Mathers Foundation Award Fall 2026
| To: | Chairs and Administrators, Departments in the Biological Sciences; Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research |
| Date: | May 20, 2026 |
| Subject: | Mathers Foundation Award Fall 2026 |
Deadline
| Deadline for Internal Review: | June 17, 2026 |
Project Description
The Mathers Foundation supports pivotal scientific research that advances knowledge, enhances human health, and fosters innovation. The Foundation empowers researchers whose work holds the greatest promise for advancing humankind and medicine, driving meaningful, long-term contributions to science and society.
Examples of current research areas supported: immunology, microbiome, structural biology, cellular physiology, cancer biology, genetics, genomics, microbiology and infectious diseases, stem cell biology, and neuroscience.
Research areas NOT supported: Covid-19, plant biology (including plant microbiome), oceanography, space exploration, global warming, agriculture and herbicide research, clinical trials or drug discovery, vaccine development, ecology, and environment.
Investigators should focus on novel, basic research projects with translational potential that would not be suitable for federal support.
Amount per award: $700,000
Duration of award: 3 years
Eligibility
Applicants must be independent investigators with their own fully functional and equipped labs.
Please note: Each department may submit materials for one researcher to the Mathers Foundation Award Fall 2026 internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.
UW-Madison may submit up to three applications per grant cycle.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://mathersfoundation.org/?page_id=485
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
To submit your application, attach a single PDF to an email to: grants@research.wisc.edu
Please include the following information:
- Cover page with PI name, contact information, title of the project, and list of potential collaborators
- PI CV or NIH Biosketch
- Research project summary of no more than two pages providing a description of how the proposed project meets the goals of the solicitation
Sponsor Deadlines
Letters of Intent are due to G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation by July 31, 2026. Applications are due to G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation by September 18, 2026.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.