Kleberg Foundation: Medical Research Grant

Kleberg Foundation: Medical Research Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation
Last Updated: February 16, 2026

Summary

The Kleberg Foundation offers grants for innovative medical research proposals that significantly impact scientific knowledge and human health. Priority is given to IRS-registered, tax-exempt organizations with prior funding relationships. New applicants must submit a pre-request, as the Foundation only considers projects from established institutions. Ineligibility includes individuals, community organizations outside Kleberg County, and requests for operational funding. This grant aims to support groundbreaking research in both basic and applied biology.

Overview

NOTE: At this time, the Foundation will not be accepting applications or pre-requests for medical research studies from organizations that have not received any funding in the past ten years. Funding is highly competitive and Priority is given to organizations with whom the Foundation has had a long-standing relationship, preferably in Texas. In June 2022, the Board added an initial screening step for organizations that have not received a medical research study award in the past eight years. These institutions should submit the Medical Research Study Pre-Request and NOT the full application. The Board will then decide if they would like to receive a full application during the following grant cycle. The Foundation is seeking highly innovative and groundbreaking medical research proposals from top-tier institutions in both basic biological and applied research that will have the greatest impact on scientific knowledge and human health. Proposals should be distinctive and novel in their approaches, question the prevailing paradigm, and lead to the advancement of knowledge in the field. A highly qualified scientific advisory committee will review all proposals.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Foundation supports IRS-registered, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations with a public charity status of 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), or public universities under section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.Medical research institutions may submit one application each grant cycle, regardless if they have an open grant, and regardless of the number of affiliated entities within the institution.

Ineligibility

Project support beyond a period of three years will generally not be considered. As a general policy the Foundation does not support:Individuals;Community, health and education organizations that serve clients outside of Kleberg and its surrounding counties of South Texas;Operating or general endowments;Deficit financing;Appeals for religious purposes or organizations limited by race or religion;Propaganda organizations or committees whose efforts are aimed at influencing legislation;Table sponsorships;Fundraising events or advertising;Indirect costs or overhead for projects;Other granting agencies, foundations or pass through organizations.