Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: Research Projects Grant

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides grants to support innovative research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The Foundation prioritizes projects led by exceptional individuals or teams that promise significant societal benefits. It aims to fund initiatives that demonstrate methodological rigor and are not widely supported by other funding sources. Notably, the Foundation excludes grants for political activities, for-profit institutions, and certain fields such as humanities and religion.

NOTE: Due to the volume of inquires we receive, it can take up to 8 weeks to receive a Foundation response to a letter of inquiry. If more than 8 weeks have passed since you submitted your letter of inquiry, it is appropriate to send an email to the relevant program director to inquire about its status.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation makes grants primarily to support original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The Foundation believes that these fields—and the scholars and practitioners who work in them—are chief drivers of the nation's health and prosperity. The Foundation also believes that a reasoned, systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all.
Research Projects Grants
Projects that involve both a research component and a non-research component (for example, you plan both to conduct research and hold several workshops to shape and/or disseminate this research or you plan to launch a campus-based DEI initiative that includes evaluative research) are considered research projects for the purpose of which guidelines to use.

Eligibility

In selecting projects for funding, the Foundation seeks proposals for original initiatives led by outstanding individuals or teams.We are interested in projects that have a high expected return to society, exhibit a high degree of methodological rigor, and for which funding from the private sector, government, or other foundations is not yet widely available.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not make grants to political campaigns, to support political activities, or to lobby for or against particular pieces of legislation.The Foundation does not make grants to individuals except through its Books program.The Foundation does not generally make grants to for-profit institutions.The Foundation does not make grants in religion, medical research, or research in the humanities.The Foundation does not make grants aimed at pre-college students except through its New York City initiative. The Foundation does not make grants to projects in the creative or performing arts except when those projects are related to educating the public about science, technology, or economics.The Foundation does not make grants for endowments, fundraising drives, or fundraising dinners.The Foundation does not make grants in support of the purchase, construction, or renovation of buildings or laboratories. On some occasions, the Foundation will support the purchase or construction of scientific equipment if such equipment is essential to the success of a Foundation-supported research project or educational initiative.