Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
The Michelson Medical Research Foundation (MMRF) is a private foundation established in 1995 to support high-risk, high-potential medical research. Based in Los Angeles, California, the foundation accelerates the translation of scientific ideas into therapies with real-world impact. MMRF operates as part of the broader Michelson Philanthropies network and has invested over $200 million in forward-thinking medical research across multiple disciplines.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$250.8M
-6.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$40.3M
+222.7% YoY
Grant Count
8
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5.0M
+142.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $12.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
MMRF was created to support researchers as they translate ideas into therapies that make an impact as quickly as possible. The foundation provides vital support through programmatic grants, research prizes, and strategic investments.
Primary funding areas include:
- Immunology, vaccines, and immunotherapy discovery — the primary focus of Michelson Prizes
- Infectious and degenerative disease research
- Spine injury and disorder treatments
- Vaccine development aimed at eradicating infectious diseases
- Surgical technology advancement
- Ethical treatment of animals in medicine
While awards focus on immunology, vaccine development, and immunotherapy research, applicants from related disciplines are encouraged to apply, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer and data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, biophysics, and nanotechnology.
Grantmaking
In August 2024, MMRF made a landmark $120 million gift to UCLA to establish the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to transformative institutional investments alongside individual researcher support.
How to Apply
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals outside of their structured grant programs
Ready to take the next step with Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
International, with U.S. base. The foundation accepts global applications and has designated over $200 million to forward-thinking medical research globally.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (2023) | $268,147,175 |
| Total Assets (2024) | $250,750,104 |
| Total Revenues (2023) | $9,822,170 |
| Total Expenses (2023) | $13,246,781 |
| Total Giving (2024) | $40,310,700 |
| Annual Giving (2023) | $12,492,560 |
The foundation maintains significant assets and demonstrates consistent annual giving in support of its research mission.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $250,750,104 | $268,147,175 | $260,054,130 |
| Revenue | $17,401,936 | $9,822,170 | $68,548,925 |
| Expenses | $113,369,932 | $13,246,781 | $12,275,467 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $40,619,477 | $12,604,675 | $11,231,190 |
| Net Investment Income | $17,002,969 | $9,652,494 | $77,727,304 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,754,992 | $13,330,800 | $11,349,015 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Ucla Foundation - Ciii ($20,000,000), The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc ($8,300,000), Michelson Philanthropies Inc ($8,200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc LOS ANGELES, CA | BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS. | $8,300,000 |
| THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC LOS ANGELES, CA | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. | $2,700,000 |
| Michelson Philanthropies Inc Los Angeles, CA | carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. | $8,200,000 |
| THE UC REGENTS (UCLA) LOS ANGELES, CA | UCLA MEDICAL HOSPITALITY PROGRAM | $8,700 |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE SANTA MONICA, CA | INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MOBILITY. | $100,000 |
| THE SURGERY EDUCATION FUND (FUND 15) LOS ANGELES, CA | MEDICAL-SURGERY EDUCATION SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| CA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY LOS ANGELES, CA | To cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding | $1,000,000 |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION - CIII LOS ANGELES, CA | TO FUND CIII FOR THE MICROBIOME AND RAPID VACCINE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | $20,000,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was founded by Dr. Gary K. Michelson, an orthopedic spinal surgeon and prolific medical inventor with nearly 1,000 patents worldwide. The foundation operates with support from Alya Michelson.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARY KARLIN MICHELSON M D | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT & CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAVID COHEN | SECRETARY/CFO | 1 | — |
| ALYA MICHELSON | DIRECTOR & CO-CHAIR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024:** Awarded $120 million to UCLA for the establishment of the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy
**2024:** Announced Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants recipients, awarding $150,000 to three early-career scientists researching immunology and vaccines through partnership with the Human Immunome Project
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Awards $750,000 to Rising Immunology**Recent:** Awarded $750,000 to rising immunology leaders through the Michelson Prizes program
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Awards $750,000 to Rising Immunology**Recent:** Supported research including Benjamin Morehouse's work on ancient immunity targeting antimicrobial resistance
Benjamin Morehouse\u2019s Ancient Immunity Breakthrough Targets Antimicrobial\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc fund?
MMRF was created to support researchers as they translate ideas into therapies that make an impact as quickly as possible. The foundation provides vital support through programmatic grants, research prizes, and strategic investments. Primary funding areas include: • **Immunology, vaccines, and immunotherapy discovery** — the primary focus of Michelson Prizes • Infectious and degenerative disease research • Spine injury and disorder treatments • Vaccine development aimed at eradicating infectiou…
How do I apply for a grant from Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc?
**Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants** — Awards to early-career scientists conducting innovative research in immunology and vaccines. Recent recipients received $150,000 grants. • **Typical award range:** $1,000 to $20,000,000 • **Annual giving:** Approximately $12.5 million (2023: $12,492,560) • **Total giving (2024):** $40,310,700 • **Decision timeline:** 3-6 months (initial notification August/September, final decisions December) • **Application process:** The foundation does not accep…
Where does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc make grants?
International, with U.S. base. The foundation accepts global applications and has designated over $200 million to forward-thinking medical research globally.
What size grants does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc awarded 8 grants totaling $40.3M — an average of about $5.0M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $12.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's EIN?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4551615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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