Duke University is seeking cutting-edge science, engineering, and medical research projects to consider for presentation to the W.M. Keck Foundation. Because Keck will accept a maximum of two proposals (one each in science/engineering and medical research) from the university, Duke is conducting an internal review process to identify and select competitive ideas. The internal deadline for the RFA is Dec. 13, 2013 and the external deadline is May 1, 2014. The request amount is up to $1 million.
Description
The Keck Foundation supports “pioneering discoveries in science, engineering, and medical research” that fall outside the mission of NIH, NSF and other public funding agencies.” The Foundation strives to fund endeavors that are distinctive and novel in their approach. It encourages projects that are high-risk with the potential for transformative impact. "High-risk" comprises a number of factors, including questions that push the edge of the field, present unconventional approaches to intractable problems, or challenge the prevailing paradigm. "Transformative" may mean creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives.
To make grant determinations, the Foundation relies upon a wide range of input, including assessments by its professional staff, site visits (where appropriate), peer reviews, the latest available scientific information in print, and presentations by experts in scientific, medical and health and human service fields.
By funding the high-risk/high-impact work of leading researchers, we are laying the groundwork for new paradigms, technologies and discoveries that will save lives, provide innovative solutions, and add to our understanding of the world. Both Senior and Early Career investigators are encouraged to apply.
Science and Engineering Research Programs
The Science and Engineering Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to intractable problems, push the edge of their field, or question the prevailing paradigm. Past grants have been awarded to support pioneering science and engineering research and the development of promising new technologies, and to facilitate the purchase of advanced instruments where such instruments would further research ideas.
Medical Research
The Medical Research Program seeks to advance the frontiers of medicine to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to intractable problems, push the edge of their field, or question the prevailing paradigm. Past grants have been awarded to major universities and independent research institutions to support pioneering biological research and the development of promising new technologies, and to facilitate the purchase of advanced instruments where such instruments would further research ideas. Research projects should focus on basic research and not be clinical in nature. Medical research projects conducted in hospitals are not eligible.
Keck’s Programmatic Criteria
Projects for which one or more of the following applies:
- Focus on emerging areas of research at the forefront of science, engineering, or medical research
- Have the potential to lead to breakthrough technologies
- Are innovative, distinctive, and interdisciplinary
- Demonstrate a high level of risk in that the research pushes the edge of its field, represents unconventional approaches to intransigent problems, or challenges the prevailing paradigm
- Have the potential for transformative impact, such as creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of new knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives. Keck does not fund equipment for equipment’s sake; the science and methodology is paramount.
- Fall outside the mission of NIH, NSF, and other public funding agencies
- Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W.M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project’s success
- Abstract: Provide an executive summary of this project, including overall goal, methodology and significance, for a well-educated lay audience.
- Unique Aspects: Describe unique or distinctive aspects of this project.
- Key Personnel: Name the key personnel.
- Budget: State total cost of this project and the amount to be requested from the Keck Foundation. Describe how funds requested from Keck will be allocated among capital, personnel and equipment. Identify other sources of support for the project; these can be potential sources rather than funds in hand. Keck does not provide overhead.
- Justification for WMKF support: Explain why support from the Keck Foundation is essential for this project.