INSPIRING NOVEL SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION
The Kaufman Foundation funds fundamental, curiosity-driven research in biology, chemistry, and physics at Pennsylvania institutions, supporting both early-career and established investigators in interdisciplinary projects.
Funder: Pittsburgh Foundation
Due Dates: March 27, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | July 24, 2026 (Full proposal, if invited)
Funding Amounts: New Initiative: Up to $300,000 over 2 years; New Investigator: Up to $150,000 over 2 years.
Summary: Supports fundamental, curiosity-driven research in biology, chemistry, and physics at Pennsylvania higher education institutions, with separate tracks for new and established investigators.
Key Information: Only Pennsylvania institutions eligible; interdisciplinary and fundamental research focus.
Description
The Kaufman Foundation, administered by the Pittsburgh Foundation, provides competitive research funding to support innovative, fundamental research in biology, chemistry, and physics at Pennsylvania colleges and universities. The program is divided into two main tracks:
- New Investigator Research Grants: For early-career faculty transitioning to independence.
- New Initiative Research Grants: For established investigators launching new interdisciplinary collaborations.
Both tracks emphasize curiosity-driven, basic research with the potential for transformative impact, especially at the boundaries of these scientific disciplines.
