The Robert a Welch Foundation
The Robert A Welch Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1954, it supports fundamental chemical research through grants and other programs at educational institutions in Texas.
The Robert a Welch Foundation at a glance
In short: The Robert a Welch Foundation gave $38.3M across 69 grants in 2025 (avg $556K), mostly in Texas. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $38,348,669
- -2.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 69
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $555,778
- -9.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $105,000
- Total assets
- $622,661,472
- +0.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (7 of 67, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Robert a Welch Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Review the Foundation’s program guidelines and requirements for eligibility, application materials, and deadlines. Research grant proposals are submitted through the designated proposal portal; departmental and Catalyst for Discovery proposals are by invitation.
- Review Cycle
- Research grant proposals are due annually by January 31 at noon CST. Departmental grant proposals are due by invitation annually by September 15 at noon CST.
- Deadline
- Research grant proposals are due annually by January 31 at noon CST.
- Contact
Application contact: The Robert A Welch Foundation
Mailing address: 1717 West Loop South Suite 1661, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 961-9884
Website: https://welch1.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Robert a Welch Foundation
Welch Foundation Endowed Chairs Grant
The Robert a Welch Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Welch Foundation Postdoctoral Fellows Grant
The Robert a Welch Foundation
Amount
US $231,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Welch Foundation Research Grant
The Robert a Welch Foundation
Amount
More than US $351,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Robert a Welch Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The University of Texas at Austin ($8.0M). Together the top 10 received $30.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($600,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
320 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 129 grants of 320 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s programs support educational institutions in Texas. All grant dollars reported in its 2025 filing went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Robert a Welch Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 67 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $91K; repeat grants $618K. How we count
Medians: $80K first-time, $118K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $31.0M (2021) to $41.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 69 grants totaling $38.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $7,964,000 |
| The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $6,170,000 |
| Rice University Houston, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $4,167,740 |
| University of Houston Houston, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $3,300,000 |
| Texas A&M University College Station, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $2,945,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $2,600,000 |
| The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $1,503,000 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $720,000 |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields | $700,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $600,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Robert a Welch Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $622,661,472 | $52,712,190 | $41,889,702 | $38,348,669 | 69 | $43,051,923 | $49,771,268 | $43,486,470 |
| 2024 | $618,985,573 | $36,837,109 | $64,302,362 | $39,330,990 | 64 | $43,542,974 | $19,502,043 | $43,065,152 |
| 2023 | $631,106,968 | $47,618,127 | $68,810,256 | $41,180,687 | 62 | $46,651,075 | $26,902,694 | $43,507,874 |
| 2022 | $632,081,532 | $60,351,309 | $34,107,139 | $37,965,687 | 64 | $42,282,196 | $88,216,522 | $46,253,863 |
| 2021 | $621,244,296 | $61,396,407 | $34,459,483 | $31,014,406 | 61 | — | $38,716,062 | $42,366,984 |
| 2020 | $599,029,570 | $39,430,202 | $128,682,687 | $31,186,149 | 64 | — | $33,505,980 | $35,910,405 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert a Welch Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation supports fundamental chemical research and related fields in Texas. Its website describes support for research at Texas educational institutions through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs, and special projects.
Its 2025 grants show support for a range of Texas universities and colleges. For example, Baylor College of Medicine describes its own mission as advancing human health through patient care, research, education, and community services. Baylor University describes its mission as educating students for worldwide leadership and service, while Trinity University describes its mission as excellence in teaching, research, and services.
The Foundation also sponsors the Welch Award in Chemistry, which recognizes important chemical research contributions with a significant positive influence on humankind, and the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research, which recognizes early-career chemical scientists conducting research in Texas. Its website describes an annual chemical research conference and programs including student scholarships and summer research opportunities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 69 grants totaling $38,348,669. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $7,964,000, with a median of $105,000. The largest grants included $7,964,000 to the University of Texas at Austin, $6,170,000 to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, $4,167,740 to Rice University, $3,300,000 to the University of Houston, and $2,945,000 to Texas A&M University. The stated purpose for these institutional grants was basic research in chemistry and related fields.
The Foundation’s website says research grants provide $117,000 per year for chemistry research led by a full-time regular faculty member with tenure or on a tenure track. Eligible institutions must be in Texas and listed as educational institutions by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Research grant proposals are submitted through the designated proposal portal; the stated annual deadline is January 31 at noon CST.
Departmental grants support chemistry and closely related fields, including student research experience, and focus on small and medium-sized Texas educational institutions. Applications are by invitation only, with a stated annual deadline of September 15 at noon CST. The Catalyst for Discovery Program invites Texas institutions with substantial chemical research programs to submit proposals; it states that up to two awards of $5 million each may be made annually. The Foundation’s filing directs applicants to its program guidelines and requirements for application materials and deadlines, and states that awards are restricted to basic research in chemistry and related fields in Texas.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Fred W Brazelton as chair and director, Gina A Luna as vice chair and director, Carin M Barth as treasurer and director, Carolyn C Sabat as secretary and director, and Douglas L Foshee as director. Adam Kuspa is listed as president and Loan Kieu as chief financial officer.
The Robert a Welch Foundation is led by Adam Kuspa, President on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Adam Kuspa
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$517K (2020) → $815K (2025)
Fred W. Brazelton
Chair & Director
Secretary & Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2022
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $50K (2025)
Carin M. Barth
Treasurer & Director
Chair & Director → Director, 2022
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $35K (2025)
Douglas L. Foshee
Director
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2022
Chair & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $35K (2025)
Gina A. Luna
Vice Chair & Director
Treasurer & Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
Secretary & Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $35K (2025)
Carolyn C. Sabat
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$12K (2024) → $35K (2025)
Loan Kieu
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$214K (2024) → $278K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Ronald Page (2020–2024) — Ex-Chief Financial Officer
- Former: William F McKeon (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Norbert Dittrich (2020) — Past President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $815K, to Adam Kuspa (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert a Welch Foundation
How much does The Robert a Welch Foundation give each year?
The Robert a Welch Foundation gave $38.3M across 69 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $39.3M across 64 grants.
What is The Robert a Welch Foundation's typical grant size?
The Robert a Welch Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $105,000, and its average grant was $555,778, across 69 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert a Welch Foundation that year got $91K on average.
Where does The Robert a Welch Foundation give grants?
The Robert a Welch Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (9 grants), Austin, TX (5 grants), San Antonio, TX (5 grants) and Dallas, TX (3 grants).
Does The Robert a Welch Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on The Robert a Welch Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Basic Research in Chemistry and Related Fields" (67 grants).
Who are The Robert a Welch Foundation's largest grantees?
The Robert a Welch Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The University of Texas at Austin ($7,964,000), The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center ($6,170,000) and Rice University ($4,167,740), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($600,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert a Welch Foundation?
The Robert a Welch Foundation reported $622.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $43.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $43.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Robert a Welch Foundation fund?
The Foundation supports fundamental chemical research and related fields in Texas. Its website describes support for research at Texas educational institutions through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs, and special projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert a Welch Foundation?
Review the Foundation’s program guidelines and requirements for eligibility, application materials, and deadlines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Robert a Welch Foundation's EIN?
The Robert a Welch Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0343128. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert a Welch Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert a Welch Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-a-welch-foundation-morg_17ee0ef6e8534c958a575ecdde2331a2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760343128_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert a Welch Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-a-welch-foundation-morg_17ee0ef6e8534c958a575ecdde2331a2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Robert a Welch Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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