Keck Foundation: Research Grant Program

Keck Foundation: Research Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: W. M. Keck Foundation
Amount: US $1,000,000 - US $5,000,000
Last Updated: October 08, 2025

Summary

The W. M. Keck Foundation's Research Grant Program funds innovative medical research and engineering projects that challenge existing paradigms and explore new territories. Eligible applicants include research universities and independent institutes. Grants support groundbreaking technologies and methodologies, with emphasis on high-risk projects that could lead to transformative impacts. However, funding excludes general operating expenses and grants to individuals. The Foundation awards grants biannually, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches.

Overview

NOTE: The Foundation awards grants twice annually in June and December. The Research Program employs a two-phase application process with optional pre-application counseling.  The Letter of Inquiry deadline above represents the optional pre-application counseling deadline. Program Overview The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Medical Research and Science & Engineering projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of funded projects.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Research universities, medical colleges and major private independent scientific and medical research institutes are eligible to apply to the Research Program.Organizations must provide:An IRS determination letter demonstrating exemption from federal taxation as defined by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and designating one of the following:A public charity as defined by Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) or 170(b)(A)(I-VI) of the Internal Revenue Code. An exempt operating foundation as defined by Section 4940(d)(2).A California FTB letter demonstrating exemption from California State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, if located in the State of California. Current full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. If in existence less than five years, the organization must be able to provide at least two consecutive full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis. The most recently filed complete Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), including Public Charity Status and Public Support (Schedule A).Any organization designated as an exempt operating foundation must be able to provide the most recently filed complete Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF) in place of Form 990.If the Organization:Will be part of a collaborative project, the lead institution must be identified and all members must meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements. We may request additional documentation from the other members of the collaboration. Is a government unit as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(v) and (c)(1) and, therefore, does not receive a determination letter as to such organization’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, the organization must submit a Declaration of Status signed by the organization’s Chief Executive or President and by its Chief Legal Officer. The declaration must specify:the federal, state or local laws pursuant to which the organization is created and governed; whether the organization also is a school as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), hospital or medical research institute as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) or other organization described in Section 170(b) that the organization is legally and financially responsible for its debts; and that the organization is not a non-operating private foundation within the meaning of Section 509.Is part of a group that received a determination letter as to such group’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, such organization must provide such determination letter that identifies such organization as part of such group. Such organization must also provide an attestation as to the continued group status of such organization. Such attestation must be signed by the organization’s chief executive or president and by its chief legal officer. The Form 990 required for such organization may be the Form 990 of the group.Legal:All tax-exempt documentation, audited financial statements and the Form 990 must be in the same, current and full name of the qualifying organization. We will consider the management and fiscal condition of an institution when reviewing an institution for eligibility.The Parties to a grant agreement will agree it is deemed to have been entered into in the County of Los Angeles, State of California; and, California law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the grant provisions.We Fund Projects That:Focus on important and emerging areas of research Have potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation, or methodologies Are innovative, distinctive, and interdisciplinary Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches or challenge the prevailing paradigm Have potential for transformative impact such as the founding of a new field of research, enabling of new observations, or altering perception of a previously intractable problem Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies Demonstrate that W. M. Keck Foundation support is essential to the project’s success

Ineligibility

Not Eligible for Funding:General operating expenses, endowments, or deficit reduction Grants to individuals Public policy research General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners, or mass mailings Book publication and film productions Conference or seminar sponsorship Medical devices and translational research Treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development Capital ProjectsIneligible for funding:Grants to individuals Private foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizations Institutions that are located outside the United States Institutions that do not have at least three consecutive years of full, certified, audited financial statements Institutions that do not have a tax-exempt ruling from the federal government and (if located in California) the State of California; or if a government unit, do not provide a signed Declaration of Status Institutions that are subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements “Conduit” organizations, unified funds or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals