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University of Wisconsin–Madison

Keck Foundation Research Program 2027 (June Cycle)

Posted September 25, 2026
To:Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators
From:Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Date:September 25, 2026
Subject:Keck Foundation Research Program 2027 (June Cycle)

Deadline

Deadline for Deadline for Internal Review:October 21, 2026

Project Description

This announcement replaces the June cycle internal competition that was distributed in April. The Keck Foundation is introducing a new application process to enable more responsive grantmaking and create a streamlined process for applicants. Significant changes include:  

  • The Keck Foundation will no longer require concept paper submissions or host pre-application concept consultations
  • A single proposal submission will replace the previous multi-phase submission process
  • Institutions may submit up to three application per cycle, not limited to any area of science

 

The Keck Foundation Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Basic Science Research projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. The program is looking for projects that aim to deliver pioneering and fundamental scientific discoveries in important and emerging areas of research. They fund high-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation development and engineering approaches in service of answering basic scientific questions

The Keck Foundation Research Program supports early-stage, high-risk basic science with the potential to open new fields or rewrite textbooks. They are not a funder of disease-specific research, translational or applied work, optimization of existing techniques, or incremental extensions of established research directions or methods. They welcome work that other funders consider too early, too speculative, or too far from the prevailing paradigm. They do not require preliminary data or evidence that a federal agency has declined funding for the proposed work. Please see this link for additional detail on what Keck funds and does not fund.

Funding Priorities:

  • High-impact research in basic physical, life, and biomedical sciences, including instrumentation and engineering in service of basic science
  • Pioneering, fundamental discoveries in important and emerging research areas
  • Novel approaches that are distinctive, innovative, field-expanding, and challenge existing paradigms

 

Amount per Award: Awards are typically $1 – 1.3 million (indirect costs are not permitted)
Duration of Award: 3 Years
Number of Awards:  The number of grants made varies each year.

Interested PIs are encouraged to review prospective applicant information for additional information on program priorities and grant abstracts for examples of previously funded projects.

Eligibility

UW-Madison may submit three applications per grant cycle.

Please note: Each department may submit materials for one researcher to the Keck Foundation Research Program 2027 (June Cycle) internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.

Website

The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://www.wmkeck.org/research-overview/

Internal Competition Application Instructions

Applications for Internal Review

To submit your application, please email a single PDF to grants@research.wisc.edu no later than October 21, 2026. Please include the following:

  • Cover Sheet, with PI name, contact information, and title of the project. Please include a statement indicating that your department chair has reviewed and approved your application and has selected you as the department’s sole nominee for this internal competition.
  • PI Biosketch in NIH or NSF SciENcv format
  • A three-page summary of the proposed project that addresses the following requirements from Keck’s Application Instructions:
    • State of the Field and the Gap
    • Approach
    • Feasibility

Sponsor Deadlines

Applications are due to Keck Foundation by December 07, 2026.

Questions?

Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.