientist | 40 | $239,825 |
| Mary S Harrington | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $226,703 |
| David B Mark Welch | Senior Scientist | 40 | $195,226 |
| Sebastien Laye | Former Chief Advancement Officer | — | — |
| Scott Koerner | Director of Information Technology | 40 | $184,949 |
| Jennifer Morgan | Director of the Eugene Bell Center | 40 | $214,504 |
| Marie Russell | Director of Facilities and Services | 40 | $212,662 |
| William I Huyett | Chair of the Board of Trustees | 1 | — |
| Saul J Pannell | Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees | 1 | — |
| Walter E Massey | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brien M OBrien | Trustee | — | — |
| Catherine E Hibbitt | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Christopher G Kennedy | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Constance T Keller | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David A Greene | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dyann F Wirth | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ethan A Lerner | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John W McCarter | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John W Rowe | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Margaret J Fofonoff | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Patrice O Yarbough | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Peter D Barbey | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ronald P OHanley | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Samme L Thompson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Susan M Fitzpatrick | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Timothy A Springer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| William A Linton | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jean A King | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Avram Hershko | Trustee | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The MBL announced a $5 million gift from Valerie and John W. Rowe to support graduate education, described as one of the largest gifts for its biological education and research programs.
Marine Biological Laboratory Receives $5 Million Gift from Valerie and JohnContact Information
- Address: 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Phone: 508-289-7423
- Website: www.mbl.edu
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Marine Biological Laboratory fund?
The MBL is dedicated to scientific discovery—exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education. Research areas of focus include: • New discoveries emerging from the study of new research organisms, encompassing studies in cell biology, regenerative biology, neuroscience, sensory physiology, and comparative evolution and genomics • The study of microbiomes and microbial diversity and ecology in a variet…
How do I apply for a grant from Marine Biological Laboratory?
The MBL offers the **Whitman Center Fellowships** as an active funding opportunity. Recent major gifts include a $5 million gift from Valerie and John W. Rowe to support graduate education and biological education and research programs.
What size grants does Marine Biological Laboratory award?
In 2024, Marine Biological Laboratory awarded 24 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $104K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Marine Biological Laboratory's EIN?
Marine Biological Laboratory's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2104690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marine Biological Laboratory's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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