Eric and Wendy Schmidt Transformative Technology Fund
This grant funds high-risk, high-reward technology innovations with the potential to transform research in science and engineering at Princeton University.
Funder: Princeton University
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per project, typically over 1–2 years
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-reward technology innovations that could transform research in science and engineering at Princeton University.
Key Information: Open only to Princeton tenured/tenure-track faculty and eligible research staff.
Description
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Transformative Technology Fund at Princeton University provides substantial support for the invention, development, or innovative application of groundbreaking technologies with the potential to transform research in the natural sciences and engineering. Established with a $25 million endowment, the fund is specifically designed to back high-risk, high-reward projects, accepting the possibility of failure in pursuit of major scientific breakthroughs. Projects might involve disruptive new technologies, transformative research equipment, or novel applications that enable new lines of inquiry or significantly enhance existing methodologies. Proposals are evaluated for their alignment with the fund’s objectives, innovativeness, significance, and potential impact, with final decisions made by the university president.
