Kaufman Foundation: New Initiative Research Grants

Kaufman Foundation: New Initiative Research Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Charles E Kaufman Foundation
Amount: Up to US $300,000
Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Summary

The Kaufman Foundation's New Initiative Research Grants aim to foster interdisciplinary collaborations among experienced researchers in Pennsylvania. By encouraging partnerships that blend expertise across biology, physics, and chemistry, this program seeks innovative approaches to fundamental research questions. Up to four grants of $300,000 over two years will be awarded to proposals that showcase transformative intellectual advancements. Investigators must be affiliated with Pennsylvania institutions and reflect diverse scientific backgrounds to effectively address pressing research initiatives.

Overview

Note: The Foundation holds a virtual information session before submission deadlines featuring an overview of the history and structure of all Kaufman grants programs. Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory. Goal The goal of the New Initiative Research Grants program is to stimulate existing investigators with strong records of research accomplishments to establish collaborations that facilitate innovative interdisciplinary approaches towards a common research question and that require expertise beyond that of any single researcher. Investigators may be at different institutions in Pennsylvania or at the same institution in Pennsylvania, provided that different approaches are combined to address a new research initiative. Proposals are required to address basic (fundamental, pure) questions addressing core principles in biology, physics and chemistry or at the disciplinary boundaries between these fields. Competitive submissions are expected to be rich in innovative ideas and approaches with the potential for generating transformative intellectual advances. Up to four awards at a maximum of $300,000 over two years ($150,000 per year) are awarded.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. TThere must be at least two investigators identified on the research project. All principal and co-investigators must hold primary appointments within a Pennsylvania institution of higher education. One faculty member must be identified at the Principal Investigator, and the PI’s institution as the lead institution. Other investigators should be identified as co-investigators. All principal and co-investigators must be either United States citizens or lawful permanent residents by the LOI deadline.     Investigators must have one of the following: Full-time tenure. Tenure-track appointment.Independent research faculty appointment (with evidence of an independent research program).The investigators should reflect expertise in distinct disciplines or subdisciplines in biology, chemistry or physics. While these disciplines and subdisciplines can be broadly defined, it should be clear that different approaches are represented at addressing a specific research question. Please indicate the discipline(s) in which the research is grounded.The proposed research must be a new initiative and not currently funded from other sources.Only one Letter of Intent from each team of investigators is permitted. An eligible institution may submit multiple LOIs from different researchers and distinct projects.A faculty member may not be a Principal Investigator on more than one proposal, but the investigator may be included as a co-investigator on more than one proposal.Principal Investigators on grants previously funded in the New Initiative category from the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation are eligible to apply as a Principal Investigator in the New Initiative grant category after a final report has been received.The research must be curiosity-driven, addressing fundamental processes but in the context of their potential application for the betterment of humankind. The research must be focused within the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics or at the boundaries between these disciplines.